Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-06-07
GaIts a1lo Sketfkts.


ITO know better, en-? interrupted
Larry Penryhn. knocking the ashes of his
cigar.
you see, nobody expected it of you, be-
cause you we're always so certain OF re-
manning bachelor. and gave everybody
your word for it,
"When said should die bachelor,
did not think would live to be married., y
quoted Penrhyn, vet with reflected cast
in his eye to satisfy one that something
more rational was to be expected.
It was cool night, and there was con-
fdence burning In the Goals upon the
hearth, and the two men sitting beside it.
with the tobacco between them, were old
cronies. Time and circumstances had
drifted in between them, but for this one
night, at least. they were together again,
and sat talking as women are said to talk
to each other Of the hidden life, but as on
" men can, because OF common morals,
common manners and common follies.
II really could not help it, Tom" said
Penrhyn, looking hard into the fire. lit
really seemed the only thing to do at the
time ~
1t was rather strange reason to give
for 80 grave an event, but looking INTO the
calm, strong face of the man-taking into
consideration the massive, intellectual
brow, the firm, yet tender mouth, one
might know that it could be nothing less
than worthy true and honorable gentle
man, however anomalous in form.
"You want to know all about it"' at
last, he said with laugh, and blowing
up fog OF blue smoke around HIM he set
tied deeper in his armchair as if the story
were not short one. "Well. to begin
with, my wife is the daughter of Halstead
Scot, whom you doubtless remember"
Now, indeed, did blank surprise sit
upon the countenance Of Penrhyn's friend,
who did remember Halstead Scot. whose
stupendous rascality and breach OF trust
had convulsed a city, and of whose miser-
able self-murder the world yet talked
about.
do not wonder that you are surprised
that l should have married the daughter
Of such man, especially as that man was
not supposed to have daughter up to the
hour of his death but hear the story, and
reserve your judgment until you get the
case.
About six months previous to Scots sui
eide, when his irregular practice was only
being limited at softly. among the know
ing ones he came 10 my office one day
and wanted me to join him in the prose-
cation Of some cotton claims against the
government.
thought it rather queer that man IN his
position should approach me-scarcely
full-fedged barrister-with propositions
Of such magnifcence, but more out OF Gu
riosity than any actual idea OF taking hold
of the matter, asked for time to look in
to the case.
The papers were old. yellow, apparent
ly without flaw, and involving millions
of dollars, yet concluded that. in justice
to my own clients, could not undertake
to work in the case. The next thing that
came was Scots suicide, and the papers
rang with his fraud, his forgery and the
complaints OF the people whose moneys
he had held in trust and speculated away.
At this point in the unhappy mans history
my real connection with him began. The
morning following his death there came
to me. through the mails. a letter reading
something in this wise;
LARRY PENRHYN-f believe you to
be an honest man. therefore give the
inclosed papers into your keeping. feeling
sure that the secret they contain will be
safe with you. and that you will protect
whose life they so vitality concern.
(Signed), HALsTEAD SCor'.
Now comes the most singular part of
tbs story. The papers inclosed were
certificate of marriage between Halstead
Scott and Gabrielle Wyndham govern
ment bonds to the amount of thirty thou
sand dollars, registered in the name of
Gabrille Scot, and the necessary directions
for finding that person.
1.-TWO days later there came to me
another letter. written in a cramped. old
fashioned and feminine style. from which,
as opened it, there fell out printed slip
cut from some newspaper, and giving an
account of Scots unhappy end. The lat
ter itself was scant of words and ceremony,
and briefly stated that Scot had informed
the writer that in case of his death was
To act as Miss Gabrielle's guardian, and
requesting earnestly that would see my
ward at my earliest convenience. and the
letter was signed-Patience Wyndham.
fortunately for my curiosity and the
exigencies of the case, could get away
from town just at that particular time
and As there really seemed no way of
decently abandoning the trust without be-
traying the dead mans confidence, l.
started of at once.
ut was romantic little country place
ut which found them. with mountains all
around the half-hundred of houses; the
church, the store, the tavern that formed
the village, and near little waterfall,
that was waterfall. not because some
fellow with an eye for picturesque effect
mad built dam across its course, but be-
cause there was an abrupt descent in the
rock at that point, found Miss Patience
Wyndham's house.
II had fetched her letter with me, and
upon sending it in with my name, l was
Immediately admitted to the presence of a
stately dame. whose attire was copied
from some Quaker ancestress, aud whose
very countenance and manner bespoke
her name-Patience. She asked me a
great many questions about Halstead Scot,
which / could but answer with the meager.
unpleasant truths that formed my stock of
knowledge respecting the man, and then
it came her turn to talk. She told me
that years ago, when she was but eighteen.
her mother died, leaving her at the head
of her fathers household. In one year
after her father married again, and fifteen
months later both he and the new wife