South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-06-14
Two Hundred Thousand
Pounds.

table position that l found my self in
through too free use Of that uoruly
member, the tongue. was young
fellow then, clerk in q London bank
My father was en- tfficer in the army,
and he oft, tcld US boy that setting
each Of US up in business or profes.
sion was all that he could ever do tor
us, for the scant pittauce be would
leave behind him must belong solely
my mother and sister. But my
brother and 1 were energetic and
hopeful. So long as each day brought
us enough 10 satisfy our daily wants
we rocked little Of the future.
Ore bleak, cold January morning
I was greatly surprised on my arrival
al the bank to find my father pacing
up and down before the building. 1
was not living at home just then, and
his presence there made me fear lest
something was wrong.
Philip he began, you are just in
timer Can you spare me three min.
utes p
Yes, SIR 1 replied. for q wonder,
I see am ten minutes earlier than !
need be-
You know Mr.. Fosberry 2
oh, you mean the hal.icracked old
mai who is awfully rich, and is my
god father, as we'll as cousin thirty
times removed?' l asked.
Yes, was the reply. We'll, las.
night / received a letter from him J.,
after years CT silence. In which he
asked alter you. And he read me
the ie;teI.'
what a queer old boy! exclaim.
ed. What does he meant for / did
rot exactly uhdersfani it.
'Mean!' cried my father, excitedly
snatching the letter from me. and
crushing il in his pocket. 'Mean!-
why to make you his heir, Philip
his heir!
wv ew,' said !, bus hing. that's a
good idea
You must apply for leave and go
off at once,' said my father. Strike
while the iron is hot. It's splendid
chance, Phi ip-sp'endId! Use 1t
well, aud your fortune is madel
So | thought, applied for leave, and
set of for the Paddington station soon
after, With my ears ringing with le.
gion of instructions for pleasing old
men given me by my fellow clerks.
The only one | codld clearly remem.
Der was, TO rice whenever he came in :
to the room, and then eschew every
comfortable arm chair for fear he
should want it. felt bursting with
importance, and actually treated my.
sell to glass Of hot whisky and wa
ter at the refreshment room.
Hello, Williams J suddenly cri ed
voice.
why jock. what brings you here?'
replied, recognizing q friend, John
Evans.
Il am going down to Gloucester
said be. Where are you off to2'
oh, to such luck = / cried. I'm
off beyond Hereford to honor an old
gentleman
What? said Jack.
Come along, and I'll tell you all
about IT, said 1. Second classP Yes,
all right. Here we are.
After We we're settled In our places
an old man got in. He was poorly
dressed and wore green shade over
one eye, while the other looked weak
and dropping. We grunted OUT dis
approval at his entrance. and made
mutual grimaces. but as bis blind eye
was towards US they we're lost to him.
As the train moved OF | told Jack
my story, which you know already.
Well done, Philip Your bread
Is buttered for you be exclaimed,
when he had heard me to the end.
What a glorious chance Man alive,
wish ] we're in your shoes, that's
ALL
Yes, yes my boy. All rightr
exclaimed. Well, it's a shame II
don't secure a good smoke now, be-
fore nay pipe goes out In obscurity.
Do you object TO smoke, sir p
This latter question was addressed
TO the old gentleman in the corner
who appeared curious mass Of old
coats, railway rugs and newspapers.
Il do object very much, was the
gruffy spoken reply.
Very sorry, sirJ' said !. IN keep
nv head ont of the windOV them