The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-11-29


long after the clods Of the prairie were
hcaped above your breast. God bless
Lalona, the Wichita dove!"
For three days we fingered at the
trappers' settlement, treated With the
greatest Kindness, for these fnen who
live such free, wild lives, never do any
thing by halves. Ii they start ont to
revenge wrong, woe to the man who
has incurred their displeasure, but if
q deed Is done that merits regard and
there is no peril, no sacrifice,
they will not undergo for your sake.
A small company of traders stopped
with the trappers one night on their
way to Arkansas City. Edgar and my
self accompanied them. As yet Edgar
felt no worse for his ride over the
prairie on the night of onr escape from
the Kiowas, but rs day after day passed,
and we still journeyed through the
rough mountainous country, the hectic
flush dtepencd on his cheeks, the hack
ing cough grew more troublesome. Ifelt
almost condemned for bringing the boy
through the hardships we were forced
to undergo. But had not the heart
to leave him behind among strangers
and ! could not tarry with him. / had
been away from home over three
months, but my business required my
presence, and l could delay no longer.
At Arkansas City we disposed Of our
horses and boarded the cars. As we
sped eastward the excitement of the
ever-changing scene buoyed up Edgar's
spirits and kept him from realizing his
weakness. It was new world to him.
The evcr-changing landscape, the noisy
rush Of civilization, were like the
fitting pictures of Kaleidoscope that
he never tired Of. But when, after we
were home and my mother had taken
Edgar into her loving heart to fill the
niche left vacant by my brothers death,
We could see him failing daily. I had
gone at once into my old place in the
great banking house where / had spent
SO many years. During my absence,
Edgar, so my mother told me, spent
the most Of his time lyine on the couch
in our cosy parlor, or lounging in the
easy chair before the glowing fire.
II am afraid, Roy, that you have
only brought Edgar home to bury him, /"
said mother, one evening after he had
retired. "Dr. Marlin dropped in to-
day, as You asked him to, and he says
the boy will never see the spring open. !"
Her words made my heat ache, for
/ had learned to love the gentle boy,
who watched with eager eve for my
home coming. One morning Just be-
fore the Holidays, he handed me the
little caskct I had carried from the
cabin that night.
Il wish, Roy, you would get key to
open this, said he. Il am curious to
see what it contains"
"Haye you never opened it ?" l asked
in surprise.
"No, after father died 1 could find
no KEY and did not ike to break it."
So I carried the little box with me,
hal key fitted in tho tiny lock, and
gave it to linn that evening after we
We're gathered around the tca-tsble.
He unlocked the box with nervous
fingers and took out folded paper tied
with red tape.
Not much after all" said he, with a
disappointed air.
Examine it, my boy said 7. III
may be worth more than You think
for"
Even as spoke. the boy grew pale.
He reached the paper across to me,
"Rcad it, Roy: l cannot 1t was q
deed of bequest. "The last will and
testament Of George Raleigh was
written across the back. ito my only
and beloved son Edgar, if he lives to
reach the age of p, l give and be-
queath the following described estate.
Then came closely written page
describing certain real estate in one ol
our most important cities. The whole
was legally signed and witnessed to be-
fore well-known lawyer Of the cit,
| mentioned. 4 letter was inclosel ex
planning all: the property had beer
leased for term of years, to satisfy /
claim held against it. Tho term ex
pirel on the day that Edgar reached
his majority, which would be in few
weeks.
i am SO glad said Edgar, when Ii,
recovered from his surprise; for now
need not he burden to YOU"
| But he was not destined to be /:
burden. to anyone long. He failed S,
rapidly that when the anniversary o
his birthday dawned, he was unable Il
leave his room. He requested me Il
write and find out if Mr.. Hartwell, til,
lawyer, who held the property in trust
was still living.
"Yes Edgar, / know that without in
quiring. At least, he was alive les
than week ago." was the answer
/ gave him.
"Well, want him, write him to com,
| at once" A few days later Mr.. Hart
we'll arrived, and was very much sur
prised at the story told him.
"The boy is in luck, said he, rs W,
rode to my home. l had written TO
him to come to my place of employ
ment, that / might enlighten him as I,
the business on which he was called
"The property is very valuable" h
continued.
"Very little good it will do Edgar,
I reioined, consumption has too stron,
hold on him.
"Ah, inherited from his mother, sal
the lawyer; "she was lovely woman
l knew her well. George Raleigh wa
a noble man, but an unfortunate one.
! When taken to Edgar's bedside. tn
cool man of business was startled out Q
his usual steady demeanor.
NO proofs Of your identity is needed
my boy. l remember Helen Lester
later Helen Raleigh, too well to douI
you. You are the very image of You
mother" Softly / withdrew and lei
them together.
An hour later my mother called m
from the library, Edgar wants yor
Roy lwcnt to his room. Mr.. Hart
well will tell You, said Edgar, pointin
to the lawyer, who sat by table busil
writing. "Sit by me, and listen Wit
his hand clasped in mine, the inyali
motioned for him to proceed.
Mr.. Hilton,' began the lawyer
Edgar Raleigh, realizing that he ha
not long to live, wishes to make you hi
heir. l have, therefore, drawn up
will, in which he bequeaths You pro-
t,2& &l,., - l.