Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-06-02
80. By....
CHARLES CLARK MUM

bdScOLu anu OAKS regarding money
really due them, but he had to allay the
curiosity of his wife and Telly as we'll.
In a small village like the Cape every
ones movements We're well known to
all and commented on, and no one was
better aware of it than Uncle Terry.
But go to Boston he must, and to do so
right in the dead of winter and not OK
cite small tempest Of curious gossip
taxed his Yankee wit.
/ AT Bath he had few hours wait
and went to the bank and drew sum
Of money from his small savings.
Lawyers are sech sharps, consarn
'em!" he said to himself. "I'd better
go loaded. Most likely I'll come back
skinned. l never did tackle lawyer
'thout losin' my Shirt
When, after an all night ride, during
which he sat in the smoking car with
his pipe and thoughts for company, he
arrived in Boston, he felt, as he would
phrase 1t, like a cat in a strange gar
ret. He had tried to fortify himself
against the expected meeting with this
Frye, who, he felt sure, would make
him pay dearly for any service. When
ne entered the rather untidy office Of
that legal light Uncle Terry looked sus-
p1ciously at it's occupant.
| well, sir, what can l do for your"
asked Frye after his visitor had intro.
duced himself.
WAL" answered Uncle Terry, tax
ing seat and laying his hat on the
| floor beside him, "I've come on rather
curis Grand" And, taking out the
SLIP he had few days before placed
in his wallet, he handed it to Frye
with the remark, THAT'S my errand."
Frye's face frightened.
Il am very glad to see you, Mr.. Ter
ry," he said, beginning to rub his hands
together. "If you have any facts in
your possession that will aid us In the
search for an heir to this estate we
shall be glad to pay you for them, pro-
v1ded they are facts. Now, sir, what is
your story?"
Uncle Terry looked at the lawyer a
moment before answering.
II didn't come here to tell all 1 knew
the fust go off," he said. 81 know all
bout this shipwreck an good deal
more that'll consarn We, but fust 1
want to know who is lookin' for the
Information an what's likely to cum
ont"
1t was Frye's turn to stare now.
This man won't be any easy wit
ness he thought, and then he said,
THAT l am not at liberty to disclose
until l know what facts you can es-
tablish, but rest assured that any in
formation you may have, If it be proved
OF real value, will entitle you to an
ample reward"
Il reckon We don't quite ketch on to
my drift" replied Uncle Terry. Isl
didn't cum here lookin' fer pay, but to
see that Justice was sarved an them
as had rights got thar dues"
Well, SIR" said Frye in suaye
voice, I'VE, too. are looking to see the
ends Of justice served, but you must
understand that in matter of this i'm
portance we must make no mistakes.
An estate awaits claimant but that
claimant must establish his or her
identity beyond the shadow Of doubt
in order, as you must see, that Justice
may be done"
Waal.' replied Uncle Terry, stroking
his chin with his thumb and finger
while he deliberated, II s'pose may
as well tell We fust as last. I cum
here for that purpose, an all want to
fix is. If thars nothin' in it ye'd keep
1t secret an not raise any false hopes
in the minds O. them as is near and
dear to me-"
Its lawyers professional duty
never to disclose any business conf
dence that a client may contide to
him." answered Frye, with dignity,
land in this matter l infer you wish
to become my client. Am 1 right, Mr.
Terry?"
II didn't cum here exactly purposin
to hire ye," answered Uncle Terry. II
cum to find what's in the wind, an If
twas likely to mount to anything to
tell all knew an see that them as
had rights got justice. AS told We in
the fust ont, Pm keeper o. the light at
the end O. Southport island, an have
been for thirty year.
Zone night in March, Just nineteen
SS'A o5O Soililil ILLS spring, luur WAS
a small bark got a-foul o, White Hoss
ledge right otf'n the pint and stayed
thar hard an fast. l seen her soon
as twas light, but thar was nothin
that could be done but build fire an
stand an watch the poor critters go
down. Long toward noon l spied
bundle workin in, an when it struck
made fast to it with boat hook
an found baby inside an alive. My
Wife an | took care ont and have
been doing so ever since. 1t was a
gal baby, and she growed up into
young lady. Bout ten years ago we
took out papers legally adoptin her,
am 50 she's ourn. From a paper we
found pinned to her clothes we learned
her name was Etelka Peterson, an
that her mother, an we supposed her
father, went down that day right in
sight O us. Thar was Il locket round
the child's neck an a couple o. rings in