Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-28
TCopYR1oHrED $780,

one with suspicion, and shaped his conduct &C
cordingly. The world upon which he locke
through his little piggish eyes, was R nea
world moved by the lever of selfshness tn
fucrum ordishonesty. His manner was brusqu
and overbearing-he took life by the throat au
squeezed out what he considered to be his due.
The nervous and sensitive nature OF the timi,
girl he scared into marrying him soon witheret
under his clustering manner; his son. who in
herited his temper without his coarseness, hat
left the parental roof in anger; and he had runet
his own brother prospects in life by unfoundeC
accueations.
This last circumstance was brought home tc
him he sat in mis- city Office reading legal doc.
ument. but Il ere was no sign OF regret in the ex-
preston OF his broai red face. On the contrary.
the sight Of his brothers name had thrown him
III it had not been for him, - he growled,
shaking the document aDgriiy, land Tor ms
brat Of girl, the whole OF fhis property would
have come to me. There's that fool = icholson,
too; why the dickens did he die without seeing
mef I've no Patiencs with the man bottle
OF bay rum, too, and receipt for the govt
pshaw, 1t makes me i'll. -
Henry" ne bawled wi h such savage energy
IS TO thrill every clerk in the long room to the
''Yes, sir. comm, sir. - said the messenger :,
who was accustomed at this hour to get his
masters luncheon, 'iugged hare, curried
"curried lawyer you jagged rascal, - roared
Mr.. Dalston, one of whose peculiarities it was
at once, 4 We mind
In few minutes Mr.. Smooth appeared
softly closed the d 1or after him. approached his
Turning client on tlptoe, and imprisoned the big
coarse hand in Doth OF his own downy paws.
''Ah, my dear sir-mY very dear sir-has some
unprinCipled person been taking advantage
again of your good nature?''
49, Pom my word, Smooth, If were a sea cap
tain ia give you regular employment. You've
foot wave
"Facetious as ever I see. pity we not all
possessed Of your fund of spirits.''
Fund of spirits be - said the other,
irritsbly. 'I'n not a cellar, cask, nor q
butt either, so drop our soap and water fool
ishness and listen to this
Pray proceed, - said the lawyer sitting with
his bach to the window, so that his clients face
should be in the light while his own was in the
shade.
Mr.. Dalston raped the document smartly-
then read the contents in a hard metallic, voice:
Last will and testament OF John Nicholson.
OF Prospect Ranch, Texas:
II, John Blaine Nicholson, give and bequeath
my ranch-Pros pect Place-together with all
stock ard effects ttereon-and the sum of 3d.
90 to u.y nephew, Sydney Blaine, condition
that within two years of the date hereof. he
marie. Kate, only daughter OF my much loved,
but malignei and misunderstood friend, Wiz
liam Dal5ton. whose forgiveness here humbly
crave. Should sydney Elaine not comply with
this condition, or should he be GIready ed,
the property to be sold and the proceeds to be
divided evenly between my neuhew, Drummond
Dalston, and the said Kate Dalston. Further,
direct, that the contents OF this Will be made
known to Sydney Blaine within twelve mohths
of the date hereof. by James Milimay Dalslou.
whom | appcint sole execute, and to whom
leave in recognition of his treachery to my
brother. my undying contempt, together with a
bottle of bay rum for his badness, and a specific
for the govt"
Signed March 25th, 1879. and Witnessed
MAY the old bear be eternally bay rum d. -
CALCULATED DAlston rubbing his hand over his
bald crown, ''for such an ungrateful return for
my kindness in warning him against my
brothers. arts. What you yrinnng at, eh?''
my dear sir-I was merely expressing sur
''surprisel cant you give me something more
practical. I've good mind TO wash my hands
of the matter and decline to act as executor"
softly, softly, my friend. The will is not
Isn't it, . sneered the other. ''shOw me q
certainly. THE lawyer took the will in hi.
hand, and smoothed it out. "ln he FIRST place,
young Blaine may be married-or he NAV be
dead. secondly-he may not choose to marry
Miss Dalston.'
"Rubbish-what sane man would not marry
E35 ,OO0 and n cattle ranch?''
Thirdly" continued the lawyer unmoved.
'Blaine may not be able to find MSS Da .ston
within the time stated. Do you know where
''No-and what is more-I don't care to
know
craftily into the others eyes, and then pro-
ceeded in tones significant of hidden meaning:
You coulf easily place her in the hands of
friends where she would be secure from un- |
timely attention -
Dalston's small eyes twiukled at this sugges-
''Fourthly-If this Blaine is like other young |
men, he is open to temptation, to fisttery, to |
the wiles, whatever course they make take, of
shrewd agent" The lawyer paused.
~ do not see your point said Dalston
mopping his brow.
Smooth edged his chair nearer. 1--WE pre-
sumo Blaine gets into debt and falls into the
power of certain party who can enforce any
conditions he pleases; or suppose he comprom.
take to be the most feasible case-we will pre-
sumo that he is assisted by an agent to marry
the girl OF his choice. for he is bound to have
some love affair in progress. Hot blood will
have its course you know
But it is stated herein that he must be in
formed of his good fortune within twelve
Let Blaine compromise himself, or marry
first, and then make the will known to him.
Your son can then marry Kate, and the whole
fortune pass under YOUR control. -
Good - said the merchant with a heavy
thump of his hand. You have the making of
a lord chancellor in you. Now what course do
you propose-eh, You sly fox
Now you touch upon unsafe ground" said
the lawyer. with soft smile "A will is a very
delicate matter-a very delicate matter indeed to
fwill Goo destroy the delicacy?''
"sir. you wound my professional honor
81 Professional Gu dity you mean? You forget
that can act uron the advice you have already
given me, without further assistance from
Certainly my dear sir" said Smooth. taking
his hat, no hing more simple" He looked |
up al the ceiling and murmur d IN soft voice,
las 4 matter of professional interest l would
take pains in seeing how you succeed. have
friend At the probate court who would be glad to
nave the history of the case"
Curse Won, for n petty Jogging brief snatch !
IT. Would $50 satisfy your scruples?''
Il make no bargain, sir. II you must have |
NY advice, would value 1t at fl000, to be in
luded in my account against you for past
ices. aud spread over the whole in the shape
If additions 10 each Item
DSlston stihed down his passion and signifed
lis assent to these terms.
"Now-what course do you propose?''
The lawyer leant back in his chair, lost in
bought. Lei me see. both Blaine and your
ION are in the colonies -
eyes, they are fighting in Zululand.''
'Splendid! Providence is playing into our
la DIS, and may well end our difficulties by
pitting his young fellow spear
I'VE cannot trust to accident or chance"
nuttered Dalston anPrily as his grasping mind 6
Iwelt on the prospect of losing the fortune.
For moment or two Smooth seemed in !
uandary.
'No, we-that is, you cannot" The lawyer
walked softly to and fro. II have q man in my t
We. reckless Iuffian who called on me in
eference to this very Mr.. Nicholson. He had
ONE over here from America with Mr.. Nichol- | [
on, and got into trouble through staggering |. q
bout with revolver
"a likely man-some Yankee shaper! What t
his name?'
''Rowe-Cob Rowe, think he STYLES himself {
.ooks as fierce as an untamed wolf, and rosi- h
lively made me feel in dread OF my life. Money | 4
Till purchase his services - D
''And what am 10 do with this flibuster IL .
mage him?'' "
Pine him up with whisky, give him ESQ "
own, book his passage to South Africa and p
ee him off next week ~