San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-08-28

THE IDLE LAWYER.

'Pve been thinking Of a wife for you"
said Neds uncle one morning, as the two sat
together in the seniors private office.
so have l." replied Ned.
"AhemW returned the uncle. I've pick
ed one out for you, he continued.
'Pve picked one out for myself" said Ned,
that Is, provided | can obtain her consent"
THE deuce you haveW exclaimed the
head OF the firm, who had always regarded
the question as one within his own exclusive
jurisdiction.
There is no knowing to what a pitch the
discussion would have reached but for the
entrance of two gentlemen who came to con-
suit Mr. Banting.
A Frenchman, a stranger it seems, had died
suddenly while on visit TO the city some
years before, leaving a large sum OF money.
One OF the two gentleman present had been
appointed trustee of the fund, and the other
claimed to be next kin to the deceased, whose
cousin he asserted himself to be.
THE deceased spoke of having BROTHER"
said the trustee, ''in search of whom he was
travelling"
"Yes, his brother Antoine" said the other,
''who abscOnded from this country years ago,
and of whose death have ample proofs"
The papers were submitted to Mr.. Banting,
who promised to examine them and give his
opinion next day, at which time, If every
thing was regular the money was TO be turn
ed over TO the claimant
1t wasn't often that Ned paid much atten-
ton to business of the office, but the men,
ton of certain names during the colloquy
caused him to prick up his ears while seem
ingly busy with the morning paper, and, tive
minutes later, he was running at full speed
to the house of his friends, the Bertrands.
At the appointed hour next morning the
same two gentlemen came to hear Mr. Bant-
ings decision. Ned, as before, had the morn
ing paper before him, but kept sharp ear
turned.
IVTha nanaro amman 70 ha oil right oh
served Mr.. Banting. II have scrutinized
them carefully, and lind nothing wanting"
Then it only remains to pay over the
money, suppose" said the heir-expectant,
rubbing his hands.
Nothing more" replied Mr.. Banting..
The trustee produced his accounts, show
ing the sum on hand, which had been large
ly enhanced by accruing interests, and was
beginning TO draw check for the amount
when Ned Armour threw aside his paper,
and strobe forward.
Don't be too fast p he exclaimed.
1t was the first time Ned had ever interior
ed in business consultation, and his uncle
looked up surprised.
Why, what do you know about itP' ask
ed the latter.
I've a witness in my private room l think
you'd better examine before proceeding fur
I'll bring him.
Ned stepped out and returned Immediate
ly, eScOrting an infirm old man, whose eye
flashed as it fell on the covering counte-
nance of the wOuld-be beir.
Tell these gentleman who you are" said
Ned, though one of them doesn't seem to
need the information"
II am Antoine Bertrand" replied the old
man, proudly, ''the brother and heir of him
on whose fortune this base wretch seeks to
lay his lawless grasp. 1t was this villain,
when the star of my illustriOus chief went
down at Waterloo, who, through perjury and
falsehoOd, drove me into exile, and received,
as the reward of his perjury, my entire
wealth. The proofs he now presents are as
false as those he manufactured then, but l
have the documents here which will leave no
doubt as to my right"
The false heir did not remain to see in
spected the packet of papers which the old
man presented. Suffice It to say, they were
found in all respects correct. Marie Ber-
trand was now match for the wealthiest
man in the land, and when Ned told his UNI
Gle that it was she whom he had picked out
for wife the old man didn't object; neither
did Marie nor her father; and Ned Armour
lived for many years, happest of husbands.