Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-11-23
A PLOT FOR A FORTUNE.

~ Il never expected It. l know my stare quite
as wsn as you'll haven't years life in me-.
Now don't begin to talk the usual rubbish; you
ought to know me we'll enough by this time.
Can YOU give me six MONTHS"
'tNot in England"
s'Where?"
''Somewhere in the South - say Nice OF
Cannes Nice by preference.
Gall right Nice by all means When can
trayel?'
s'Early next week, if you rest the remainder
of this"
Mr. Fletcher gave dissatisfied grunt as he
turned himself in his bed.
'Icok here Mpland," he sold, when he
had settled hmsef into new position; 'Gf
you think that at MY time Of life I'm going to
CAD about foreign countries, by myself you're
mistaken You'll have to come with me. o."
The doctor smiled; he was pleasantly sur
prise0 t., near his patient make the suggestion,
but he did not wish him to see how gratihed be
was.
''Whatis 70 become OF my practice mean
while1" hs asked.
''Oh, your practice must take care Of itself;
look upon this journey as holiday taken
rather earlier than usual See me safely to
Nice, put me into the hands Of good doctor
there, and then YOU can leave me to end my
days in peace. | think You will co that for
three hundred and expenses?"
II would do it for less" was Maitland's re-
ply 49, - .,
you we'll know, to pay we'll for what people do
for me. What do you suppose I want 10 keep
my money for: l can't take it with me, can I,
eh 2"
'sNot beyond Nice," replied the young doctor,
using the freedom which this eccentric patron
liked
Good, and I shan't want much there;
can't make much Of p hole III my property ia
six mouths. however hard try; though be-
lieve that young scamp, Of a nephe" OF mine
will grudge my daily drive"
Maitland was silent; it was not his place to
foster the breach between uncle and nephew,
whatever his private opinion Of Fred Dexter's
character might be.
'You have father, haven't you:" ashed the
old gentleman, after pause.
eyes; no Is stiIi living"
'sIhen tt eat hlm better than my son treated
me; it will make him happier, if it doesn't
make you"
81 wish you would let me speak to you about
your son." said Maitland.
''Thank you; I'd sooner hear you on any
other subject"
Il don't often trouble you with this one"
mo: or should change my DOCTOR"
''You have done him iajnslice, at all events"
said Maitland rather warmly, 'and think you
will live to repent it."
'sIn that case you must make me live longer
than you profess to be able to do,' retorted
the invalid. 'Dou'I renew the subject, please,
till ak you. Coma in TO- morrow and we will
make final arrangements about the Journey"
Maitland knew MIR. Fletcher intimately
enough to know that the interview
He left the room and proceeded on his round
of afternoon visits, reaching his small house
about al hour before diuner.
- letter Yves waiting for him. It was d.
rected in q lady's hand and bore the postmark
of Nice. Ho read it through twice. apparently
enjoying the perusal; then he lay back in his
char and thought
Sits stroke of good fortune, most decided
ly," be sol; opn'zod. Amy is at Nice, and
now shall be able to go and 500 her, That
will be b pleasant surprise for her, hope.
I'm afraid she doesn't get 100 MANY Of them.
Luckily Mr.. Fletcher will never guess the rea-
son of my recommending Nice; after all, it is
just as good for him as any other place, and l
may be dong him ~ greater service than he
dreams of ii taking him there. if things fall
out as they should"
In Tho midst Of this revere the servant en-
tered, bringing him another letter.
'Please, sir, this came this morning, but
you don't seam to have seen it."
Mailaua opHned it, not with the. alacr:ty he
had shown with the first 1t ran thus:
DEAR MA1TLANDHow is the old boy? This
question will SAVIOR of uepotie affection or inter
ested selfshness: YOU may take your own meaning:
ask because am among the SHARKS again, and
accumuations, they are Unsuitable want to
know. as matter OF business how long he is likely
to linger on the earth il he has made will in my
favor, he kEews yer; we'll shall not be sorry TO
get i. proved. Why should hesitate to own as
truth that which he taunts me- with every time we
meet? Could you lend me fifty til the time comes?
about my uncle; can bear it even if you give
him five years longer shall bear it still better ii
you coutne MIN to five months. Yours,
"Heartless brutal" thought Maitland on fin
ishiDg, Though certainly he never makes a
prelense of beng anything else. It's fortunate
for him that his uncle knows so little about
him, or his chances Of succession would be
considerably smaller"
He scribbel note in reply to the letter,
simply informing Dexter Of his uncle's intend
ed journey and of his state IF health. He
omitted to give any opinion as to the probable
length Of h is tenure Of life.
DR.. Maitland WAS still q young man in his
profession, though he was thirty -four years OF
age. He had entered it late. His prospects
were fairly good, but hitherto his practice had
been restricted. In country town it takes
time for q new man to make a position, as
every family Of standing already possess q
medical man and is unwilling to change How
ever. he did not despair Of getting on. He had
every reason for wishing to do so, for he was
DESTROYS of getting married H. was not yet
even engaged; he had secret reasons for not
proposing st present to the girl he loved.
Whether he would ever be in position to do
30 was moro than he could as get foresee.
Mr. Fletcher had been his patient during the
practice This was partly because he had
quarreled with all the other medical men Of
the town, but chiefly for a reason that he
would mover own. This was that Maitland had
been grea, friend many years before Of his
only son Charlie.
Charles Fletcher was of a very different
stamp from his father The latter was, as a
rule, selfish aud arrogant-diligent in business
aJld economical in habits. Ho had bred his
hon up in his own footsteps, but had found
ho not h1S ahar aafn hn
wished. Charlie was inclined to extravaganza,
held the opinion that money was OF no use IN
less spent, thought that life should be valued
for its opportunities of pleasure rather than
Of gain, and in countless ways ran counter to
his fathers lifelong maaims Quarrel fol-
lowed quarrel; the fact that he loved his son
80 well only made the father more bitterly re-
sent the wasn't Of affection and respect with
which he was treated, till one day the crisis
arrived e. %S{ s Ri. s Fl ~ = :.
Mr.: Fletcher had determined that his son
should marry early, hoping by this means to
make him settle down. He informed him Of
his wishes accordingly, pointing out that he in-
tended to make his future prospects depend on
the propriety OF his selection. Charlie post
poned the matter as long as possible, until at
last confession became inevitable He was
married already s ss%zSSs .8lssl. y
This put stop to all hope OF reconciliation.
There was 8 violent scene, during which The
father refused to recognize the marriage, and
told his son he must shift for himself This
Charlie said he was quite ready to do, and that
his fsther need not fear any application for
Il assistance from him II money made men be-
hare like his father, the less he had Of it the
better. $ fsEs s ss{
year afterward Charles Fletcher died IN
q Paris bis father refused even to make in
curry as to his wife. but was informed shortly
afserward Of her death, also. by = paper sent TO