Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-22
TaIes and Sketthes.
A STRANGE GUARDIANSHIP.

strangest of all, l was an authOresS. Inc
circumstances which led to this last-named
fact were not the ordinary ones.
NV mother had died when was but a
baby, and my father haG always marked
out for me future of fame which he i'm
agined could be best gained by my pen.
My elder brother and his pretty young
wife were of the same opinion, and as MY
aunt, who took care of me, thought al
ways as my father did, it seemed that,
nOlens r0lens, should be an authoress.
Fortunately for the genera peace, per-
haps, was not averse to their desire, and
alter some consideration, determined to
venture upon story. and on its compile
ton to present it as surprise to the
assembled family. But here found an
unexpected difficulty what could /,
Helen Dare. find to say to critical and
exacting public? At last fortune favored
me with a simple solution Of the problem.
! would tell "a little story which had al
WAYS touched me one of the simple ira
ditious of my quiet, country birth place.
My heart was in the work, and it was
soon finished. Strange to say. it met with
much favor, but as had written under
the nom de plat,ne of George Percy. it
was universally attributed to my elder
brother, who tacitlv consented to the de
ceplon, and at this was rather glad.
One day, however, my father handed
me letter addressed to HIM and bearing
foreign postmark. took it with some
curiosity, which deepened to profound
establishment as | read if. 1t ran thus,
ard was characteristic Of the writer:
PARIS, BOULEVARD DIES INvALIDEs,
II AUG. 1880.
Dear Sr:-You will be glad to know
thai Your sons reputation as writer has
crossed the Atlantic, and that consider
"Brakesdale" wonderful book. You
probably have heard who | am, being a
distant connection Of yours on your moth
ers side. | am an old man, and have a
favor 10 ask OF you | want you to use
Your influence with the author Of my IA
vorite book to make him accept the post
Of guardian to my son, for | consider the
advice and friendship of the man who
could write such book as invaluable.
do not expect to live very long, and want
to leave my son in good hands when die.
His financial arrangements will be man
aged for him BY an old friend until he is
of age, and am willing and able to make
it worth while for you to gain his accept
ance O. the proposal. Let me know your
decision by return of mail.
Your obedienS servant,
JOSEPH |. LANGTON.
If the skies had fallen could not have
been more thunderstruck. Gracious ?'
was the undignified and femme exclama-
ton of the author of ''Brakesdale.
MY father looked reproachfully at me
and said "My dear, there is no cause for
such surprise. OF course you'll accept
this hattering proposal; and, in fact,
Should think it good idea for us to go
to Europe and see this gentleman. l re-
member my mothers speaking of him as
a queer. eccentric old fellow. but withal
kind-hearted and loyal"
.But you can't mean it, gasped.
"Certainly, I do"
but he doesn't mean me- he says,
you SON. expressly. He means John"
II beg to differ from you. On the con-
trarv, he mentioned several times
the author of 'Brakesdale,' and he says
that it is the advice, the invaluable advice
that he wants, and as you wrote the book
you a-e the only one who can give it, Just
think. my dear. of the poor dying man
alone with one little boy to dispose of
You know you always had good success
with children, and if you don't take him
who wills What may become of him p'
All this had its effect. The picture. to
say the least. was rather touching, and
did love children; so compromised, and
gave my father the result of my cogita
tons.
Il tell you what we can do" said a
| last. 1--WE will accept conditionallv. if he
will have me without change of sex. II
come"
| You can't change your sex of course,
said my methodical father, who usually
crushed my small attempts in this way
$50 we will consider it settled, and your
aunt and yourself can get ready to star
for France next week" And unheedine
my protestations against such short notice
he went away well pleased with the sue
cess
In due time the trunks were packed, {
good supply of toys for my young ware
not being forgotten; all was arranged
and settled. and then we started The
voyage was moderately good one, anC
we found ourselves in ten days time be
fore the mansion of Joseph Lapgton. Here
an unexpected event occurred. Its owner
had died suddenly from an attack of hear
trouble. but. having taken my consent fol
granted, had formerly appointed in hi.
will, the author of "Brakesdale" as guar
dian to his heir. After little rest at his
house. asked the imperturbable domestic
who attended me where my ward was
She said he had been away. but had return
ed the proceeding evening.
suppose he made too much noise for
the patient, was my mental comment, anC
then said, taking up as | spoke toy
cow as passport to my wards favor
please show me the nursery In my
pre-occupation had spoken English, and
the French servant only stared "Mon.
trez moi la--la-chambre de lui," added
desperately mixing up in my dire confu
sion the words of this beautiful language
in my efforts to be understood. She 81
len,ly led the way, and followed. till she
reached the room in question; there SHE
knocked and left me. The door was
thrown open, and instead of a smiling
nurse holding by the hand my childish
ward, | beheld young man about nine
teen or twenty years of age. who looked
inquiringly at me. felt perfectly help
less. and clutched the unoffending toy COW
so firmly that it turned its head and CAV,
a despairing moo" Then said with al
effort, Il think l have made a mistake il
the room. Can you tell me where Mr.
I,anpton's son STAYS ?'