San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-12-16

The supposed minister was an accom-
plice. l fled from this alliance, taking
care that after my flight she should
know the ceremony was false.
81 fled to Europe, and while there an
American, of my name exactly, died in
small town. Though aware of it,
paid no attention to it, until learned
through the American consul that in
quiries had been made by my dead wife's
relatives and by the woman Messing.
Then persuaded the consul that it was
myself who had died. 1t was easy to do,
for the other Preston had no friends.
81 then returned to this country and
adopted the name of Charles Pierson.
Fifteen years had elapsed since I left
Plainfield. Iput inquiries on foot and
learned that the Messing woman had
never taken my name.
81 entered business and prospered
from the beginning. From time to time
have sent money, through secret
| sources, to the woman Messing.
subsequently had inquiries made as
to my child in Plainfield. whom had
left with her aunt.
"She had just married. at the time of
my inquiries, man by the name of
| Templeton-married well and was hap
py, so did not disturb her.
During my life in New York mar
ried young girl under the name of
Fountain. She thought she had married
me. 1t was another mock marriage. A
scamp of a lawyer, named Parker, acted
the part of a clergyman.
HE had me in his power for years,
and bled me freely, until caught him
in a scrape and held the state prison
over him. Then l was independent.
81 lived with this woman three years
in Putnam county under the name of
Fountain. Then firing of her, l dis
| abused her mind as to the marriage and
| left her, after giving her enough prop
| erty to make her independent. / had a
son by her named Harry Fountain.
| II married another woman under the
same circumstances, forcing Parker to
| perform the marriage ceremony.
HE was my slave now. My name in
this marriage was Simpson. The woman
lives in New Rochelle, and has daugh-
ter now about 10 years old. l made her
independent when left her, which was
only year ago.
| 81 have a villain of a brother who dis
appeared when he was sixteen from Red
Bank, and we all thought him dead. He
turned up five years ago-a terrible
drunkard-and recognized me. l denied
the relationship, but have given him
money to keep him quiet. He wants
rum, that's all.
Parker believes my proper name is
| Pierson-thGt is, he does not know to the
contrary. If he does, he has never shown
it to me.
| "Now-
"When am dead want Judge Hank
ner to establish the fact that my daugh-
ter, now Mrs. Templeton, is my heir.
He will find papers establishing that fact
in a safe in the Chemical bank, in box
inothe charge of the president, marked
TO be delivered only ON the order of the
! surrogate.
Il request Judge Harkner to advise
Mrs. Templeton that it is my wish that
$4,000 be given to Mrs. Messing, of
Philadelphia, if alive at the time of my
| death.
''That $780, 900 be given Mrs. Fountain
if alive at my death, and if not then to
her son Harry Fountain if he be alive.
but if not of age to then he held in trust
for him by Judge Harkner. If he be
dead, then the sum to be divided equally
among Mrs. Templeton's children.
"That $250,00 be given to Mrs. Simp-
son under the same circumstances and
conditions as the gift to the Fountain
woman.
Il desire also that Mrs. Templeton
shall pay weekly to my scamp and Jail,
bird of brother, James Preston, $50, in
the hope that he will soon drink himself
to death.
Il am quite conscious that this is not
will, but if Mrs. Templeton is as good
woman as her mother was she will
obey these instructions.
CHARLES PIERsoN.
New York, April 10, 1874"
Holbrook laid the paper down, over,
whelmed.
CHAPTER XVII.
TOM EXPERIENCES A SENSATION AKIN TIC