The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1891-11-20

with his. uncle, and, being so far apart,
they could keep right, and if not, and
he lost his share of Jack Burlcson's
estate, made money was better than
given money, anyway
For week after Dicks departure the
old man hoped against hope; but one
day, when Ike Brennan carelessly
asked: ssWhen is Dick coming back
from the west?" then he knew the lad
had gone to shift for himself, and, lone
" as it left him, he thoroughly liked
Dick for doing it. After this Ike and
the judge spent much time together.
They kept up perpetual quarrel, but
they were well matched, and after
years disputing, the victory on every
single point was disputed one. Some
times, at the end of long argument.
and a long silence, the judge would say:
''Have you heard <anytbing?" and then
Ike, shaking his head, and shaking the
ashes from his pipe, would rise and go
away.
Early in the second year the judge
had an accident that completely inva-
! lided him; and after some months de-
cline he quietly passed away. Singu-
larly enough, there was no will found,
and LYMAN Snced took possession of
! everything. No Dick appeared to dis
| pute his claim. Ike smoked away in
his old, shady corner, and smiled queer
/ w to himself when he saw how diligent-
ly Lyman began to improve the city
lots, and how cleverly he collected and
invested the outstanding accounts OF
the estate.
In all things but one Lyman's fortune
prospered-Nona still refused all his
attentions. But as soon as tho judge
was dead he began to use stronger
means of persuasion Nona's father
owed him a large sum, and their home
was mortgaged for it's payment. Ly-
man soon let father and daughter see
on what terms only the Duval place
could be saved; and the father cared
too much for his own indulgence not to
press with all his power SO desirable
method of clearin off his liabilities
Nothing of this plan, however, came
to likes knowledge until one night old
Duval, in a fit of maudlin intoxication,
revealed it. Then he went home full
of anxiety. He had no money that
would touch Nona's needs, and he had
not yet heard anything from Dick.
''I'd give twenty of my best cows to
l.
sold, as he pushed open the latchless
door of his log cabin. A man was sit
ting in his own chair fast asleep
''Dick at LaSt!'
One soul wakes another, and Dick
opened his eyes wide and answered:
''Here I am, LEG!'
"You tormenting youngster, where
have you been?'
sgT7. nd YNraRint1S little
luck either At last / went to Yuba
and Nevada, and tried hard to make my
pile. Two months ago Jim Harrison
strayed up there and told me uncle was
dead, and Mona going to marry Lyman
Sneed 1 couldn't stand that, AID so
came along with what had"
"How much?'
s'Only eight thousand dollars"
That's enough ! guess you'll find
yourself richer than you think p"
The next morning. Mona Duval COM
pletely amazed Lyman Sneed by enter
ing his Office accompanied by Ike Bren-
nan and paving in full every claim he
had on the Duval place. But he was
still more amazed by an official notice
to meet, next day, the heirs of Jack
Burleson and hear his will read He
found at the place appointed Dick
Burleson, Mona Duval, Ike Brennan
and three of the principal citizens of
the place. The will, leaving nearly
everything to Dick, was without a
flaw. Lyman simply received one hun
bred dollars for every month during
which he had taken care of the estate.
''He took very good care of it, gen
tlemen,' said Ike, lust as good care as
if he thought Dick would never come
back. He has earned his money, you
bet. But I'm glad my watch is over
very. have been kept too wide awake
for anything, between pretty woman
and clever lawyer. E. Barr
in N. Y. Ledger.