The farmers' union., 1893-12-28
Il don't s'pose she'd ever know about


it,"
"Oh. that won't do, Joel; nobodyll
believe that. OF course I'd be willing
to help you, but your plan won't work.
You've either got to show Fitch he
can't win or else offer sum so large as
to excite suspicion of your motive. You
can't do the first, and if you try tho
second the young lady will fling the
money back in your face. It's no use;
and YOU deserve it, too. There's no
excusing your conduct on any grounds,
legal or moral.
The young student, with flushed and
angry face, nodded an emphatic assent
to this conclusion.
The old man seemed strangely moved
at these words. At length he threw
back his coat, and opening his waist
coat, which buttoned to the chin,
brought forth an old sheepskin pocket
book. from which he took paper and
handed it to the lawyer.
Whats this? Her mother
Jest before she died, sir" said the
| other, humbly.
Dear joel"
"Ef you please. sir-' putting out
his hand in remOnstrance.
But the lawyer neither saw the gest-
| ure nor heard the words. His eyes
! were flashing back and forth across
the page.
why this-man alive! We've got
'em!" He sprang to his feet, waving
the paper aloft. Joel, you're brick.
| Luck's with you yet. Well win this
| case, too, as sure as guns. Does she
know about this-the girl, I mean:"
"Ef you'll read little farther you'll
see that-that-"
He paused in embarrassment. The
lawyer was again eagerly scanning the
written page.
why this-I don't understand"
He glanced at his client in wonder.
"Ef you please, sir" The old man
glanced at Ruggles and myself with
an imploring look.
Certainly, Mr.. Pike" said the law
yer, answering the look rather than
| the words: step this way, please"
He led the way into the back room of
the Office.
well, | swear" exclaimed Ruggles
did you hear that? Mister Pike!
Think of it. The old man, too, who
! in his life. l believe they're both
crazy"
For myself I was too bewildered to
make any comment.
| From the consultation room came
! the sound of voices in earnest conver-
! satiOn. Then there was silence, and
| we heard the Senior pacing back and
! forth, as was his wont when in deep
thought. Then there was silence
again, broken only by an occasional
murmur. Finally Mr.. Harmon, open
ing the door, said, bcckoning to his
partner:
"Step this way minute, Ruggles:
! you, too. young man. to me.
"Gentlemen," he said after we had
! followed him into the other room,
! pointing to a document on the table,
this is the last will and testament OF
Mr. Joel Pike: he wishes you to attest
it and also the cOdicil."
He looked at the other, who bowed
with the grace and gravity of a courtier
as he said:
! If you please. gentlemen.
The instrument was a vOluminOu:
one and written in a singularly ever
the sprawling, careless chirograph,
of Mr. Harmon. Mr.. Ruygles signed
the attcsting clauses. both of the viii
and of the codicil. stepped forward
and took the pen to write my name
under his.
oh, beg pardon" said the Senior
taking the pen from my hand. Come
to think, you cannot witness this; II
I have to do it myself"
So he signed instead, and Mr.. Rug
giles and l withdrew. After whilt
the others followed us out. The grca
lawyer accompanied his client to tn,
door, opening it for him and cordial,
shaking his hand, as he said
I'm sorry for it, Mr.. Pike, but I've
done wrong-great wrong"
Its no matter" answered the old
man in his thin, clear voice, I'm used
to it,"
Yet there was an evident glow 0
satisfaction in his face as he spoke
The Senior stood in the door and bad,
him good-by, calling out to him ever
after he had reached the sidewalk:
Ill attend to the matter at once
Mr.. Pike"
His partner and the student locke,
on in undisguised wonder. Joel Pix
clambered into his wood-rack an.
cracked his whip.
, Gee bout" we heard him say. Th
sleek Devons sscd their heads. turne
nimbly into the road and started in