The Press., 1892-07-28

| my uncle lost his wife and baby at once they were thrown from 8 carriage, you know, and both killed-there were whispers about the family curse falling on my uncle You have known the I family for years, can you tell me if there is any wrong that can right con nected with the property?"
 The lawyer turned toward him, You have often heard, no doubt. of letting well enough alone" he said.
 ''But is it we'll enough9 That is what I want to know. My father always taught me that do justly was rule to be followed literally-not figure of , speech. do not know who can tell me better than you what want to know"
 'sI am not sure that you can do any l thing, if do tell you what l know of your family's history, and if you are the man take you for the knowledge will not make you happier"
 II must risk that" answered John s;omers. meeting steadily the lawyers syes.
 The latter settled himself in his chair. Your ancestors on your mothers side, the Boultons," he said, "owned much land adjoining this property, which in your grandfather's time belonged to the Douglas family, of whom you have heard. But, like many rich men, your grandfather, while owning much GOV eted more, and his neighbours acres were 1 fertile.
 Stephen Douglas and his wife were q kindly, honest couple, thinking no evil and trusting their more pretentious friend, for your grandfather acted in a very friendly manner toward them. He l took warm interest in their business; made bargains with them which, how ever, always fell out mysteriously ill his favor; and once, when an unfavorable sea- son spoiled their crops, advanced them money with great alacrity, the interest, which was high, should run on-he did not need it. At last in various ways he got them in his power, and as they were growing old, and their only child, d son, had left home to follow the sea-and in those days letters passed but rarely and news travelled slowly-there was no one to look after their interests ana warn the old couple of their dangerous friend Matters went from bad to worse and at last the end came.
 "One day MT. Boulton foreclosed the mortgage and the Douglases had not money outside their property to meet it. At first they were too nearly dazed to realize that the man whom they had trusted fully had been working their ruin for years. They looked first at each other Git was in this room they say that the scene took place), then as the truth came home to them Stephen Douglass turned and faced your grandfather. You have ruined Margery and me, he said slowly, but your ill gotten gains will not prosper. You have worked your own undoing, for you will never en- joy what you have sinned against your own soul to gain. A curse will follow you and your name. You will be pun ished in your sons, for your wicked blood flows in their veins, and when your time comes to die your sin will lie heavy on your soul, and you would give all you own to undo this days work
 1.-The covetous man quailed before the just wrath of the simple minded man whom he had despoiled, and from the day when the poor old couple, driven from their home, where they had spent all their married life, took refuge in the little spring house in the swampy meadow, in sight of their own old home, misfortune followed him. He kept his wealth to be sure, but his sons quarreled among themselves, and as they grew older their evil lives were notorious, even in those days when vice was hid den less than new. They were large, strong men, but violent fever attacked them, and their evil courses did not fit them to resist it. Two of them died. It was said that one of them called his brother in to play the violin for him to keep up his spirits as he lay on his deathbed and raved and swore dreadful oaths with his last breath. All your uncles, as you know, died unmarried, except your Uncle Martin, and as he left no children of course this property naturally falls to you, as your mother was the only daughter of the family "What became of the Douglas family?' asked John Somers. ''Who are left of it?''
 Stephen and his wife died ill the little house down in the meadow. It was very pathetic, the neighbors said, to hear the old man when he grew childish fret ting for his lost land. He was Tory, and he used to wish that the British would come and then he would get his farm back, he said, but his dim old eyes looked in vain for the friendly British. l heard that years after the old couple were both dead a man came here and inquired about them and went to see their graves. He said he was their son who wont to sea years ago, and have never been able to find out anything definite about him. When he heard of his parents injuries he would not see any of your family, though he and your uncle Martin had played together as boys. He was handsome man, people said, and looked prosperous, but have