The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-23
THAT LOST BOND.

diminished that deemed 1t advisable 10
lose no time in setting TO work TO earn
my own living. After good deal of in
Iquiry and travelling about fixed upon q
Quiet little market town Of Barton III
which to begin operations; and, having
taken an Office and engaged an office boy.
notified the inhabitants that was ready
to render them any legal assistance they
might require. by afiixing brass plate on
the door with my name and description in
scribed thereon.
But the good people of Barton seemed
to be either very peaceably inclined or to
be shy of strangers. for six months elapsed
been practically nil. Meantime, the bal
ance had placed at the bank on settling
at Barton was rapidly decreasing.
Twas sitting in my Office one afternoon
meditating on these things. 1t was
hot, drowsy afternoon, which seemed to
have impaired its influence to the inhabi-
tants, for business appeared to be almost
at standstill had just made up my
mind to leave the office for the afternoon
and have a little fishing before tea, when
the door opened and my Office boy entered
again. "PleGse sir. Mr. Thomas Jackson
wishes to see you, he said.
"Mr Thomas Jackson" ! exclaimed in
surprise. do you mean Mr. Jackson, Of
Oaliields faIm?'
Eyes, sir-Fayner Jackson, answered
the boy.
ooh, well. ask him in. said, unlock
ing my drawer and pulling ont my papers
and pens M jackson was a well u DO
farmer, and was aware that he enter
tanned n strong prejudice against law
yers, he having had disagreeablc trans
action with a rather sharp firm Of attor-
neys some years ago.
Mr.. jackson entered the room rather
tesitatingly. | thought. After exchanging
greetings motioned him to chair and
waited for him 10 inform EIe as 10 the
nature Of his business. After fumbling
ab,ut in his breast coat pocket he drew
Out n narrow st.ip of paper and handed
it ID me. | found it to be writ issued
by Mr.. Sharper Flint q money lender at
Barton, against Mr. Jackson, TO recover
the sum of 1000. with interest, on a
bond given by Mr.. William Jackson
Gather of Thomas Jackson to the said
Sharper Flint for money lent by him, and
was Issued against Thomas Jackson as
execu. Or Of his father, who had died some
two years before.
"Weil. Mr.. Jackson | said =. looking
up "this is rather a disagrcealSe docu-
ment. What is the meaning of it?'
well. that's just what | want to
know. said Nj. Jackson Il no,cr heard
word of any such claim before lsup.
pose it is some dodge Of that rascally
Flint to try and get money out of me.
You never heard of any such claim
before. asked, although the writ
states that the bond was given six years
ago."
Not word. sir. answered Mr.. Jack
son. Il never dreamed Of there being
any such claim until Yesterday, when the
writ was served on me
Il suppose you were acquainted with
your fathers stfairs!" | asked.
Yes, sir We discussed business
affairs together constantly, and it was
very seldom he did anything without con
tultinC ne. Indeed, now remember, he
did speak TO ne some years ago about
borrowing $1,000, which he wanted for
temporary purpose from Sharper Flint.
but | advised him not to Go 50, as had
no faith IN him; and hc told me afterward
that hc had decided to take my advice.
Il should think it very unlikely that
your father would lave borrowed so large
sum without letting you know, and
without leaving any trace of il among his
papers. suppose you have been through
his books aal papers" /
Yes, Sir: | went through them all at
the timo probate Of the will was granted,
and there is rot trace among them of
any such sum having been borrowed"
well. | said. "a think the best thing
will DO for nc 20 call on Mcssrs Crawley
Il Tos. Mr.. Fiint's solicitors, ard see what
they have 70 say about the matter. and if
possible Get them to show me the bond on
which they claim"
Eyes. think that would be the best
way" replied iir Jackson; old accord
ingly it wa - arranged
called o. Mcssrs. Crawley & Fox the
next morning as arranged, and was shown
into the Office Of MIR Crawlcy. the senior
partner.
Mr.. Cravlcy. withered little gentle
man, was sitting al table Uttered with
deeds. bric.l, drafts and the miscellaneous
papers which usually cucumber a solci.
tors table. As entered he looked up.
Good morning. Mr. Crawley," said
u have called to see you about that mat
ter Of Flint Va. Jackson"
'Oh. yes, said Mr.. Crawley, leaning
back in his chair and pushing his spec.
tacles on to his forehead you are act
ing for tho defendant. aren't your"
"Yos." said land we are naturally
very much astoaishe,. AZ the proceedings
which you have commenced. My client
informs me that he never heard Of there
being such claim until he was served
with the writ"
"You don't say So" exclaimed Mr..
Crawley, opening his eyes with real or
well fcigncd establishment. Now that's
very extraordinary"
"Yes." said, land before taking any
steps In the matter my client wishes to
make thorough investigation into the
affair. and have called to know if YOU
will let me see the bond"
''Oh. certainly, certainly" said Mr..
Crawley-"no objections whatever" and
going to the safe he took the document
out and handed 1t to me.
1t was formal bond drawn up in tina
usual words. by which "the said William
jackson bound himself, his heirs, execn.
tors and administrators to pay the said
Sharper Flint. his executors or admins.