Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1881-02-12
HOW UNCLE'DAD FOUND 1T OUT.

spirits. It's jolly thing to be put dowI
as sole legatee in a rich mans wills
jolly thing not only for the fortunate in
dividual himself, but for his friends, als(
if they knew how to play their cards
properly. ~
"By George, you're lucky dog, Dickr
cried an enthusiastic youth across the
table. "Why haven't more of us got un-
cles like Medad Whistler-nice old par
ties. who 90 off about their business, gain
fortunes, and come back to leave them
to their nephews, instead of hanging
round home to ScOld and find fault, and
cutting You off in the end with theil
blessing and lot of trumpery good ad
vice?"
"The drawback is" sighed Richard
GOssett, "that uncleS with fortunes to
leave, as class, are prOverbially tough
There Uncle Dad Whistler, nOw-he's
past sixty; but he looks good for every
day of ninety; and, as for tOughness, old
Joe Bagstock was nothing to him."
"StilI," replied the other. ".he prospect
Is far from discOuraging. Your uncle is a
man of plethOric habit and sumptuOus
liver; so there is fair contingency of
apOplexy to count on
A round of applause and bumpers
greeted this speech.
But you've never told US, GOssett, how
YOUR old nabob came to cut off his other
nephew. YOUR cousin, Oliver Lambert
whom everybody thought his prime favor
lite, and leave.eyerything to you"
"A family secret" said Dick, with a
wise shake of the head.
Come out with it like a good fellow"
urged an inquisitive youth with Cos
ling-down mustache; we're all friends
here"
"But l promised Uncle Dad never to
tell it. and if he heard had leaked, it
would be worth my place in his will"
"Pshawl it's as safe with us as with
yourself; you ought to know that"
You'll never mention it them"
"Neverp they all answered in chorus.
"'POn hOnOr?'
Honor brightp
q Had Dick had less wine and more wit
aboard. he might have hesitated to i'm
part family secret to half-a dozen boon
cOmpaniOns under the belief that it
would go no further. But he had taken
just champagne enough to make him
confidential and communicative.
This was the secret as Dick diyulged
it:
ION divers last birthday, Uncle Dad
inclOsed him check for handsome
sum. Afterward, when Uncle Dads ac-
count was balanced at the banks and his
checks returned, it was discovered that
this particular one had been raised to
double the original amount, which in
creased the sum Oliver had drawn;
though on being questioned, he had no
knowledge of the alteration,
But Uncle BAD was not man to be
easily deceived. It'was plain that for
gerry had been committed; and as the
check had been inclOsed to Oliver direct
ly and presented by himself, who else
could have committed the Offense?
"Uncle Dad was as prompt to act as to
decide. Oliver was given his choice be-
tween going to prison and leaving the
country, Uncle Dad engaging, if he chose
the latter course, to furnish him with
the means of living till an opportunity
offered of earning his own support
(which explains. no doubt" struck in
he of the callOw mustache, "Mr. Lam
bert's late mysterious departure, and his
perfidiOuS deSertiOn of SelinO Jasmyn, to
whom they say he was engaged"
Exactly" said Dick.
"Why don't you cut in again for the
lady yourself, now that the coasts clear?'
suggested one.
Dick gave knowing wink, which as
good as said:
"Do you take me for fool not to have
thought of that befOrew
Just then messenger entered and
placed note in Dicks hand. He glanced
at the contents and started up wildly.
Listen to this, bOysw he exclaimed, in
a tone and manner which left his friends
in doubt whether it was good or bad
news their attention was invited to.
Listen to this?"-and then he read.
"A mans body has Just been found lying on
the sidewalk and identified as that of your
Uncle Aedad, to whose house it has been taken.
i advise you to repair thither at once, as a
man coming into such a fortune can not look
after his interests too promptly.
Your sincere friend,
W. FRANK WIMPLE.''
Dick Gossett without waiting to hear
the congratulations which poured in
from every Side, snatched his hat and
was of.
The double pull he gave his uncle's
dOOr-bell. was answered by the house
keeper. i.
"Un-uncle-'Dadr he painted, out of
breath.
.They CARRIED him up to his own
room, believe" snapped the house keep
er, CURLY, with the air of one who had
no patience with such carrying on as a
sudden death in the family.
Dick hurried to his uncle's chamber,
which he was surprised to find untenant-
ed, save by the body, which lay upon the
bed covered by counterpart.
He advanced as if to remove the cover
ing from the face, but stayed his hand
without doing so. He had always hOr-
rOr OF looking at corpse, especially
when alone with it.
Turning his back on the body he flung
himself into an easy-chair, rubbing his
hands gleefully.
ESQ you're dead at last. are you, you
wonId be old Methuselahp' he said, with
a Jerk of his head toward the remains.
"This is my property now, and it's not
long You'll stay here as treSspasser.
/ I'll call i'm the undertaken at once, and
nav him extra to make quick job of
yOu."
Dick started and looked back quickly.
He was almost sure he had heard low
qrunt in the direction OF the corpse, and
q slight rustic of the cOunterpane. But
no everything looked as before, and per-
feet silence reigned. His ears must
have deceived him. -
you're smart fellow, Dick" he said,
comendingly, tapping his not over we'll
developed forehead smart lei
low, there's no denying it. lts not every