The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-12-18
UNEXPECTED $4,000.

cious, ambitious, but just now the very
much discouraged owner of the Smith
plantation and it's encumbrances. Two
weeks before she had been summoned
from her school at Staunton by the
death of her grandfather, and, as there
was no other relative, had entered at
once into possession of the property.
A few days after the funeral the own
er of the mortgage had made an osten-
sible visit of coincidence. but had so
interpolated his expressions of SYM
pathy with matters of practical signifi-
canoe that when he left Willie was for
the first time aware that she was only
the nominal owner of her plantation.
At first she was stunned, for she had
already begun to make plans for the
improvement and extension of the an
cestral acres. The poor cabins OF the
negro tenants were to be replaced by
new ones, neglected fields were to be
again fenced and brought into cultiva-
ton, and better methods and better
machinery were to be used. Her grand
father had been easy-going and inn
practica BILE, but she had supposed that
had been met by the rents paid him by
negro tenants. Now she knew that the
mortgage had been gradually increased
to meet the deficits.
This morning she was in the kitchen
helping Aunt Chloe with the ironing,
but her thoughts were busy with the
formidable problems of the future.
There were the expenses and the in
terest to be met, and, worst of all, there
was 500 still due her school at Staun-
ton. She could not see any possible
way to pay it, for the season had been
bad, and the renters, instead of paying
what they owed, were beginning to
cIamor for advances on the next years
crops; and the creditor had delicately
hinted that her grandfather had al
ready raised the mortgage out of all
proportion to it's security. In anxious
succession her mind went over her own
accomplishments in search of some
thing that would be money-producing.
She was fond of scribbling, and was
fairly good at drawing and music, and
had won a school reputation as lin
guist But she was too honest and
practical to overrate these accomplish
ments. They were good things to
know, but would not help her at this
crisis No, she must struggle as best
she could until the creditor foreclosed;
then she would go out and seek place
among the wage earners.
"Heyer's yo' mail, Mis- Willie" called
Uncle Tobe's voice through the open
window. and black hand was thrust
in with package of letters. She took
them and glanced over the postmarks
carelessly. Most of them were from
school friends at Staunton. Several
were circulars, and one was one from
Leadville, Col. She selected this and
examined it curiously. She had no
correspondents in any part of the West.
Inside was check and short letter,
with the printed address of a Leadville
banking house. The letter read:
willie Smith, Talbottom, Ga: We
are requested to forward you the in
closed check for ten thousand dollars
(S1O,OOO. Please acknowledge receipt,
and oblige, yours truly,
"WALDRoN & CO."
She stared at it for moment, then
hurriedly examined the check. Yes, it
was for $4,000, made in favor of Willie
Smith. But, of course, it was a mis-
take. If she had any relatives in the
world, they were so far removed as to
have been overlooked, and certainly
none of them was rich enough to send
her $4,000.
Talbottom was a small, unprogres-
siye town, whose struggling arms
reached out drowsily to the line fence
of the Smith plantation. Willie cross
ed two fields and went down a short
lane, and was then in the principal
street. There was but one bank, and
it's cashier was an old friend of her
grandfather's. She went directly to
him and explained her errand.
81 reckon it's all right, Willie" said
the old man, after he had carefully ex-
amined the envelope and it's contents
''It's directed to Willie Smith, Talbot
tom, and you're the only Willie Smith
1 know And Waldron & Co. are all
right. Our house has dealt with them
And I'm bound. to say, my DEAR" put
ting down the papers and looking at her
beamingly, I'm plumb glad for this
windfall- / can almost hear yo' grand
father chuckle in his grave"
But it can't be mine," insisted Will
lie 81 don't even know that have
relative in all the world"
Somebody yo family has lost sight
Of" said the cashier genially. Now
there's a man over in Jasper County
got a fortune from cousin he hasn't
heard from in thirty years. / reckon
this is something that way. It's likely
yo' mothers cousin or somebody else.
Anyhow. it's all right. and I'm willing
to take the check. VIII you have the
money, or leave it on deposit?"
81 wish l felt more sure" hesitated
Willie.
We'll, suppose telegraph to Wal
dron & Co. Can you come in again this
afternoon?
yes"
When she returned in the afternoon
the cashier handed her a slip of paper.
1t read:
merchants Bank, Talbottom, Ca
Gentlemen: Nothing to explain. We
forwarded check to Willie Smith, Tai
bottom, as requested. If the party pre-
senting it can be identified you may
cash same with perfect safety. Yours,
''WALDRON & CO."
$50 you see it is all right" said the
cashier Now, you will please indorse
the check"
Willie did so with sudden feeling of
exu1tation.
How will you have it ?" briskly.
Suppose you give me $4,000. That
viii pay off the mortgage and make