Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-06-02

Out IelC tnaC some one must Keen
cool, 30 I said:
"Mary, dear, there may be nothing;
but even il there is, ii does not belong
to u.s."
"Why notf" she asked.
because it is all arranged In the
will" answered; sand, by the way,
have a mem. of it here, !" and l took
from my pocket the paper which Wig
ley had given me.
With intense interest we read it to-
gether. Mary holding me tightly by
the arm. 1t certainly was short. 1t
ran as follows:
~, Little Butler street, S. W., Lon
don-I hereby leave to my child or
children, If l have any living, all own,
and in default Of such, everything Is to
go to John GRADER, my landlord, who
IS to make an inventory of all he can
find in the two houses occupied by me,
this house and 2 Lampeter street, S.
W., London, and to lodge all money
and securities in Coutt's bank. If my
children or any Of them do not claim
in writing by an application before a
justice of tie peace within one calendar
month from my decease, they are to
forfeit all rights. Ignorance of my
death or their relationship to be no
reason for Noncompliance. Lest there
be any doubt Of my intentions, l hereby
declare that wish in such default of
my natural heirs, John GRADER afore.
said TO have my property, because he is
the harde5t-hearted man l ever knew,
and will not fool it away in charities or
otherwise, but keep it together. If any
fooling is to be done, it is to be by my
own.
"lSigned) GILES ARMER, Master
Mariner. Formerly of Whitby."
Wden 1 came near the end Mary.
who had been looking down the paper
in advance of my reading, cried out {:
Giles Armer! Why, that was my
father.'
Good Godl'I cried out, as jumped
to my feet.
Yes" she said excitedly; ''didn't
you see me sign Mary Armer at the
registry? We never spoke of the name
because he had quarrel with mother
and deserted her, and after seven years
she married my stepfather, and was
always called by his name"
''And was he from Whitby?" asked.
| was nearly wild with excitement.
Yes" said Mary. "Mother was
married there and was born there"
L was reading over the will again.
My hands were trembling so that /
could hardly read. An awful thought
struck me. What day did he die?
Perhaps it was too late-it was now
the Both OF October. However, we
were determined to be en- the safe side,
and then and there Mary and put ON
our hats and wraps and went to the
nearest police station.
There we learned the address of
magistrate, after we had explained 10
the inspector the urgency of the case.
We went to the address given and
after some delay were admitted to an
interview.
The magistrate was at first somewhat
crusty at being disturbed at such an
hour, for by this time 1t was pretty late
in the evening. However, when we
had explained matters to him be was
greatly interested, and we went through
the necessary formalities. When it was
done he ordered In cake and wine, and
wk he'd us good luck. ''But remember"
he said to Mary, ''that as yet your
possible fortune is a long way off.
There may be more Giles Armers than
one, and moreover there may be some
difficulty In proving legally that the
dead man was the same person as your
father. Then you will also have to
prove, in a formal way, your mothers
marriage and your own birth. This
will probably involve teavy expenses.
for lawyers fight hard when they are
well paid. However, l do not wish to
discourage you, but only to prevent
false hopes; at any rate, yon have done
well in making your declaration at
once. So far you are on the high road
TO success" So he sent US away filed
with hopes as well as fears
When we got home we set to work
to .ook for hidden treasures in the un-
room. j knew too well that
there was nothing hidden In the rooms
which were finished, for had done the
work myself, and had even stripped the
walls and uncovered the floors.
1t took us couple OF hours to make
an accurate search, but there was
no result. The late master
mariner had made his treasury in the
other house.
Next morning l went to find out
from the parish register the date Of the
death of Giles Armer, and, to my in
tense relief and joy, learned that 1t had
occurred OF September 80, SO that, by
our prompt action in going at once to
the magistrates, we had, If net secured
a fortune, at least not forfeited our
rights nor allowed them to lapse.
The incident was sort OF good
omen, and cheered u.s. up; and we
needed a little cheering, for, despite
the possible good fortune, we feared we
might have 10 contest lawsuit, a lux
ury which we could not afford.
I'VE determined to keep our own
counsel for little. and did not mention
the matter to soul.
That evening Mr.. GRADER called
again and renewed his offer OF taking
the house off my hands. still refused,
for I did not wish him to see any diff
ference in my demeanor. Heevidently
came determined to effect surrender
of the lease, and kept bidding higher
and higher, till at last l thought it best
to let him have his way; and SO We
agreed for no less sum than elOO that
/ should give him immediate possession
and cancel the agreement. 1 told him
we would clear out within one hour
after the money was handed to me.
Next morning at $50 O'Clock he came
with the money. 1 had all our effects
they were not many-packed up and
taken to q new lodging, and before ~
O'Clock Mr.. GRADER was In possession
of the premises.
Whilst he was tearing down my new
Wallpapers, and pulling out the CRATES,
and sticking his head up the chimneys
and down the water tanks IN the search
of more treasures, Mary and L were
the eminent solicitor, Mr..
George. as to- our method OF procedure.
He said he would not lose an hour, but
10 nv the irst train to LIttlehampton
himself to examine Mrs. Crompton as
TO dates and places.