Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-06-01
A FINANCIAL FEAT.
How Simple Girl and a Lawyer
Accomplished It.

ailllu u pllc vi lOIlHluhDlc uOCulhculb.
She was in deep mourning. Only one
week before, she had laid away the re-
mains Of her only surviving relative, in
the shadow Of the cross-crowned church
over the hill. 1t was dismal prospect
for girl of seventeen, and one who was
absolutely ignorant of business. The
Fords had always lived in luxury. But
on his death-bed, Mr. Ford called Ellie
to him; his articulation was imperfect,
but she caught: bad investments,
mortgage bonds. Poor! Poor .
Barker will tell YOU" Afew gasps and
1t was over.
All day she had tried TO bring order
out of chaos. At last with sigh she
tossed the golden fringes from her fore
head, as II even their light weight was
an oppression.
at is useless" she murmurcd, al can
make nothing of anything" Then
suddenly she remembered: Barker will
tell you" The memory came with a
sigh Of relief
A servant answered the bell.
Take this TO Mr.. Barker" she or
dered, land wait for an answer"
1t came in less than an hour.
"Mr. Barker will wait upon Miss
Ford at five" She glanced Mt the clock.
II lacked five minutes of the hour
Barker was lawyer in the same
town. She had always known him. and
she remembered that he had been with
her father frequently before she wen
TO school for the last time. As he en-.
tered, Ellie started. She had thought
of him as rather elderly, but the man
who stood before her was extremely
handsome, and perhaps double her sew.
cnteen years.
"You are kind. Mr.. Barker, TO re.
spond so promptly. l did not know
what TO do, to whom to turn. can
make nothing Of papa's papers," she
sighed weariedly.
"0f course. What can you know
about lawP' and together they turned
to the perplexing pile.
Barker ran his eye over paper after
paper, and a startled look came into
his eyes, keen lawyers though they
were.
care these all?' he asked.
81 believe so. Papa kept his papers
in that secretary; and, Mr.. Barker,
know from what he said, that there
were losses-that l shall not be very
well off. ! do not mind" shc said
quickly, "other people are poor, whJ
not Ie"
Some losses! Not as we'll off as she
had been!" He regarded her queerly.
Poor child! Did she know that house,
lands, even the costly furniture was
covered with mortgagesP No, and he
determined she never should know. He
had no living relatives, and why should
he not do for this helpless girl what he
would have liked some one to do fol
sister or wife of his?
"There will be something left after
the debts are paid, will there notpn
The pretty pathetic ewes looked
squarely into his. He could not answer
this child-woman with evasion. al
you will trust to me, Miss Ford, will
do my best. Your father trusted mt
upon several occasions" (He did moi
add, il that father had been guided by
his judgment his daughter would moi
now be penniless) land l am confident
l know moro of the business than any
one else." He waited her reply.
30, yes, and thank you, Mr.. Baker,
With childish, trustful motion, sht
slipped her hand in his. Barker's OK
perience with women was bounded BY
aggressive littlo widows, and soul-ter
rifying Sally Brasses', and there was
queer little flutter in his manner as h,
bid her good night.
Mr.. Ford's affairs were in hopeless
tangle. Ruin was inevitable. Sucl
was Bakers verdict after reperusa
of the Ford papers. Poor littl
thingr' he whispered to himself; SSH
} shall never know if can help it.
Out of those deeds and mortgage
seemed to start the vision of home
Eden, where certain eyes looked int
his with bewildering love. Bah! Wha
have sentimental love-droams in com
mon with an austero lawyers Officer
A puzzled face appeared at the oflic
of Barker & Hawkins one day, NO
long after.
| II am sorry to worry you; but sc
here" Eflic produced slip of pape
which she held toward him. 1t state
the existence of note, covering to
thousand dollars, principal and intel
. est, held by one lsaacs & Tobias
). brokers in a neighboring city.
"When did you receive this" II
avoided looking at the captivating fac
as much as possible.
To-day; and, Mr.. Barker, it mul
be paid. The ten thousand you save
for me will just cover it. Will you d
, it for meP"
"Yes, Miss Ford. 1t is fortunate
however, that l changed the inves
ment. By the new arrangement it HI
:, doubled. You can pay this bill an
i retain the same amount.n
II canP How nice! 1 thought