The Press., 1894-04-19
CHAPTER IT.

l shall never forget my first experi- ment in my endeavor to Gnd I. E. MT. Dustie's suggestion to examine into Miss Cullom s life was complete fail ure. She had evidently sworn her serv- ants to secrecy for the same eccentric reason that she dictated her strange will. I had therefore to plan for myself, and my first attempt was most amusing, if it wasn't t successful.
 put the following advertisement in the Boston papers:
 Wanted-The address of a certain young lady whose initials are l. B. A legacy of over $5,- 000000 awaits her. The claims of adventuresses will not be entertained. Apply in person to E. F., Palmer House, Boston, on Thursday, June g. before 2 o'clock p. m.
 instructed the walters that if any young ladies called to see me they were to be shown to the large drawing room But it did not occur to me that had no earthly way of identifying l. B. until l read the advertisement in the paper next day However, there was now nothing for it but to take chance. And reasoned that if 1. B. was "on top of the earth the bait of $5,O0O, 900 would bring her to the hotel on Thursday, and l calmly awaited the event.
 1 was immersed in morning paper after breakfast on that Thursday morn ing when waiter approached me and said:
 There are 10 ladies waiting for you in the drawing room, sir. v
 "What?''
 "Ten ladies in the drawing room, sir"
 "Very well. I'll come directly. '" And nearly bit off the end of my cigar with vexation. Ten women to interview all at once! Ye gods! I had peculiar aversion to interviewing more than one at time-1O was-well, I said then, "This is the devil"
 But had hardly ejaculated the "old gentleman's name when another wait CT approached me smilingly and said:
 ''Five more ladies for you, sir. -
 ''How many does that make alto- gether?' I asked, pretending that I ex- pected certain number.
 About 20, sir.
 Twenty devils,'' muttered, Right you are, sir. They're the devil, interjected the waiter. was feeling uncomforta ble. l be- ieve everybody in the room noticed that I was uncomfortable. But the end hadn't come, for just then a stream of walters poured through the doorway, each bearing silver plate, and on each plate were the cards of about half 8 dozen ladies. l didn't look at one ot them. hadn't the courage. As each man delivered his cards and said, -Four, three, six ladies for you, sir, '' grew madder and madder. What to do I knew not. Finally asked for stiff brandy and soda, which didn't do me any good. And still the | procession filed into the room, deposited their cards, grinned and filed out again. I think I'd have given $50 to smash one fellows face. Each time he came in he said:
 They re fllin up, sir. Beauties too. ''
 And l mentally calculated:
 "Confound you''
 ''Sayl' said westerner who hap pened to be present, guess your loo3zan for high kickers for some ballet?'' l
 linen what dye want this beauty show for? Got any objection to a fellow takin a look?"
 Certainly have. Will you be good enough to mind your own business?''
 The westerner chewed his cigar viz orously for moment and then said:
 ''Look here, young fellow, wouldn't lose me temper if was you. 'Twould be dangerous if you was out in Col Ira do. We've habit O startin grayeyards out there pretty sudden.
 mentally wished he would start 3 :. graveyard with me right away. think I'd have enjoyed fight just then, but the hotel manager arrived in time to avert hostilities and said to me:
 Il am sorry, Mr. Patton, but this kind of thing is against the rules. '' What do you mean?''
 Why, this girl business. Both draw ing rooms are full of them; even the stairs are blocked, so that not a guest can pass. What are you going to dc With them?''
 T don't know what to do,' an- swered, quite overcome by the affair.
 ''But something must be done, sir. ''
 "l'm hanged if I know how to man. age it. Look here, manager, can you give me private parlor where I can interview them separatelyf''
 My God, MT. Patton, 1t would take month. F
 Well it's got to be fixed somehow. ''
 But it can't be fixed here, sir, ," said the manager, who was getting angry.