Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-21
CHAPTER v.


shall never forget the ride to Olmstead that
day through the'feather snow" There is no man
so entertaining an old lawyer when he gets
leave Of his caution to tap his store Of reminis-
cences. Martin Harmon had practieed law at
Hardinsville for thirty years, and for him every
road leading into the country town was
thronged with memories. He knew every man
we met and every house We passed. Despite
the cold, was sorry the end of the journey
came SO soon. After dinner at the hotel 1
walked with him to the house where Sadie
Harrington lodged She was attending school
In the town preparatory to teaching. We had
been friends from childhood. Her mother had
lived in small place. cut off from the north
side of the Gedney farm Her husband had
been absolute vagabond, who squandered all
she had except this little tract, and after his
death she and her daughter would no doubt
have suffered but for the secret benefactions
of the man who owned her ancestral home.
These afforded much amusement to the neigh
bors, being regarded as indirect approaches to
the widow.
There were some who chose to consider them
as offerings made by guilty man to ease a
troubled conscience. According to them, and.
indeed, by universal rumOr, Joel Pike had in
some mysterious but wrongful manner come
into possession of the Gedney farm, where he
had lived since the death of its former owner.
Joshua Gedney had been one of the most pros
porous and prominent men i'll the country
round. Joel Pike had worked for him when a
young man and was much esteemed by his en-
ployer. He was said to have been very hand
some and obliging young fellow, who seemed
devoted heart and soul to his employers
daughter. Susan Gedney. then young girl. 1t
was a matter of surprise, therefore, when he
suddenly left Gedney's service, went west and
only returned after several years. He had been
L
discovery of gold and was said to have been one
of the most successful of those early adven-
turers. II he brought any money back with
him, however. no one saw it. He found his
early sweetheart married, fact which seemed
to greatly disconcert him. though he said little
about it. He remained in the neighborhood
only a short time and nothing more was heard
of him until three or four years later. when he
turned up, on the death of Joshua Gedney, as the
owner Of the whole farm, some 800 acres except
twenty acres, with a small house and orchard,
reserved for life to the daughter. For this he
claimed to have paid $4,000 in gold at that
time a much larger sum than it would be con-
sidered now. In proof of this he showed not
only Joshua Gedney's deed, but also q receipt
for the money, witnessed by the husband of
Susan. The deed was duly acknowledged by
the maker.
The mystery was what had become of the
money. Harrington denied all knowledge of
drunk when he signed the receipt. On the
whole there was a general belief that in some
way or other fraud of the most atrocious
character had been committed. The new owner
would make no explanation. He told his old
employer daughter she was welcome to occupy
the premises rent free as long as she lived. but
her husband must not come upon them OF
course she refused. Not long afterward there
was conflict between the two men, No one
knew how it came about but Harrington was
reported to have been terribly beaten Joel
Pike moved on his new farm. put it in complete
repair and stocked it with the best the country
could afford. He seemed to have all the money
he required, but made no show, nor could anv
one obtain any reliable knowledge as to his
wealth. He hired such labor he required
but would allow no woman to enter the house
where he lived absolutely alone. Indeed, it was
said no one had penetrated farther than the
hall since his occupancy began. A horse which
belonged to him when he went away he had left
With Susan, who had used it during his absence
When she left the place he requested her to take
the horse. On her refusal lie shot the animal
and had never owned another. These things
and many stories illustrative of his eccentrcity
and avarice had heard while teaching the pub
lie school Of the district. Sadie had been one
of my pupils, and though l never heard her
speak of the matter, l sympathized with her
greatly as a victim of Joel Pixies fraud and
avarice and had come to entertain for her
preference not wholly based on pity. did not
wonder that she hated the misery hermit who
had wrOnged her mother 80 bitterly and
knowing well her independent spirit had no
doubt that the senior would come out second
best in the interview he was about to have with
her. 1t was with q smile. therefore that l
heard his careless request to ''come around in
about an hour" when he learned that she was
in.
I sauntered back to the hotel and waited.
fully expecting him to appear before the hour
was up. He did not come, however, and when
L went to her lodging. in compliance with his
request. found them both sitting in the par
Tor, she with a flushed. fearful face but ap-
parently on the best of terms with the lawyer
well" said the senior. after moment. ..vou
two are old friends and know will want little
visit. l don't suppose you would have seen him
before you left, Miss Sadie. if hadn't dragged
him from his books and made him come with
me. i assure you he is "a most devoted student.
II you are to be absent three years I'm afraid
he'll grow to his chair-if he survives at all,
that is
The great liquid eyes overfowed with humor
as he made this bantering comment. But the
intimation his words conveyed was startling
enough.
You are going away" asked her in sur
prise.
..she will enter Mt Holyoke Seminary next
week. !" said the senior answering for her.
Enter Mt. Holyoker'
looked at Miss Harrington, who blushingly
assented.
what? don't understand" said, turning
from one to the other in wonder
II leave Miss Sadie to make the necessary ex-
plantations" said Mr.. Harmon with a laugh at
my perplexity. Then shaking her hand with Il
paternal familiarity, which was irritating enough
he said: Goodbye, nv dear; l wish you all
success. You understand hope that YOU can
only give offense by being economical"
Then he bowed himself out. and / turned to
my companion for explanation. confess was
the door closed when she threw her arms about
my neck. rested her head upon my breast and
began to weep.
Isn't it too bad?" she asked between her
sobs.
Nov, had dreamed Of having that bright
young head In the very position it then occu-
pied too often to give assent to such dolOrous
sentiment, even when enforced by her tears
So answered, non-committally:
''Well-I don't know"
''PoOr mammal she exclaimed with a fresh
burst Of tears. did my best to soothe this
natural outburst Of the motherless girl
''Poor Joel Pikem she continued 1T doesn't
seem as If could go away without seeing him.
Poor Joel Pike" repeated angrily Mis-
cradle old rascal What do you want to see him
fory''
My blood was hot against the old man. and all
the hotter as thought of his having beaten
with stripes the 1.-the form my arms EMBODIED.
''Hush! Hushn' she said putting her hand
upon my lips. ''You must not speak SO. It's
all mistake-a sad mistake. cannot explain;