The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-05-27
THE FENDRICKS MYSTERY.


and arrogance gets more and more insult
ferable every day, that 1t doesp'
The speaker was Mrs. Butler, widow
of retired grocer, and the present owner
of stucco villa near Englewood.
The day was Sunday. and Mrs. Butler
with her particular friend, Miss. Since,
formed partof the stream of people leaving
the Rev. Mr.. Scattergood's church.
=" You are certainly right, DEAR" giggled
Miss Since, "such pretensions are simply
disgusting, and pretensions, pray, upon
whatH
" An uncle. nn iron box and mystery"
retorted Mrs. Butler, tossing her head TIL
the hOthOuse of flowers ON her bonnet
quivered to every petal. This action
brought her eyes on a level with gentle
man just then approaching
"Why, Mr.. Clonbrook, how do you do
Are you well today"
Perfectly: but would you kindly tell
me the name OF that family just going up
the road therei | mean the lady In the
turquoise silk"
Them-them's the Hendricks. How
strange, we were just speaking Of
them. Everybody notices the Fend-
ricks."
"I should think 10. Such airs" giggled
Miss Since, wrlggling herself into the con-
versation.
The gentleman, Harry Clonbrook, looked
little surprised and annoyed. "If you
were speaking Of them then may infer the
words caught-'an uncle, u strong box
and mystery had something to do with
them y"
ayes. Yousee they're always boastin' of
this uncle, who was themaking Of their for
tune, who mixed with all the swells on
Murray Hill. who found out they were
connected with the Knickerbockers and
who left the proofs of their noble connection
in an iron chest, which he made compact
shouldn't be opened until certain day.
And n lot the Hendricks has made out o.
that, I'll warrant YOU"
And who is the gentleman walking with
the younger ladyW
"That is the nephew. The lady Is a
daughter-a proud thing who turns up
her nose at trade. His name is Paul
Avenal"
Until this moment the Butler family
have been following the Hendricks, but
now reaching the crossroads the two
diverged.
We will follow the Hendricks.
The father was as pompous q piece OF
humanity as could be. II anything was
more inflated In expression than his face it
was his white waistcOat.
Mrs. Hendricks was q mild-natured
woman-the daughter resembled the
father-while Paul was bright, honest
looking young man with no pomposity
about him.
"Now here, Paul." said the father, con-
tinuing the conversation, ~ wont have 1t
and that's all about II. I've brought you up
TO be n gentleman and you shan't dis
grace my family. You disgrace, say, the
noble founder. Of my family, ] refer to
your great-uncle." o.
"Confound my uncle p It was on Paul's
lips TO say, for he was nearly sick Of the
name, but he said: al have no wish to
disgrace the family, uncle, I'm sure, and
can't see what my marrying Hettie Trayers
has to do with tn
why. Paul, I'm surprised, =" said Fannie
Hendricks, in horror Isn't she the
daughter Of man who keeps book
shop".
scholar" exclaimed Paul, hotly. He
had more brains than half the aristo-
cratic ~
"Brains, sir-brains p burst forth Fend-
ricks the elder; "what Is brains to blood
Think Of your uncle the associate OF the
aristocracy, Of the Van Spooners and the
Roosevelt -Magillicuddys, who could talk
and talk OF 'em rs we do OF the Joneses
and the Smiths"
"Until Uncle VIII went TO seek his for
tune ] believe our family were poor
enough"
Poor but proud but remember, Paul,
he was always worthy fellow"
But with q liking for low company.
II was ridicullng his stepmother's grand
Mrs that got him kicked out by his father. I"
"Ah, but he was young and eccentric
even to the end. Are You aware that the
mystery Of my Uncle William will be
cleared up on the 22d OF next month
So don't want you TO rush into any beg
| carly marriage and so hinder the ex-
cellent match | expect for your cousin
Fanny"
Paul bit his lip and was about TO reply
when hand touched him on the shoulder.
Turning round he beheld Harry Clonbrook
and extended his hand.
"Why, old fellow, who should have
thought OF meeting you here :" he ex-
claimed, recognizing his old college chum.
Introductions followed and then the two
turned back for walk and talk.
"What arc you doing nOwr asked
Harry.
"oh, reading law, and consequently de-
pendent on my uncle. Iwish he had made
me carpenter or an upholsterer; then by
this time might have been making my
fortune" cried Paul.
(which means you want the fortune
for somebody else There is lady in the
case"
Exactly. Did you see In the gallery TO
the left OF the organ q young lady In O
blue bonnet 7"
"Well, my uncle theatens to turn me
out II marry her, because her father was
a tradesman, and you know" said Paul,
with scornful laugh, lowing 10 our
uncle, that's beneath u.s."
81 know, my dear fellowi know moth
ing about II or Of the strong box and
the mystery"
"Well, TO explain matters must 20 back
some years. My grandfather, who was a
simple farmer, married the daughter OF a
poor, but aristocratic family. From that
day life was burden. BY her pride and
arrogance she made his days miserable
and finally succeeded In driving his only
son by first wife from the house. This
was my great uncle, win Fendrick. She
said his habits were low. He protested
that there was no disgrace In honest labor
and that she with her wretched pride, had
made them beggarr.
''Well, for many years VIII Fendrick
was not heard Of until rumor reached his
stepmother that he was cutting a great
dash In New York and was looked upon az
one OF the most elegant men In society.
When he died he left $4,000 and an iron
box. which was not TO be opened until
June i2, 1884 The money was the founda-
tion OF my uncle's wealth; the box the
foundation OF his pride"
"And II this pride Is not overcome how