The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1900-11-17
A BLACK SHEEP.
BY HARRY LOCKWOOD.

w wv '"'"'t' were ucll Dv spur
Gus title; in other words, that Deaco
Washburn did not own them Mt nj
This was startling discovery to til
unfortunate man. The claimant of tn
estate brought proofs which only
long and expensive suit could Sc
aside.
sorry to turn you from your home
which you have paid for fairly en-
ough," said Mr.. HCvkins, bandly
but 1t isn't my fault that the perso;
who gave you the title to this prop
erty had no right to do 80. Indeed
you were in fault for not learning th,
lrresponsibility of the party when yo,
made the purchase. l shall not fore,
You to move away until you have sufii
ciently recovered to do SO. | am r
Kind man at heart. you see. Mr.. Wash
burn"
| Then "kind- hearted" Hoskins
smirked and bowed. and left the cot
tage.
The deacon was half-crazed by the
situation. He could not afford ia
carry on an expensive legal suit, with
the probability of being defeated in
the end
Charlie and Joe were in no situation
TO assist him; and Mrs. Washburn
was more weak and tremulous than
ever before.
1here seemed to he no alternative
They must give up their home and
whittier?
A week dragged away.
Then letter came to Deacon Wash
burn, written in a scrawly business
hand. 1t was pithy affair, and as
follows:
81 read in newspaper that one AL
bert Hoskins disputed the legality of
Joseph Washburn's title to the home
ana land which the latter was sup
posed to own. Knowing Mr.. Hoskins
TO be an INSCRIPTIONS villain, l will
come to Centreville, and legally Op-
pose his claims. in your behalf.
Respectfully, etc,
Lansing. Attorney at Law"
"A sort of joy choked the voice Of
Petronlla as she read the singular let
ter aloud to Mr.. Washburn.
but who is this Lansing? Another
fraud. 1t is likely" exclaimed the old
man. not daring to believe turn in
his fortunes to be possible.
Perhaps not, Uncle Joe; we mustn't
give up in that way, for l do not be-
lieve God has forgotten u.s." exclaimed
Pet. stroking the silver-gray locks of
her bencfactor.
That's so, child. At any rate this
Lansing can't do any worse by us
than Hoskins WILL and we might as
well accept his aid, if he has any to
Offer"
SO it was settled.
Within week civil suit in the
courts began. which Deacon Wash
burn was not able to attend.
But he learned that Lansing. the
lawyer who had volunteered aid. was
l brilliant young man, and that Al
bert Hoskins dared not push his claims
after the attorney had presented the
)tner side or the case.
The claimant seemed to stand great
y In fear of his opponent. and a ru
nor was circulated that Hoskins was
,uilty of numerous crooked transac-
ions, of which the young lawyer
threatened to convict him.
So. after single days trial. the
ase was decided, and Deacon Wash
'urns title to his hard-earned pos
essiOns pronounced genuine.
Early in the evening after the trial
knock sounded upon the door of the
Vashburn cottage.
Pet answered the summons, fling
1g the door open wide.
A tall, dark-bearded stranger crossed
he threshold, and a pair of handsome
yes looked down upon Petronilla.
She uttered little gasp, her cheeks
ushing slightly. and then becoming
S white as death.
1T is-Harry" she managed to ar
culate.
Yes, Pet. So you had not quite for
often the face of the black sheep?"
turned his deep. musical tones.
Forgotten you"' terminating her ex-
with little scream of joy.
Then adding, in a bewildered sort
way:
But l supposed you were dead. and !
e had been mourning for you all
ese years. Is it really, truly, our
arry?' {
The young man laughed softly.
"No, did not perish in the great
saster upon the Hudson. though it
as by almost miracle that es- '
ped. The report of my death was i
afterward. and had l not G
opposed that you read it l should i
I'VE written to you. l sawan account V
fathers misfortunes in news O
per. and thought it about time for II
e black sheep to return and redeem Il
5 reputation. So l wrote to father, e
yning as Lansing. And l trust that