The Press., 1894-04-19

the opposite side of the carriage and the train stopped suddenly.
 With smothered cath and an aching head rang for the guard and inquired, What the deuce is the meaning of this?''
 A way train ahead, sir. We must follow slowly until we get to some loop and then pass her. .
 .'But paid for this train to arrive in Boston not later than 3 o'clock.
 Never fear, sir, we'll get there. ;
 But was not so certain of getting there,'' and I forthwith relegated that particular way train to the very remot- est region in certain very hot place. 1 fumed and swore until we started again, and my passion waxed stronger when, as we bowled into the Old Col ony station, l saw that it was 20 min utes past o'clock.
 But at last I reached the office of Hosea Dustie. I sent in my card and was at once admitted to the presence of baldheaded, sinister looking individ- ual whose eyes were flied upon curi- ous looking clock, the minute hand of which pointed to within a few seconds of the hour of 4.
 I afterward learned that this clock was specially fitted up to time my ar rival and was connected with the ob- servatory clock of Harvard to avoid mischance.
 "Ah!" It was very long drawn ah!- that sigh of Hosea Dustie. And so you are here? I am pleased to see you, MT. Patton. Take a seat. l suppose you were surprised to get my letter." "Yes, was surprised.
 "Ah, hem. thought so. But this is very unpleasant affair, MT. Patton
 "What do you mean?' l inquired, be- ginning to think that I was being hoaxed.
 Strangely unpleasant, continued the lawyer.
 ''I wish you would explain, sir.
 "Ahem! See here, young man. Did you ever hear of Sara Cullem?'
 I was beginning to realize that my prospect of getting the millions was vanishing, but nevertheless l answered truthfully:
 "Never, sir. until I received your let ter"
 | "Deuced queer. Ahem! Rum ones, these women folks. We'll, sir, you'll have a hot time to win Miss Cullom t money. But I must call in a notary while I read her will to you.
 And after a few minutes delay heard the contents of the will as follows In the name of God, amen: I La;,, ~f nd, ind 1n roo1Y and devise this my last will and testament l To wit, give and bequeath all and everything I may die seized and possessed of to Ebeneze | Patton upon the following conditions: To wit that. providing my death shall happen befor June 30, he shall, on or before the 10th day O April next following, marry l. B-the young lady particularly described in the sealed lette addressed to my lawyer, Hosea Dustie. Ih' said sealed letter, which contains ample in structions for the proper Identification of th said l. B., shall not be opened until the morn | ing of the day aforesaid. Should my death talk place after June 30, then shall the same coEdi | tons be in force and take effect, except that th | date for the production of the said I. B. as th' wife of the said Ebenezer Patton shall remail the 10th day of April of the succeeding year In failure of which conditions direct that al my possessions, save and except the moneys which, in the discretion of the said Hosea Dus tie, he shall deem it necessary to advance t the said Ebenezer Patton to expedite his searcl for the said I. B.. shall be used for the estab | lishment of founding hospital in the distric of Brookline, Mass. As witness my hand ant seal, etc.
 Here followed a short codicil, whicl read:
 In the event of the failure of the said Eben | ezer Patton to discover and wed the said 1. B as directed, if, in the opinion of the said Hose | Dustie, the said young Patton shall have trul and diligently endeavored to carry out the in 1 tention of this my last will, then, and upon Il l other conditions, shall he receive the sum o $20,000, it being clearly understood that should | the said Ebenezer Patton show no interest il this matter he shall be forthwith deprived of al benefit heretrom. and for this purpose and t ascertain his wishes 1 direct that he shall b | required to make oath that he will well ant truly search for and wed the said I, B. befor being accepted by said Hosea Dustie m | provisional heir. The said oath to be made a | or before o'clock on the Thursday week sue ceeding my death.
 was completely knocked out by thi extraordinary will, and was engrosset in thinking oyer it when the lawyer in terrupted my meditation by saying:
 Curious, eh?''
 "Yes, it is very strange affair.""
 But he inquired, ''are you pre- pared to make the oath?"
 II must think.
 But you haven't time, young man Iris now 10 minutes to 5 o'clock. don't know how you re to find the girl but if you can find her and marry he it means nearly $7.O0O, 900 in yo4 pocket. Are you in love with anybody?'
 "No.
 "Then, why do you hesitate9 Here MT. Notary, get ready your Bible There's the oath, MT. Patton; just rea' it and sign at once, or you lose all chanc