The Penn's Grove record., 1886-05-29


7 but 1 felt that some one must keep
cool, so | said:
"Mary, dear, there may be nothing;
but ven if there is, it does not belong
to us.n
"Why notf" she asked.
because it is all arranged in the
WILL" L answered; "and, by the way, l
have a mem. of it here" and | 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 LampGter 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, | hereby
declare that l wish in such default of
my natural heirs, John GRADER afore-
said to have my property, because he is
the hardest-hearted mar | 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.
"(Signed) GILES ARMER, Master
Mariner. Formerly of Whltby."
When l came neal the end Mary,
who had been looking down the paper
in advance of my reading, cried out:
"Giles Armerl Why, that was my
father
Good Godl"I cried out, as 1 jumped
to my feet.
yes" she said e~xcitedly; 'didn't
you see me sign Mary Armer at the
registry2 We never spoke of the name
because he had a quarrel with mother
and deserted her, and after seven years
she married my stepfather, and l was
always called by his name"
"And was he from WhitbyP" l asked.
| wa nearly wild with excitement.
Yes said Mary. "Mother was
married there and / was born there"
1 was reading over the viii 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 on the safe side,
and then and there Mary and l put on
our hats and wraps and went to the
nearest police station.
There we learned the address of a
magistrate, after we had explained TO
the inspector the urgency of the case.
We went to the address given and
after some delay we're admitted to an
interview.
The magistrate was at first somewhat
crusty at being disturbed at such an
hour, for by this time it was pretty late
in the evening. However, when we
had explained matters to him he was
greatly interested, and we went through
the necessary formalities. When it was
done he ordered In cake and wine, and
wished us good luck. but remember"
he said to Mary, shat 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 lelvy 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 flied
with hopes as well as fears
When we got home we set to work
TO look for hidden treasures in the I'M
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 a couple OF hours to make
an accurate search, but there was
absolutely 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 or 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 a sort of good
omen, and cheered US, up; and we
needed a little cheering, for, despite
the possible good fortune. we feared we
might have to contest a lawsuit, a lux
ury which we could not afford.
We determined to keep our W
counsel for a little. and did not mention
the matter to a soul.
That evening Mr.. GRADER called
again and renewed his offer of taking
| the house off my hands. | still refused,
| for 1 did not wish HIM to see any diff
ference in my demeanor. He evidently
came determined to effect a 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 a sum than eI00 that
l should give him immediate possession
and cancel the agreement. l 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. L had all our effects
they were not many-packed up and
taken to a new lodging, and before 10
| 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
consulting the eminent solicitor, Mr..
George, as to our method Of procedure.
He said he would not lose an hour, but
90 by the first train to Llttlehampton
| himself to examine Mrs, Crompton as