Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-05
CHAPTER LvIII.
THE LONDON LAWYER.

than an hour by rail-General Harding
| rarely visits the metropolis; but once
or twice year, to transact business
with his solicitor and renew fellow
ship with old acquaintance most OF
| them like himself, retired military men,
whom he meets at bis club. On these
occasions he seldom stays long in town
only for few days country life being
more congenial to him.
Some length of time after receiving
that latest epistle from Henry-his
mind meanwhile having been i'll at
ease-he determines on a run up to
town and talk with Lawyer Lawson
upon the subject He can then also sat
isfy himself about the thousand pounds
which he had directed the solicitor to
pay over to his son.
You, General" says Mr.. Lawson,
the solicitor, rising to receive him.
Long time since you honored me with
visit. I've been wondering what had
become of you, and was just about to
write to you concerning those East
India bonds. Your calling will save
postage Ha! hal"
"Never mind about the bonds re-
turns the General well talk of them
by and bye. I've something of more
concern Just now-several things. First,
have you heard anything lately of my
son, Henry?"
mot word, General. Why do you
ask"
"You say you've heard nothing OF
Henry since he drew that thousand
pounds from your"
Drew a thousand pounds from me!
l don't understand you, General
What! Didn't you pay him over
thousand pounds? l wrote directing
you to that effect"
Not a penny. 1 never received such
instructions from you, nor any one
else"
"The deuce you didn't! But had you
no letter from me come-let me see
some three or four months ago, request
ing you to give him cheque for that
amount"
Indeed I had not, General Harding.
No letter of the kind ever came into
ray hands, or my Office, either"
Every odd l sent the letter to you
by post-he having written to me he
would call at your Office for the cheque.
But has he not been to you about it,"
"To me, no. Nor to this Office that
have ever heard. My son. If he seen
him, would certainly have spoken to
me of this-a matter so momentous.
He's not in at present; but the inquiry
clerk, who's never out, will be able to
say whether Mr.. Henry Harding has
been here. We make memorandum
of all callers and their business. Can
you fix the date, General?"
mot exactly, without referring to
my papers at home AS I've said, some
three or four months ago. 1t was then
my poor boy left Beechwoods.
"Mr. Williams!" calls the lawyer, not
wanting to ring his doorbell, but step
ping to the door and speaking out,
come this way. and bring your call
book with you"
The clerk. SO summoned, enters, car
rying under his arm a large volume In
vellum.
"Mr. Williams" asks the lawyer, 'do
you remember Mr.. Henry Harding hav-
ing called at the office about four
months ago?"
81 think l do, sir. But we'll find it
down here"
Ths clerk, after long look at the
entering, commences turning over the
leaves of the book till he reaches par
ticular page. There stopping, he points
out certain entry 1t is:
MAY 21st, half-past eleven a. NJ
Mr. Henry Harding, son of General
Harding, Beechwoods Park, Bueking-
hamshire, called to inquire if any COM
munication from his father-intended
for self. Answer-None received
Another leaf is laid back showing
second entry, thus:
May 22d, same hour-Mr. Henry
Harding called again. Same question
as day before-same answer"
stild a third leaf, the next bears mem
orandum relating to the same gentle
man:
May 23d.-Mr Henry Harding, as on
days before-do. do"
mo other entries?" asks the lawyer
of his clerk.
mo, sir None of the mare Hard
ing
You're sure?"
quite sure. sir" answers the clerk.
st seems he has been here, General.
about the time you speak Of Strange
I never heard of 1t. Mr.. Williams"
continues the lawyer, turning rather
sharply on his subordinate, why did
you not inform me of Mr. Harding hav-
ing called?"
"You were out at the time, sir; told