The Yale expositor., 1895-08-23
pc through the proper oHicers Of thc

me through the proper officers Of the
| law"
The first result of this remarkable
conference was jealousy and sus-
picion between Sam Blake and Myra.
Myra's request for permission to
examine the mans ear indicated TO
sam either that she wavered in her
! doubts as TO the strange mans iden-
! tity, or that she was disposed to favor
his false claims for the sake of accru-
ing advantages to herself. Myra on
| her part pondered Sans statement
that ''he had reason to know" that the
proffcred medal was not that of Lit
| tie joe" How could he have any
reason to know that and why had he
concealed from her any such reason?
Then she remembered the memoran-
dunn, so carefully confided to her by
old Mr.. Blake on Sam return from
| Cincinnati. That memorandum was
carefully copied from the genuine
medal, as she well knew. Why was
not that memorandum given to Sam
instead of to herself and that secretly?
And where did the second memoran-
dunn. which referred to other dates
than this, come from? Surely the
story of the idiot boy was an inven-
{ on; ana reluctant as she was to at
last believe Sam Blake base enough to
rob her of her son by concealing his
whereabouts for his own private gain,
she could arrive at no other conclu-
sion. All night she could not sleep.
She had no one to advise her, no dis
Greet friend to consult. She decided at
last for herself-whether wisely or not
the event alone could determine.
Next morning she wrote brief
note to an attorney living at
the county town, and dispatched 1T
to him by confidential servant The
note merely requested the presence OF
Zera Colburn, ESQ.,, "for consultation"
In the afternoon, when Mr. Cofburn
arrived, the following conversation oc-
Cured:
~ have sent for you, Mr.. Colburn, TO
ask your professional advice"
Eyes madam; about your sons es-
tate The case is difficult one. Which
side do you take?"
(Which side of what, Mr.. Colburn'"
1.-The young mans lawsuit"
"Have you seen him?"
''He called upon me yesterday. Do
you recognize him?"
"Oh, no, no. He is not my son, /
am quite sure of that: but"
But" echoed Colburn, anxious to
be sure of his ground before commit
ting himself.
But, Mr.. Colburn, wish to know
whether it will prejudice my interests
should / aid him in his suit-without
recognizing his claim, or without be-
ing a party TO his prctensions
Colburn knew now just where he
stood.
mo, madam; not at all" he
replied; II can prosecute the
claim wholly in your interest,
madam You need not be known in
the matter at all"
| but il troubles my sense of propri-
ETY., Mr.. Colburn, to act in secret; and
] only mothers desire to learn what
| can be known of lost son could IN
duce me to do so. / care nothing for
| the estate"
Let us understand each other,
madam. You wish me 10 aid this
| claimant to the estate to the best of
my power for the love of your lost son;
not for the claimants sake but yours,
and without regard TO your own claims
upon the property"
Thank you, Mr.. Colburn; that's
what wish you to do. / trust TO your
discretion as to what has passed and
may pass between us. Mr.. Colburn,
you are my attorney"
"And as your attorney, Mrs. Blake,
your communications will be sacredly
confidential But must know all, you
understand-even your most secret
thoughts in this matter. You must
not let me labor in the dark"
II have nothing to conceal, Mr. Col
burn. Could it turn out that this man
is indeed my son, much as il would
shock me to believe il, let him have
his rights. But am not a party to
any fraud. Please remember that, Mr.
! Colburn."
IL understand you perfectly, madam.
l
Possibly the claimant will have nc
other attorney-he has no money; and
that must not surprise you, will pre-
pare the bill and petition and show
them to you for approval. Good-morn-
ing"
When CoIburn reached his Office he
dispatched the following note:
| cIOsFPU RTAKF Esq:
"You will find it to your interest to
call upon me at my Office at p. m,
tomorrow. ~ CoLBURS,
"Att'y at Law"
At . p. m. next day Joseph Blake,
ESQ.," called as suggested.
Said Joseph Blake" had already
consulted Mr.. u. Colburn, told his story
and requested that able and honest at
torney 10 undertake his case. But Mr..
u. Colburn hoped to be on the other
side, where he knew there was both
money and power The claimant had
no mono Y, and Colburn did not choose