Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-02
CHAPTERv.
THE TANNING OF A LAND SHARK.

going I'd ME. DOSCOCh. luC idhuioiu
was clever sort of man who thor
oughly disliked the deacon, and, as he
had been quite friendly with my ia
Their, it occurred to me that ! could
claim his hospitality for little while.
till could get the means to pay him.
! found him alone, and briefly de-
scribed what had happened. l thought
he would go into commissions. His fat
sides shook with laughter.
''Well, now. that's glorious! The
best thing I've heard for year. Tried
to lick you, did he? Would you really
have knocked him down with the
stool?"
Indeed should, if he'd come with
in reach of it,"
But did you really and truly call
him canting old hypocrite?"
yes"
well. I'm poor enough; but I'd have
given five dollars to hear it. The man
heard the truth about himself for
once. You're welcome to stay here till
you can do better. Did the deacon say
anything about settling with you?"
Settling? don't understand"
Don't you suppose he owes you
money!"
What for?"
''Why-hes your guardian; or was
Hasn't he ever said anything to you
about the state of your account, or
given you any money!
Never What do you mean?"
"The old shark! He's trying to
swindle You. as he has some other
orphans"
AS soon as the landlords indigna-
tion had cooled. lie gave me an ex-
PLANTATION that surprised Inc. lie said
that the mortgage on which my fathers
farm was sold was small in amount,
and that the farm sold well. There
was surplus, which had been paid in
to the hands of Deacon Ilalleck, as my
guardian.
Tom Brough. the lawyers clerk,
was here last night. talking about it.
He says that, with a liberal allow
ance for your board and for guardians
fees, the deacon ought to have five
hundred dollars for YOU"
...Five hundred dollars" faltered.
''How am to get it?'
"Ah-there is the trouble! 1 suppose
Tom Brough has no business to blab
the secrets of the office; but when he
has a glass in, he'll tell me anything.
He says that Deacon lIallecll has made
a great deal of money out of estates,
and defrauded many widows and or
phans. by large bills, delays and all
kinds of law-obstacles. lie says that
is just what will happen to you. No
matter. Dorr; Ill stand by you. III
get some lawyer or other to take your
case, and you can stay with me till it's
decided"
sat bordering on this revelation.
It'll take time" said.
"Yes-of course"
"And perhaps the deacon might make
1t appear that he don't owe me any
thing"
HAS capable of swearing to any
thing; and you'll have to take your
chances with him. of course. But I'd
follow him up"
"He's rich and has position and in
huence; I'm nobody said, continu-
ing to pile up the obstacles
You have friends, tell you! Just
take my advice."
THANK you, Mart, believe III try
another way first"
What way?"
A sudden inspiration had seized me.
Il can't tell you; it's between the
deacon and me: I'm going right back
to see him."
1t was not more than an hour from
the time that left the home of my late
guardian when | entered it again.
There was little den off the dining
room where deacon kept desk, the
pigeon-holes of which were filed with
his notes, leases srrl mortgages. |
knew his habits. ano' relied upon find
ing him here ut that hour. lie looked up
from some accounts that he was porting
over. and scowled as he saw me.
'.What brings you back here?" he de-
manded.
Il was in too great hurry to leave,
Just now. I've come back to have