The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1893-08-31
THE THOUSAND POUND WEIGHT,
BY HARVEY SMITH.

/ .y
Never less SO in my ife," declared
Frank, ''and | assure you my appetit,
! is excellent"
In proof he fell to at the viand
which had been selected with care by
young Sanborn, who had a talent il
such affairs. During the meal there
was some vacuous conversation of The
sty4e affected by young men abou
town, who know better, and as they
strolled out they lighted each a fine
cigar
The evening was cold, but clear
and walking was a pleasure.
Shall we 60 to Days, OF the Ly
ceum, or the Casino?" asked youne
Sanborn. ''You know l have the ruI
of the theaters?" He was connected
IN some remote way with the news
papers.
'The Casino" said Grosvenor
briefly, and thither they went.
1t was remarked by young Sanborn
or rather recalled in the light OF
after events-that Grosvenor, who was
always good company, surpassed him.
self on this occasion. The opera was
especially tuneful, and the young men
in the lobby had not seen it more than
SIX times, yet on this occasion it fell
fiat on their ears The polished ban
was far more attractive while Grosve-
nor chatted and discoursed about men
and manners, and something Of wo
men. The audience had dispersed
and the barkeeper had given more
than one polite look at the clock be
fore the young men went their several
ways.
Il will see you to morrow" said
young Sanborn, as he turned up his
coat collar and tucked his cane under
his arm.
Yes, perhaps" said Frank, ambigu
ously; and with that we parted.
1t was a brisk walk of some ten
minutes to his lodgings, and, as the
temperature had noticeably fallen, he
shivered more than once during his
walk. Indeed, it was fully ten min
utes after he had entered his room be
fore he recovered his warmth Then
he lit cigar and drawing an easy
chair up to the fire place. where the
gas logs gave fair imitation Of a
wood fire, he smoked with eyes half
shut.
Presently there came a knock at the
door, and Frank, after some sleepy re
Election, opened it slowly and beheld
on the threshold a small, old man in
black, carrying stout cane with a
gold head in one hand, his hat in the
other. The action disclosed a head
three quarters bald, a face hairless,
but wrinkled as walnut, a thin nose
and lips and pair Of fishy gray eyes.
Frank was not favorably impressed
by the vision. "Well, he said, coldly
Mr. Grosvenor Frank Grosvenor? ?'
said the small, old man.
''Yes, sir"
| called three times to-day-this is
the fourth and was unfortunate in
not meeting you"
Your business" said Frank, with
some displeasure, must be important
that it would not keep until morning.
1T is now past l." observed the
other following Franks glance to the
clock, and you have just returned
You are evidently not the slave OF
time-neither am l. What | have tC
say can be told as we'll now as at high
noon"
Have you anything to say?" asked
Frank with weary smile.
Much or little, as it may happen
He took from his vest pocket a card
and extended it. Il am your uncle
your mothers brother"
Jacob Rawley," read Frank, slow
ly. My mothers name was IRawley
but-will you excuse me-I do not
recall you"
1T Is not likely you ever saw me-
since [ have been absent from Ameri
ca these thirty years-more than youl
years, | fancy. You may remember
certain ieweled amulet which l sent
your mother from Persia when I heard
of your birth"
Il remember it well-in fact, l weal
it on my watch chain," said Frank
holding out his hand. "Will you come
in-and forgive my hesitation"
''Quite natural" said Mr.. Rawley,
sitting down and looking around curl
ously. "A young man of fortune is
naturally exposed to many wiles. You
could not know. now-that am you
uncle. [ still may be an impestor"
Frank laughed shortly. IF SO you
have made a useless call. The amulet
you sent and which | have worn since
the day of its receipt, has been O
little value in averting my ruin"
Are you ruined?" asked Uncle
Jacob, calmly.
"An hour ago [ threw down my last
dollar for cigars, and now | have not
enough to buy the morning paper"
Your mother left you a large sum
did she not?"
Two hundred thousand dollars, 81,
years ago"
And it has vanished. How did il
happen''
Il really can't go into details" re
piled Frank, extending his slipper.
to the blaze, land | never kept diary
Wine, women and cards. l kept +;
yacht one year, and for two seasons
| followed the races. There are som,
thousands owing to me, and l have
no doubt been cheated of thousand
more. But it's all gone now. Gone.
he threw his hands outwards with
gesture of resignation.
"A sad case" said old Rawley. VIII,
had been listening intently. Still i
might be worse. You are young an(
strong and there are many avenus
open to you. L had but dime whel
landed in Pernambuco twenty -fou
years ago"
You had the advantage of me. n,
one knew you there-everybody know
me here"
Il have some money" said the oil,
man. cautiously. IF you go wher
you are unknown, with little capita
there are many admirable opening
for young men in the West"