Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-02

lust at this time. You are the family lawyer
maybe 20
II am not aware that there is any family
lawyer" said Mr. Erskine, coldly. ''I am &
friend of Mrs. May and her daughter, as sta
ted before and, may add, friend to whom
their interests are as important as his own
Pray proceed"
Call right. Will you, Mr.. Erskine, kindly
cast your eye over this paper?"
He laid before that gentlemen, as he spoke
soiled looking document, and watched him
keenly as he read it.
A look of surprise and incredulity spread
itself upon Mr. Erskine's face.
1t was note for a large amount, endorsed by
DR.. May, and bearing date of several years
back.
elias this never been paid % Mr.. Erskine
asked.
"Of course not. You see, it was an old affair
between me and friend of mine, a fellow, he
was, who knew Dr. May well. He'd done him
some service, once on time, and SO went to
get him to help him when he got into trouble.
He came to me to borrow money, which l
wasn't over-willing to lend him-not that l
thought him dishonorable at all, but simply
knew he'd never be able to pay it back. A
od-for-nothing, shiftless fellow he was,
though kinl-hearted and good-tempered I
hated to disoblige him. Well, he says to me,
Jack says he, 'I'm terrible hard pushed ;
III be your everlasting debtor if you'll lend me
this money How'll ever get it back p says
I, feeling in my mind that he was likely
enough to he my everlasting debtor, though
not in the sense he meant and that notion
didn't suit me. oh, that's all right says
he; If you won't trust me, I can easily get a
gentleman's signature which is as good as gold
itself you won't refuse me the loan on that
security, / guess So L inquired, and found
out that Dr. May was good for the amount,
sure enough, and considerable over so I said
it was all right Well, loaned him the mon
ey and, as might have been expected, never
heard any more of it afterwardS,'
''And how does it come that you never ap-
piled to Dr. May for payment % asked Mr..
Erskine.
s'Oh, we'll, didn't need it. had stroke
of luck in falling heir to little property, and
then went aDroad-and had good many ad-
ventures there, one way or another, which l
needn't relate. They mightn't interest you,
and time is short besides. In fact I put the
note aside and almost forgot about it. But at
last got into difficulties, and then I thought
what God-send it would be to me if I could
get this money now. Then I found out DR..
May was dead {; but the estates good for it,
guess
Mr.. Erskine was silent for few minutes !;
then he said, quietly
GAS I am not acquainted with the state OF
Mrs. Nays pecuniary affairs, and this matter,
of course, is quite new to me, I am in no way
qualified to express an opinion on the subject.
1 shall put it, however, into lawyers hands
Immediately, and when it has been properly
investigated, you shall hear from one of us on
the subject"
s'It's all fair and square, anyway" said Mr..
Skinner, rather blusteringly. CDR. Mays sig
nature can easily he proved there's no doubt
about that whatever"
''I have no desire to dispute the point, ," re-
joined Mr. Erskine. ''It may he, as you say,
fair and square but of course it is a case which
demands inquiry. You can leave me to speak to
Mrs. May about it. I wish to save her all the
annoyance that possibly can, for her poor
health, and the great af1iction which has re-
Gently befallen her, render her quite unfit to
bear any fresh trouble"
II should like to see her if I could" said
Mr.. Skinner, regretfully 81 might learn some
thing more definite from her, which would be
a Satisfacton-''
''You cannot see her, sir, :" said Mr.. Erskine,
with decision that left room for no appeal.
"This diSagreeable business shall be settled as
soon as practicable. Will you leave me your
address 20
ooh certainly, I'll leave you my address
how would you find me if I didn't ?" was Mr..
SINNERS reply, given with some attempt at
jocularity. Maybe you won't be in too great
hurry to hunt me up but you'll hear from
me again before long"
Mr.. Erskine did not appreciate this pleasant
as the matter is placed in proper hands," he
rejoined, severely. Il presume you have no
farther claim upon my time 20
'No-none. l suppose that means you want
me to co." said Mr. Skinner, rising, but ap-
parently not whit abashed. "Well, I'll
oblige you. You'll speak to the widow, and
put things in proper light. Please to make
her understand deeply regret, etc., etc. If
number one didn't naturally come first, moth
ing would induce me to press this claim. But
Mr.. Erskine," (he had caught the name very
quickly from hearing it on Sophy's lips) "Ihope,
really hope, there won't be any necessary delay
in having it settled, for Pm poor man, am,
indeed have been deuced unlucky in my
business affairs ; never was sharp enough to
get on in the world"
"There shall be no delay" said Mr.. Erskine,
holding open the door. 'Good-morning, sir. "
And Mr.. Skinner, having carefully bundled up
his papers and returned them to his vest pock-
ct, withdrew.
No sooner was Sophy advised of his depart
ure, then she returned to the parlor, anxious
to know the nature of the conference which
had just taken place.
"Was it al ytling dreadful, Mr.. Erskine
felt almost sure it was, he was such horrible
looking man,
''It was in regard to a little money-matter,
trouble yourself with, he replied. "I'll lhave
it properly settled for you, if your mother will
empower me to do sO.'
''You are only too good ; but 1 am sure
mamma will want to know exactly what it is.
see by your face that there is something
wrong"
"My face has no business to tell tales" he
| ,o;oinod cmilinp tiRacidas how do Won kno1y