Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-14

Of money from his small savings.
Lawyers are sech sharps. consarn
en-" he said to himself. I'D better
go loaded. Most likely I'll come bach
skinned. l never did tackle a lawyer
'thout losin' my shirt"
When, after an all night ride, during
which he sat in the smoking car witt
his pipe and thoughts for company, he
arrived In Boston, he felt as he would
phrase 1t. like cat in n 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. Whct
he entered the rather untidy office OF
that legal light Uncle Terry looked sus
piciously at It's occupant.
"Well, sir, what can | do for youT'
asked Frye after his visitor had intro
duccd himself.
'Waal," answered Uncle Terry, tax
ing seat and laying his hat on the
floor beside him. i've come on rather
IL curis Grand" And, taking out the
slip he had a few days before placed
in his wallet, he handed it to Frye
with the remark. THAT'S my Grand
Frye's face frightened.
Il am very glad to see you. MIR. Ter
ry,' lie said. beginning TO rub his hands
together. "If you have any facts II
your possession that will aid MS in the
search for an heir to this estate we
shall be glad to pay you for them, pro
vided they are facts. Now, sir what il
your story
Uncle Terry looked at the lawyer q
moment before answering.
II didn't come here to tell all knew
the fust 70 off," he said Il know all
bout this shipwreck an good deal
more thatIl consarn yc, but f,ist |
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 I am not at liberty TO disclose
until | know what facts you can cs
taDlish. but rest assured that any in
formation YOU may have. If ii be proved
Of real value. will enttle you to on
ample reward"
Il reckon We don't quite ketch on e
my drift" replied Uncle Terry. 81
didn't cum here loollin' fer pay. but to
soc that Justice WAS sarvcd an them
Rs had rights got thar dues
well, sir" said Frye in a suave
voice, 1--WE. too. are looking to see the
ends Of justice served but Won must
understand that in matter of this i'm
COrtance we must make no mistakes
An estate awaits n claimant but that
claimant must establish his or hcl
in order, as you must Sec that justice
may be done
"Waal." replied Uncle Terry. strokinc
his chin with his thumb and finger
while he dclibcrated, II s'pose | may
as well tell We fust as last. cum
here for that purpose, an all want to
fix is, if thars nothin in it yc'd keen
1t a 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 client may contde TO
him." answered Frye with dignity,
land in this matter infer you wish
to become my client. Am I right. Mr..
Ierry?'
81 didn't cum here exactly purposin'
to hire ye." answered Jncie Terry. Il
rum 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 ye in
the fust ont, I'm keeper o the light AT
the end O Southport island, an have
been for thirty year.
lone night in March, just nineteen
year ago comm this spring. thar was
a small bark got nfoul o White Hoss
ledge right offn the pint and stayed
thar hard an fast. seen her soon
rs twas light. but thar was nothin
that could be done but build a fire an
stand an watch the poor critters go
down. Long toward noon | spied n
bundle workin' in. an when it struck
| made fast to it with a boat hook
nm found baby inside an alive, My
wife an ! took care ont and have
been doing SO ever since 1t was q
gal DaDN, ana Snp ErOWru up INTO
young lady Bout ten years ago we
took out papers legally adoptin' her
an so she's ourn. From Il paper We
found pinned to her clothes we learned
her name WAS Etelka Peterson, an
that her mother. an we supposed hel
father, went down that day right il
sight o us Thar was n locket rounC
tho child's neck an n couple O rings il
the box. an we have kept EN- an tn,
papers an all her baby clothes eve
since. ShaCs the hull story
How did this child live TO re
Bshore?' asked Frye, keenly interest
ed.
That's the curis part" replied Uncl
Terry. she was put in box an
tied tween two feather beds an Gun
ashore dry as duck"
Frye strokcd his nose rehectvely
STOPPING over as he did and watching
his visitor with hawk-like eyes.
"A very we'll told tale. MIR. Terry.
he said at last. "a very well told tai
indeed, OF course You have retaine,
all the articles you say were found OF
the child?"
Eyes. we've kept 'em all. you ma
be sure" replied Uncle Terry
And why did You never make an
official report of this wreck and of tn