The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-05-14
THE HENDRICKS MYSTERY.
BY MRS. MERTON }. WEXFORD.

| heads up, I'm sure Really their pride and
| arrogance gets more and more insullerable
every day, that it does"
The speaker was Mrs. Butler, widow Of
retired grocer, and tho present owner of
stucco villa near Englewood
The day was Sunday, and Mrs. Butler,
with her particular friend Miss Since,
formed part of the stream of people leaving
the Rev. Mr., Scattergood's church.
"You are certainly right, dear" gigglel
| Miss Since. "such pretensions are simply
| disgusting, and pretensions, pray, upon
what?'
"An uncle, an iron box and mystery"
| retorted Mrs. Butler, tossing her head till
| the dollhouse flowers on her bonnet uuiv-
| cred to every petal. This action brought
| her eyes on a level with gentleman Just
then approaching.
Why Mr. Clonbrook, how do you do?
| Are you well to-dayW
Perfectly; but would you kindly tell
me the name of that family just going up
the road there? / mean the lady in the tor
| quoise silk"
| "Them-them's the Hendricks. How
| strange: we were lust speaking of them.
| Everybody notices the Hendricks"
| 81 should think so. Such airs" giggled
Miss Since, wriggling herself into the con-
versation.
The gentleman, Harry Clonbrook, looked
little surprised and annoyed. "lf you
were speaking of them, then ! may infer
the words caught-'an uncle strong
box and mystery'-had something to do
| with them
ayes. You see they're always boastin'
of this uncle who was the making of their
| fortune who mixed with all the swells on
Murray Hill, who found they were con-
nected 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 a lot the Hendricks have made out O
that, I'll warrant you"
And who is the gentleman walking
with the younger LADY,"
'"rhat is nephew. The lady Is a
daughter proud thing, who turns up
her nose at trade. His name is Paul
| Avenal."
Until this moment the Butler party
have been following the Hendricks, but
now reaching the cross roads, the two di-
verged.
We will follow the Hendricks.
| The father was as pompous piece of
humanity as could be. If anything was
more inflated in expression than his face,
it was his white waistcoat.
Mrs. Fendricli was mild featured wo-
|
while Paul, was a bright, honest looking
young man, with no pomposity about him.
Nov, hero, Paul." said the father, con-
tinuing the conversation, II won't have it,
and that's all about it. I've brought you
up to be gentleman and you shant dis
grace my family You disgrace, | say, the
noble founder of my family; | refer to your
great uncle"
"Confound my uncle :" it was on Paul's
lips to say, for he was heartily sick of the
name, but he said: II have no wish to dis
grace the family, uncle, I'm sure, and |
can't see what my marrying Hottie Travers
has to do with it"
"Why, Paul, ! am surprised" said Fan
ME Fendrick in. horror. isn't she the
daughter of a man who kept bookshop?"
And who was gentleman and 9
scholar !" exclaimed Paul, holly. "Ht
had moro brains than half the arsto
cratic
"Brains, sir-brains !" burst forth Fred
erick, the elder; "what is brains to blood
Think of our uncle, the associate of ar
istocracy, of the Van Spooners and the
Roosevelt Magillicuddys who could talk
and talk of EN- as we do.,of the .Joneses and
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 liking for low company. II
was ridouling his stepmothers grand airs
that got him kicked out by his father"
"Ab, but he was young and eccentric
even to the end. Are you aware that the
mystery about my Uncle William will be
cleared up on the 22d ofnext month? Sc
| don't want you to rush into any beggarly
marriage, and so hinder the excellent match
l expect for your cousin Fanny"
Paul bit his lip and was about to reply
when hand touched him on the shout
der Turning around he beheld Harry
Clonbrook ana 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 are you doing now?' asked
J Harry.
"Oh, reading law, and consequently de
pendent on my uncle wish lie had made
me carpenter or an upholsterer; then by
this time might have been making my
fortune cried Paul.
(Which means you want that fortune To-
(, somebody. There is lady in the case
EXACTLY. Did you see ia the gallery
to the left Of the organ young lady will
blue bonnet"
zone of the prettiest girls | have eve
, seen. Couldn't help looking at her"
well my uncle threatens to turn mt
out If / marry her, because her father wa
a tradesmap, and you know said Paul
with scornful laugh, lowing to our uncle
that's beneath u.s."
Il know my dear fellow? | know moth
ing about it or of the strong box and tn
mystery
. well, to explain matters, must 90 bacl
some years. Ny great. grandfather, VIII
was simple farmer, married the daughte
of poor but aristocratic family. From
that day life was a burden. By her prid
and arrogance she made his days miserable
and finally succeeded in driving his onl.
son by first wife from the house. Thi
was my great uncle, viii Fendrick, Sh
said his habits were low He protested tina
tllsre was no disgrace in honest labor, an
that she, with her wretched pride, la
y made them beggars Well, for many year
- VIII Fendrick was not heard Of, unit
rumor reached his step-mother that he wa
cutting a dash in New York, and wa
looked upon MS one Of the most elegant me
in society. When he died he left $1,000
= and an iron box, which was not to
opened until June %, 1854. The none
: was the foundation of my uncle's wealth
the box the foundation of his PRIDE
!, And if this pride is not overcome, ho'
about Miss Travers o.
81 marry her, IIal-cnly this is secret
at fling over the law and take place wit
her uncle, bookseller in the city