Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1881-06-29
JACK HOwARD'S INHERITANCE.

HOW HE LOST IT.
you can have her for the asking
Il shall not ask
"You will not?'
II will not.
John Howard, uncle, short, corpu-
lent, irascible, confronted John How
ard, nephew, tall, clean-limbed, imper-
turbable.
"Why?" demanded the former, an
grily.
"She is woman for whom / have
no respect. She is hard, scheming
woman Of the world"
"She is no worse than any society
woman"
"God pity the class |" was young
Towards sole reply.
"Who are YOU that you should judge
this girl " demanded his uncle, pacing
the floor with short, rapid strides. "Gou
with your dissipated habits and the
reputation of being the fastest man in
your set. What if she be fiirt? What
if she be called FAST 1t would puzzle
the worst Of her sex to keep the place
you have been going for the past five
years. Who are you, say, that YOU
should judge her!"
Merely the man whom you would
have her marry" said his nephew,
twisting his heavy mustache caresslng-
". similarity of tastes in the pur-
suits you have so aptly mentioned ought
certainly to render US mutually for
bearing, but would hardly conduce to
the moral improvement of either. AT
all events l respectfully decline to put
the matter to the test"
you are ungrateful, sir" exclaim-
ed the old man, pauslng in his walk
and confronting his nephew. Have l
no claims upon your gratitude, after
all the care and money expended upon
you these years T.
A slow flush rose to the young man {
cheek, and the sleepy, dark eyes, gained
a slumbering fire as he drew himself
up to the full height Of his six feet.
Il admit my obligations, sir; but, be-
leve me, had / been aware that YOU
were simply enhancing my value as a
,alable article would have declined
your generosity In any way consist
ent with my manhood l am ready to
attest my gratitude for your kindness.
But what you ask is absolutely impos-
sible."
Then you are no nephew of mine.
fhe old man was purple with rage. 81
disown you, sir! an ungrateful dog
sir an ungrateful dog / shall alter
my will at once, sir y
And, muttering maledictions on the
youth who stood so calmly under the
TRADE, the old gentleman moved to his
secretary, and almost Immediately re-
turned with parchment roll in his
trembling hands. 81 disown you, sir
my home is yours no longer. There
are your hopes and expectations. And
the old man pointed to the parchment
cracking and writhing in the fame OF
the open CRATE.
"You have relieved me Of n great
obligation, sir. The rest Of my debt
hope to discharge soon," said Jack
carefully examining the end of hi:
cigar. "Your wish regarding our sep
arate establishments shall be attended
to at once. Have you any other sug
gestions to make ?"
"Out Of my sight, sir, at once Y
shouted the old man.
Explicit, though unkind," laughed
Jack, as he sauntered from the room.
kendall, can you tell me the sun
total Of the bills my uncle has paid 70
me during the past ten years. inquir
ed Jack, few hours later, as he stoo,
by the old book-keeper's desk in hi
uncle's Office.
"Wby, yes, in little WHILE" an
swered the old man.
BE SO kind, theD," And Jack be
came Immediately immersed in tn
stock columns Of the morning paper.
For half an hour there was silenc
between the pair. Then the old clerl
handed the young man slip of paper
"You are sure it covers all I"
Eyes. Mr.. Howard always ha,
your account kept separate for som
reason and bad only to run over tn
totals"
Howard sauptered into bis broker
private Office, the slip of paper in hi
vest pocket