Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-06-19
THE DEMON PLAQUE,
A STORY IN FOUR CHAPTERS.
BY FRANK L..
ICopriphted.1

just been given me by Mr.. Curper. a
gentleman who was generally consid-
cred my law partner, although our
Joint occupation of a set Of Offices was
the only business connection between
us. The letter was written or rather
printed, with Il typewriter, was signed
Janet Floyd and was addressed to Mr..
Curper. 1t ran thus:
Il will say at once that the name at
the bottom of the note was an as
sumed one, and that this is written at
the house of a Friend who will address
the envelope. / have taken this pre-
caution because / do not at present
wish you to know who l am. My per-
~sonality is, however, of no Importance
whatever, as l merely wish to direct
your attention to Il case where a few
words from you may save n very de-
serving woman. who is not able TO en-
ploy legad advice, from much trouble
and loss, Ifeei sure that You will be
glad of the opportunity of doing this
worthy person a kindness, especially
as it will take very little of your time.
l will not state her case, because | do
not clearly understand it, but, of
course, it will be plain enough to you.
The old lady's name is Mrs. Grome,
and h lives on q very little farm,
! which she owns, at the end of the sec
ond lane from the river, on the road to
Ormsby park. know that YOU drive
out there very often, and it would
probably detain you but a short time to
turn into the lane and set this good
woman'sm mind straight about her af-
fairs. Ipromised Mrs. Grome that
would send her a good adviser, and !
feel sure you will not disregard this APP
peal to your kindly feeling and benevo-
lence.n
..Well;h said /, as | returned the let
ter to Mr.. Curper, Janet Floyd, who
ever she is, seems to have Il very high
idea of your kindly feeling and beneTo-
lence.h
Not any higher than she ougat to
have, if she knows me- he answered,
land / suppose she does know nae or
she would not have taken SO much
pains { o conceal her identity. But, al
though | am perfectly willing to do n
kind act whenever called upon, and
think a lawyer ought TO be just rs
ready to give IA few words of advice in
a case of this kind as "A doctor 10 pre-
scribe for Il patient who he knows cant
pay, / shall not be able to attend TO this
thing to-day or tomorrow. | want to
get out of town just rs soon AZ ! can,
and j have "A lot of work TO do before ]
go thought perhaps that YOU would
be riding out that way. and wouldn't
mind stepping in and twisting this
worthy person around 50 that she can
see,where she stands"
That as the way you support your
character for benevolence, is it, said
l, but as ] intended to 90 out to
Ormsby Park this afternoon, arn very
willing to see this person, and do what
| can for her"
The summer was getting well on. the
city was hot, and | was just as anxious
as Cnrper to get out of town. but was
detained by an important case which
was to come on in a few days. l was
fond of horseback exercise, and a ride
u to Ormsby Park, a few miles from
the city, was my favorite way of solac'
ing myself after a hot day in court, oi
in my Office.
1t was about o'clock in the after
noon when | rode up TO the gate OF
Mrs. Grome's front yard, and, having
tied my horse to that part of the fence
that seemed the strongest, | stepped
upon the low porch and knocked al thu
door. 1t was II queer little house. very
old and very gray, and there was abou'
it an apparent disposition to spread
which gave me the idea, when | frs
looked at it, that If the grape vines ant
h~oneysuckle vines and the western;
vines, the Virginia creeper and Ia
other vines which ancircled it abou
should be removed, it would fall apar
like a wooden pail deprived of it
hoops The door uns opened by al
old Woman in a short gown and petit
coat and wearing a Dlue muslin apron
and a blue muslin smnbonnet.
Good day, SIR" SHE said. with Il lit
tie curtsy. walk in, sir. l suppos'
you're a lawyer. The Young lady sale
she'd send me one. ana I've been look
in fur you aver since s9le was here"
l replied chat | was n lawyer, an'
would be glad to know what could de
for her.
Take a seat, sir, in this big chair
and I'll tell yau just how old Billy Has
kell is tryin' to cheat me out Of tn
very bread l eat, an the bed | sleel
on" And sealing herself near me, oI
a stiff-backed. rpsh-bottomed chair, sh'
crossed her HANDS upon her knees. di
rected the muzzie of her %sua-DOnne
full upon me, ami began her story
..Yos see" said sac. ''that I've got
little farm here, ar sencc my bihsbau'
died ! amt got no rnen folks to worl
it. nor folks of no kind for that nsit
ter. But l got a&ong well enough
till last year. There was
neighbOr Of mine, Hiram Burn
by name, who had wife
an six children, all girls but the baby
an "A horse. an for thirteen years h'