The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1886-08-07

| her tu the park for u whole season
Various Instances OF this kind might
be recorded of his enterprising nature,
but it would be depressing to chronicle
u series of dismal failures. Augustus
had borne his ill-luck with equanimity,
| convinced that it was lack of oppor-
tunities alone which had prevented him
from making conquests.
In the case of Miss Smith, however,
no obstacles of an insurIuOuntuble kind
seemed to exist.
Augustus, With his native sauguiness,
therefore regarded her fortune rs prac-
tically within his grasp. That very
evening, in fact, on his return to his
uncles's house in Camden Town, he be-
gan to make discreet Inquiries about
the Smith family. Not word diu
he breathe Of Mr.. Smiths fortuue, and
he was the more cautious because II
seetned that the extent of it was not
generally known. But he learned
sufficient to feel convinced that the
old gentleman was a wealthy miser.
Her was descrihed as u tAciturn and
rather eccentric person, who had re-
sided many years IN Hilldrup.crescent
with his daughter and a maiden sister.
He was supposed to be comfortably oil,
tor he paid his way and lived at his
ease, but he was certainly not sus-
pected of being n millionaire.
Augustus wisely determined TO look
well before he Ieupt in tins instance,
he therefore sci TO work TO ascertain
whether Mr.. Retainer knew anything
about Mr.. Smith and his affairs. Ac-
corGli"gly he iuboriousiy prepared the
draft of Mr.. Suiith's will himself, and
ventured to take It into MIR. Retatner's
sauctunI. The learned conveyancer-
struck, perhaps, Ivy the unwOnted zeal
OF his least promising pupii-sOod-
nuturetily Put aside the papers he was
engaged upon, and invited Aug US. us
to stand by while he revised III. iln-
pUr,aut document. TINS methUu of
instruction was particularly calling to
Augustus, for Mr.. Retainer was accus-
toned to make Iniuceneat of his pupils
youthful efforts, and was cruelty frank
in his criticisms. On this occasion,
however, Augustus bore the ordeal
with edifying neekness, being entirely
pre~0ccupied with the Inoment0us in-
quiries he desired to make. When
Mr.. Retainer, after good deal of cons
temptuous t'pishing' and "psiaWiug,"
accompanied by vicious scrutchings of
his broad nibted pen, threw the ducu-
ment aside, Augustus said, rather
"Do you think the viii is all right,
sir?"
can right? No; of course not. ii
requires to be entirely re-drawn. You
might have saved your time aud trou-
bic, sir, AS wei! AS mine!' returned
MIR. Retainer, quite savagely.
81 mean do you think ii is hoax 2"
continued Augustus, feeling very small
indeed.
"You know best, sirv' exclaimed
MIR. Retainer, Slariug at him.
81 was referring to the instructions,
Augustus fastened to explain, pointing
to the document.
"There is nothing the matter with
the instructions !" exclaimed MIR. Re-
tainer, staring at Augustus.
81 dare say not, as far as the solici~
tors are concerned-" Augustus biurted
out.
"One of the oldest and most respect
able firms in Loudon," interrupted Mr.. |
Retainer, Indignantly. "What on earth
are you driving at ?'
"Well, l mean do you think that the
Iestator has AL the property to leave
that ne speaks OFF," said Augustus ia
IL have heard OF cases OF
tt inau making sham will"
"Not through firm like Tape x
Parchment, cried Mr.. Retainer, quite
"What can have put such
an idea into your head ?"
"Nothing, except tina, the ,cs,ator
lives in Camden Town-HilIdrop
crescent. l know Hilidrop-crescent
added Augustus hastily.
"They are comparatively small houses,
able'
Mr.. Retainer looked rather amused.
He leaned back in his chair a moment,
and regarded Augustus through his
spectacles rs though impressed by his
Augustus did not bear
the scrutiny very we'll, for reasons that
may be imagiued.
when you are Older, Mr.. Nav, you
will learn that ii is not always safe to
judge by appearances" he said with n
smile.
"Then you think, sir"
"Do not alarm yourself" interrupted
Mr.. Retainer, turning impationtiy toI
his work. "Mr. Tape explained to- me
the circumstances of the case. 1t is all
right"
Mr.. Retainer dismissed Augustus
with n nod ~ he finished speaking,a and
the enterpfIsing student left the room
a. .l..,