Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-01-06
UNEXPECTED $4,000.

Willie Smith was 19-pretty, Viva
cious. ambitious, but just now the very
much discouraged owner of the Smith
plantatio and its 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 farv days after the funeral the own
er of the mortgage had made an osten-
sIble visit of coincidence, but had SO
Interpolatcd his expressions OF sym
pathy with matters of practical signif-
cance 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 or 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 I'M
practica Bile, but she had supposed that
her schooling and the house expenses
had been met by the rents paid him by
negro tenants. Now she knew that the
mortgage had been gradually increaser
to meet the deficits.
This morning she was in the Kitchen
helping Aunt Chloe with the ironing,
but her thoughts were busy with the
formida bic 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 1t. for the season had been
bad. and the renters. instead of paying
what they owed, were beginning to
clamor for advances on the next year
crops; and the creditor had delicately
hinted that her grandfather had al
ready raised the mortgage out OF all
proportion TO Its security. In anxious
succession her mind went over her own
accomplishme ents in search OF some
thing that would be money producing.
She was fond of scribbllng, and was
fairly good at drawing and music, and
had won a school reputation as lin
gulst. But she was too honest and
practical 10 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 a place
among the wage earners.
'fHeys.f's yo' mail. Mis- Willie" called
Uncie Tobe's voice through the open
window. and a black hand was thrust
In with a package Of letters. She took
them and glanced over the postmarks
carelessIy. Most of them were from
school friends at Staunton. Several
were circulars, and one was one from
Leadvllle, Col. She selected this and
examined IL curiously. She had no
correspondents In any part Of the West.
Inside was a check and a short letter,
with the printed address of Leadville
banking house. The letter read:
Willie Smith, Talbottom. Ca: We
are requested to forward you the in
closed check for ten thousand dollars
(S1O.OOO. Please acknowledge receipt
and obIIge, yours truly,
"wALDRoN & CO."
She stared at It for a moment, then
hurriedly examined the check. Yes. 1,
was for $4,000, made In favor of Willie
Smith. But, of course, 1t was a mis-
take. If she had any relatives in the
world. they were so far removed as to
ofvlx
none OF them was rich enough to send
her $4,000.
Talbottom was a small, unprogres
sive 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
its cashier was an old friend Of hel
grandfather's. She went directly tc
him and explained her errand.
Il reckon It's all right. Willie" said
the old man. after he had carefully ex.
amined the envelope and Its contents
It's directed to Willie Smith, Talbot
tom. and you're the only Willie Smith
l 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 thif
windfau | can almost hear yo' grand
father chuckle in his grave"
But 1t can't be mine," insisted VII
lie. 81 don't even know that I have q
relative In all the world"
Somebody yo' family has lost sigh,
Of" said the cashier genially. Now
there's a man over In Jasper County
got a fortune from a cousin he hasn',
heard from In thirty years. I reckon
this is something that way. It's likely
yo' mothers cousin or somebody else.
Anyhow. It's all right, and I'm willing
20 take the check. VIII you have the
money. or leave II on deposit?"
Il wish felt more sure" hesitated
Willie.
We'll. suppose I telegraph to Wal
dron & Co. Can you come in again this
nfternoon>"
Yes"
Whcn she returned In the afternoon
the cashier handed her a slip Of paper.
II read:
Merchants Bank, Talbottom, Ca
Nothing TO explain. We
check to Willie Smith, Tai
as requested. If the party pre-
entlns it can be identified you may
ash same with perfect safety. Yours,
"WALDRON & CO."
so you see 1t Is all right" said the
asher. Now, you will please indorse
he check"
Willie did so with a sudden feeling OF
xUltatiOn.
How will you have itT' briskly.
Suppose you give me $4,000. That
ill pay off the mortgage and make
,rue uappsSarv reDajrs The rest / will