The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1896-04-11
CHARS4.EY WIBURN'S LUCK.

Charley Wiburn and | are cousins.
but, somehow, l scarcely seem to be-
long to the family at all We had no
md of relations, and he was a general
fayorite with all, even some he had
never seen, for they would die and leave
him legacies. He was constantly get
ting some little "windfalP Of this
hind, till at length Charley Wiburn's
luck" became a general catchword
among us-a synonym for all that was
lucky and fortunate.
One morning at breakfast-we wesN
artists and shared the same rooms and
studio-he received a black-edged let
ter, which, upon opening and reading,
he cast down with discontinued look.
Another funeral to go to" he grum-
bled. '.and here are my pictures uniin.
ished and next week is sending-in day.
"Who is it now?' l asked. "Ahother
legacy, l suppose, eh?"
"Yery likely" he returned, indiffer-
rntly-he was so used to these things
he scarcely took any notice of them now,
ITS Uncle Alexander Stephen. Did you
know him?"
l shook my head. "Have heard OF
him; never saw him." said.
II hardly knew him myself Charley
explained-''at least, not since / was a
boy. It's a rare bother, this, coming
just now. Such long journey into the
country. l say, Jack, you have done
/ your pictures and sent them in and have
nothing to do for spell-couldn' you
go down for me?"
What, in your name?" l exclaimed
Eyes, why not? It's years since
was among any of the set. This letter
is from Mr.. Parchly, the solicitor to
the will, suppose; he doesn't know me.
You are Jack Wiburn-it's only differ
cnce of Christian name, and it's all
in the family, you know"
To cut the matter short, | had to
eonsent-as 1 generally did where
! Charley was concerned.
| took the lawyers letter, as sort
Of credential, and set out, grulnbling a
good deal at what considered Chdrley's
''cheek" in thus making use of me. If
| had finished up my work before he
had it was only because | had worked
at it more constantly, and now, instead
Of reaping the advantage in the shape
Of few days rest, he made it an ex-
cuse for sending me off on lugr brous
mission like this; and Charley would,
no doubt, have good legacy, too, out
of it.
81 don't suppose it's much" he said
to me. perhaps hundred or two
hardly worth going down for. you
know!"
So | had to go-with no legacy in
view at all, small or large!
However, as | have said, | set out for
the place-it was Devonshire--und in
due course arrived at the little town.
and put up at hotel for the night
The funeral was fixed for the following
day, and on inquiry | learned that the
house ] had TO go to was only short
distance away.
The next day, therefore, saw me
among the assembled guests. fount
out Mr.. Parchly and silently showed
him his own letter "Ah," sad he
you are Mr.. Wiburn. Very good
! Glad to see you" l did not reply, Sc
he concluded that l was Charley wi
burn, without having said anything
one way or the other.
But, when, after the funeral. the will
came to be read, | found Charley wa,
down for G 5000. That made me tbinl
1t harder lines than ever that | shoulf
have had to come down in his place
Inc weather was atrociously cold, tn,
{ March winds strong and clustering
J with showers of sleet and snow. and
felt cold and miserable. AT the enf
of the reading of the will was max
. ing my way out to get back to the hotel
when some one said: ''NTr Wilburn
! | believer looked around and saw
a stiff, military-looking old boy re-
, garding me with a smile through hi,
!, spectaeles. Charley" said he, dom
/ you remember me?" I thought to nv
Z self: "Oh, now I'm. in for il. Here,
) nice mess-all through trying to serv,
{ Charley. just my bad luck" Tbi,
feeling did not grow less when he said
: Milly wants to speak to you. Sh,
has been looking at you. and saws Oh,
can hardly recognize you for her al,
: playfellow." Ono WONDER" / Thought
1T would be strange if she did.ro
She came up and shook hands ane
4 the moment l looked at her | simpIv fol
Ill =
. helpless over head and ears in low,
, then and there. She seemed to h, N,
loVeliest, most adorable creatura
d. had ever seen. A sudden resolve cam
into my mind. Rather than run IN,
I. FISK oil losing The chance / now had al
I speaking to her | would say notbino
. about my not being Charley" lettbe
consequences be what they might
I Don't you remember your i;tu,
, playmate, Milly2" said She Win !
b olush and an enhancing look of he,
beautiful eyes. well its not So -
/, ?rising, for / should never have l.no,,',
you either. if Mr. Parchly hal NO,
pointed you out TO me-" ''
Before l exactly realized what
! 1olng | was whisked off to Mai -
i t nelas hoase-as found the name q,
h nllly father TO be-to dine. callino n,
way s' ON the
I iouna the majors house "a mont
.ule'-iooking little place ON fine o,,,
,Nirts Of the town. lie lived Atom. Nm.
Wis daughter (bis wife being d.sd, y, y