Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1892-05-05

DAN' 1OiiS gNoio aSO q 1stoO VII III
der my own observation, and at the
time thought it rather the action of
careful decision OF an eccentric mind.
At the time | IA living in Boston and
practicing law. Directly opposite my
home was the old and stately man.
sion of Godfrey Dobbins. 1t vas a
magnificent place surrounded by q
lawn as smooth as the surface OF some
calm inland lake and studded here and
there with flower gardens, which were
noted throughout the city for their
beauty. The house was AN old one,
but well preserved, and stood back
some distance from the street. 1t was
invisible to the public save when the
winds parted the branches OF the
pines which surrounded it. Then the
glimpse obtained was only suffi-
Gent to excite curiosity, rather than
to allay it.
One couidsee thegabled peaks OF the
house; and itsleafy portico, overgrown
with roses and with honey-suckles;
and its heavily suffered windows. A
fit place for the residence OF a man
such as it's owner was-quiet and IN
assuming, neve seen abroad, except
when driven out morning and evening
by a liveried coachman. He had Few,
if any acquaintance, and, in spite OF
the advances made by society, he re-
manned quiet and alone in the seclu-
sion OF the mansion. All knew that
he was wealthy, for quite a large por-
ton OF the real estate in his neighbor-
hood belonged to him, and then the
magnificent business block, lately
erected, bore the name OF Dobbins. /
guess / had farther insight into his af-
fairs than any one else, however not
as his neighbor, but as his attorney.
He had employed me several times
as his advocate, and on each OF these
occasions | had spent the better part
of the day in the old house. Several
weeks previous to the time of which /
write he had desired me to draw up
his will, leaving everything to anephew
in New York. He admitted that he
knew nothing of this relative, save
that he was the son OF his sister, and
that he resided and was in business III
that city. By this will the young man
was made heirto about three-quarters
of a million OF dollars in Government
bonds and about one.quarter in real
estate.
Imagine my surprise when, on wax
ing a week or so after this event, Twas
informed by my wife that old Dobbins
had died during the night, and that
DIR. Custer, his physician, was await
ing me down stairs. The doctor knew
that i was the most intimate of the
old mans acquaintance, and thought
/ might know the residence OF his rela-
tives, ii he had any.
The nephew, Chester Young, was the
only one of whom | knew, so he was
immediately summoned. He tele-
graphed that he could not come until
Sunday and wished the funeral to
take place on that day.
Ny horror of the old mansion, with
it's dark and dreary halls, was only
increased by the thought that its
former occupant now lay there silent
in death, so | declined the offers OF
the doctor to sit up and watch with
him.
When Sunday came the nephew, a
bright young man OF % OF "a years,
who was the only mourner at the flu
neral, which took place from the
house,
This young man did not makea
very good impression on either mt or
my wife, but we concluded that it
would improve on better acquain-
tance. But no. rather the other
way; the more we saw OF him the less
We liked him.
He had no mind at all for business,
as | soon found out when | consulted
with him regarding the disposal OF
some of the property. OF course, he
being the owner Of the estate. and |
merely the attorney. | was obliged
to follow his directions. A great deal
of the valuable property was disposed
of, as he said, to get rid OF the burden
OF taxes.
Chester Young soon began to re-
model the old place. He fitted it up
in the most modern style and de-
stroyed its beauty and picturesque.
ness by cutting down the graceful trees
which so long had waved their bene-
diction over it. He erected a new
stable, and in the place OF the old
family horses, which had been the
delight of his aged uncle, he drove a
pair of tan-colored trotters, which he
had purchased tine week after his
arrival.
Society received him with open
arms, and the ladies bestowed on him
| their sweetest smiles.
As he accepted their courtesies, he,
too, must entertain. This he did in
magnificent style, scarcely three
months after his uncle's death. So
ciety overlooked this breach OF af-
lection on tne grounds that the uncle
had never shown the slightest sign OF
affection and love for the young man
during his life; but the old folks shook
their heads and in silence thought
that it looked very bad, and was sure
to reflect upon the young mans flu
ture life.
The gay young master OF Sunny Side,
as he himself termed the place, had
round after round OF gayety, and new
er seemed more happy than with a
house fdll OF young men whom he in
vited from New Yorkto partake of his
cup OF pleasure.
This went on for three years, much
to my secret disgust.
Again and again did ! demonstrate
with the young man, and warned him
at last that in the year Just gone past
he had overstepped his income to the
amount of $4,000.
whats that he ieplied laughing
ly. 81 coulddo that for a good many
years, and then settle down with
enough for life"
This speech was similar to the 9TH
ers he made to me in reference to bus
mess affairs, and showed his disposi-
ton.
At last growing tired OF his foolery,
had resolved to inform him that |
could no longer manage his affairs,
when | received a visitor.
He was so much like old Godfrey
Qobbins that | was startled by the
resemblance.
"Are We alone, Mr.. GrayY" my Wis
itor asked.