The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-06

WigleyF
Lucky old brute! wish had a share OF
it. heard all about it at Doctors commons
yesterday
why, is ii anything stranger
"Strange. Why, its no name for it. What
do YOU think OF an old flint like that having
a miser for a tenant who goes and dies and
leaves him all he's got-f40,00 or Esq, 900
in will, providing child of his own doesn't
turn up to claim it.
HE died recently, them"
About three or four weeks ago Old Grad
der only found the will a few days ago. He
had been finding pots of gold and bundles
OF notes all over the house, and it was like
drawing tooth from him to make an IN
ventory as he had TO do under clause OF
the will The old thief would have pocketed
all the coin without word, only for the
Will, and he was afraid he'd risk everything
if he did not do it legally"
You know all about it," | remarked,
wishing to hear more.
II should think did asked Grips, of
Bogg n Snagley, about it this morning.
They're working for him, and Grips says
that il they had not threatened him with the
public prosecutor he would not have given
even a list Of the money he found
began now 10 understand the motive Of
Mr.. Graders anxiety TO aid in working at
my house ! said to Wigley:
"This is very interesting Do you know
that he is my landlord"
Your landlord Well, wish you joy to
him. must be off now I have TO go
down to Doctors commons before O'Clock
Would you mind getting these stamped for
me, and keeping them till come back"
With pleasure l said, ''and look here!
Would you mind looking out that will of
Gradder's and make mem. of it for me,
if it isn't too longl I'll go shilling on it.'
And handed him the coin
Later in the day he came back and
handed me paper.
1T isn't long" he said. I'VE might put
up the shutters if men made wills like that
That is an exact copy. 1t is duly witnessed,
and all regular
took the paper and put it in my pocket,
for was very busy at the time.
After supper that evening | got note
from GRADER, saying that he had got an
offer from another person who had been in
treaty with him before l had taken the
uOust, NdltlIlS 10 lliNt IL, anu olCIIiiG W
pay premium The is an old friend"
wrote Grader, "and | would like to oblge
| him; so if you choose | viii take back the
lease and hand over what he offers to pay"
| This was f2j, altered from $40
then told Mary of his having called on
| me in the office, and of the subsequent reve-
lation of the viii. She was much impressed
"Oh, Bob she said, lit is real romance
With woman's quickness of perception,
she guessed at once cur landlords reason Cor
wishing to help us.
why, he thinks the old miser has hidden
money here, and wants to look for it, Bob, !"
this excitedly, this house may be full of
money; the walls round US may hold a fort
une. Let us begin to look at once!'
was as much excited as she was, but |
f5lt that some one must keep cool, so l said
Mary, dear, there may be nothing; but
even if there is, it does not belong to us"
Why not'' she asked.
Because it is all arranged in the will"
answered; and, by and by, have mem.
OF it here, and | took from my pocket the
paper which Wigley had given me
With intense interest We read it together,
Mary holding me tightly by the arm II
certainly was short. II ran as follows:
-, Little Butler street, S W, Londou-I
hereby leave to my child or children, if
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 Lampeter street, S.
". London, and to lodge all money and Sc
curities in Coutts bank. If my children OF
any of them DO not claim in writing by an
application before justice Of the peace
within one calendar month from my de
cease, they are TO forfeit all rights Ignor.
ance Of my death or their relationship to be
no reason for noncompliance. Lest there bt
any doubt of my intentions, l hereby declare
that | wish in such default of my natural
heirs John Grader aforesaid u have my
property, because he is the hardest hearted
man | ever knew, and will not fool it away
in charities or otherwise, but keep it to
gether If any fooling is to be done, it vii
be by my own.
"(Signedl GILES ARMER, Master Mariner
formerly of Whitby"
When | came near the end, Mary, who had
been looking down the paper in advance 81
| my AFo'Ahibt NAi''A NhAs OAAco al W hN
that was my father"
"Good God' l cried out, as | jumped Il
my feet
YES" she said, excitedly; didn't You Sc,
me sign Mary Armer at the registry ",
never spoke Of the name, because he had (
quarrel with mother and deserted her, anC
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"
| | was reading over the will again NJ,
hands were trembling so that | could hardly
read. An awful thought struck me. VIVA
day did he de- 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 put on GU
hats and wraps aud went to the nearest %
lice station.
There we learned the address of magis
trate, after we bad explained to the inspecto
the urgency of the case.
We went TO fhe address given, and afte
some delay were admitted TO an interview.
The magistrate was at first somewha
cTlsty at being disturbed at such an hour
for by this time It WIS pretty late in tn
evening. However, when we had explaine
matters to him he was greatly interested
and we went through the necessary formal
ties When it WIS done he ordered q cak
and wine and wished us both luck. "Bu
renember," he said to Mary, "that as We
your possible fortune Is long way oil
There may be more Giles Armers than one
and moreover there may 90 some difficulty
in proving legally that the dead man wa
the same person as your father. Then yol
will also have TO prove, In a formal way
your mothers marriage and your own birth
This will probably involve heavy expenses
for lawyers fight hard when they are wei
paid. However, do not wish to discourag
you, but only to prevent false hopes; at an
rate, You have done well in making you
declaration at once. SO far you are on tn
high road to success" So he sent us ava
filled with hopes as well as fears.
When we got home we set to work to loo
for hidden treasures in the unfinished room
! knew too well that there was nothing hid
den in the roofns which were finished, for
had done the work myself, and had eve
! n