The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-02-01


had told him once that the farm
would be his some day and some
times, when Albert felt respondent
at his slow promotion, he pictured
himself as living in the cabin, in old
age, without even nephew to visit
him. The thought made him tender
toward the old man.
Just as Albert was about to speak
to Miss Pennington, once more, he
heard her fathers voice: ''My dear
young friends" and the rest of the
dinner was devoted to remarks, part
ly instructive and partly catechet-
ical, from that gentleman.
Nevertheless Albert went home re-
joicing. He felt that he had made
great step. Thereafter, he was en-
titled to raise his hat respectfully to
Miss Pennington on Sunday and upon
| the rare occasions when he met her
on the street. Moreover, as in duty
bound, he made his dinner call and
acquitted himself with credit, his con-
versation being mostly with Mrs.
Pennington.
Great-uncle Morris died suddenly
that year, not long after Albert re
turned from his November vacation.
1t was a shock and surprise to his
nephew, for the old man was still
vigorous and had seemed in even bet
| ter health than usual. Albert OBJ
| tanned leave of absence without sal
airy and, drawing his little balance
from the savings bank, hurried to
| Wisconsin to be present at the funer-
al. The attendance was larger than
he had expected; he was pleased to
see how many friends and neighbors
came to do honor to the dead. Chief
among the assembly was Judge
Steinberg, of Oshkosh, who greeted
Albert cordially.
After the services were over, the
Judge accompanied Albert back to the
cabin and seated himself in Uncle
Norris chair, with the air of host
rather than that of a guest.
'Of course, Mr.. Whitney, you know
that you are your great-uncle's sole
heir. but I believe that you are not
aware that Morris Whitney was one
of the richest men in the county,"
"No-was hep" gasped Albert.
Judge Steinberg smiled. Like most
men. he enjoyed telling good story.
81 have known your uncle all his life;
we were friends in youth, and have al
ways enjoyed his confidence. Years
ago he had an experience which caused
him to lose faith in all women, and
most men, but which it is not for me
to repeat. He bought this farm, which
is larger than it appears, for much of
it is leased, and retired to this out-of-
the-way spot. It was his delight that
you should love him for himself alone.
The annuity which your mother re-
ceived, after your fathers death, was
paid by him on the express condition
that she should not enlighten you in
regard to his affairs. 1 have to con-
graduate you on the inheritance of a
very considerable fortune, which is eX
cellently well invested. 1 shall be
pleased to act as your agent, as l was
your uncle's, but that is for you to de-
eide"
Albert listened with dazed attention,
that hardly left room for joy, to the
long list of stocks and bonds of which
he was now the possessor. All of them
were at par, and some of them far above
it.
81 am utterly inexperienced" he
said, land know nothing of business,
except in the hardware trade. could
ask nothing better than to have such
~ -
advantage as well as mine that you
should manage the property, am only
too glad.'
The family were at breakfast when
Mr.. Pennington's eye fell on this para
graph in the Daily Conservative:
albert Whitney, clerk in the en-
ployment of Jobson & Co., importers
and wholesale dealers in hardware, is
the sole heir to the estate of his great
uncle, Norris Whitney, of Door county,
Wis, recently deceased. The estate, in
addition to lands, amounts to over $780,
600, mostly invested in standard stocks
and bonds"
He read it aloud. albert Whitney,"
SdIO, lutU Is Tic tACSlleul
young man whom we know. Unjust tel
ephone to DR.. Shepherd for confrma-
ton.
"Hello-good morning, doctor. AL
bert Whitney, of Jobson & Co., is the
same Mr.. Whitney who belongs to our
church, is he not?-I thought so. Have
you read the paragraph about him in
the Conservative, this morning ?-I
thought you would be.-So am 1"
Mr.. Pennington returned to the break
fast table. Il am sincerely rejoiced,"
he said. cit is provfdential that so
large a fortune should come into the
hands of a young man of such piety and
rectitude."
Gladys looked up, pleased and inter
ested. She thought again what nice
dark eyes Mr.. Whitney had.
'My DEAR" said her father to his
wife, "we must invite him to dinner
| again and introduce him to some of our
prominent people. AS we did not ig-
more him in his obscurity, we can bet
ter afford to congratulate him on his
prosperity"
At the select dinner party which fol-
lowed Albert was the guest of honor,