Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-08-05

best thing I've heard for a year. Tried,
to lick You. did he? Would YOU really
have knocked him down with the,
stool?"
Indeed I should. if he'd come with
in reach OF it,"
"But did You really and truly call
him n canting old hypocrite?"
YES"
"Wcll, I'm poor enough: but Ia have
given five dollars 10 hear il. The man
heard the truth about himself for
once. You're welcome 20 stay here tin
you can do better. Did the deacon say
anything about settling with youP"
"Settling9 l don't understand"
Don't You suppose he owes you
money!"
what forP"
Hasn't he ever said anything to you
about the state of your account, or
given you any money!"
Never What do you mean?7
"rhe old shark He's trying TO
swindle you, rs he has some other
orphans"
As soon as the landlords indigna-
ton had cooled, he gave me an ex-
PLANTATION that surprised me. He said
that the mortgage on which my fa theirs
farm was sold was small in amount,
and that the farm sold well. There
was a surplus, which had been paid in
to the hands of Deacon Halleclx, as my
guardian.
Tom Brough, the lawyers clerk,
was here last night, talking about it.
He says that, with liberal allow
ance for your board and for guardians
fees, tho. deacon ought to have five
hundred dollars for you"
give hundred dollars!" faltered.
How am TO get it?"
"Ah-there is the troubled I suppose
Tom Brough has no business 20 blab
the secrets Of the Office; but when he
has glass in, he'll tell me anything.
He says that Deacon Halleck has made
a great deal of money out of estates,
and defrauded many widows and or
phans, by large bills, delays and all
kinds of law-obstacles He says that
is just what viii happen to you. No
matter. Dorr; III stand by you. III
get some lawyer or other to take your
case, and you can stay with me till it's
decided"
! 1db VI NAAN ACNOAdbAOh-
It'll take time" said
"Yes-of course"
And perhaps the deacon might make
it appear that he don't owe me any
thing"
Hes capable of swearing to any
thing; and you'll have to take YOU
chances with him, of course. But TC
follow him up"
Hes rich and has position and in
Huence; I'm nobody;" l said, continu
! ing TO pile up the obstacles.
4 "You have friends, / tell you'll JUS
take my advicew
Thank you, Mart, believe I'll tr.
another way first"
"What way?"
A sudden inspiration had seized me
81 can't tell you; it's between tn
deacon and me; I'm going right bacl
to see him"
It was not more than an hour fror
the time that left the home of my lat
guardian when I entered it again
There was a little den off the dining
room where deacon kept a desk, tn
pigeon-holes of which were filed wit
2 his notes, leases and mortgages.
ing him here at that hour. He looked IL
from some accounts that he was porin
over, and scowled as he saw me.
What brings you back here?" he d.
manded-
Il was in too great hurry to leav,
" just now. I've come back to have
settlement with you"
He turned sharply, and faced me.
What do you mean?"
81 want YOU to account to me as m
late guardian. It's my belief tn;
3 there's as much as five hundred dolla
. coming TO me-"
a contemptuous smile curled his tn
q lips
~ You're getting along famously, i
- deed What other gossip have -
heard over at the tavern?"
"Wil you settle with me?"
- Look here-you impeTtinent jack
napesl There is ncthing to settle. II
y very small amount of money ths
ID came to me for yon after the sale
,e the farm has been more than consume
d by my charges for board, washing ar
i care. You owe me money yousrelf."
TO 81 shall put my claim in the han'
of a lawyer"
go ahead" he said, defiantly.
ae well, Deacon Halleck-that's Il
al end of that business, for the presen
Ut You'll hear from my lawyer in d'
time. There's something else 1 wa,
AZ to talk about"
He turned his back upon me, al
u busted himself again at his desk.
ssYOur barn was burned last Decel
~ ber''
He wheeled his chair sharply abol
10 "What of that?"
" 81 know who set it afre."
"You do?"
Eyes"
His defiant manner was gone; t
II wrinkles of his face quivered and
w had hard work to return my stea
no look.
g. well" and then came a pau.
''Who did it?''
re you did it,