Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-02-28
CHAPTER VII

There was street IN Oxford, near the
ruins of the ancient castle, and behind
the new county Jail, where one of the
many offsets of the Isis filters it's artifi-
cial way beneath low arches and betwixt
dead walls; and this street was known to
the elder generation by the name of
"Crossduck Lane"
Here, in a highly respectable house,
truly respectable man was living, with
his business and his family. Luke
Sharp, gentleman" was his name. de-
scription, style and .itle; and he was not
by any means bad man, SO as to be an
attorney.
This man possessed great deal of in
fluence. having much house-property; and
he never in the least disguised his senti-
ments, or played fast and loose with
them. Being of a commanding figure,
and fine straightforward aspect, he left
OH impression, wherever ne went, of hon
esty, vigor and manliness. And he went
into very good society, as often as he
cared to do so; for although not native
of Oxford. but of unknown origin, he
row was the head, and indeed the EN-
tirety, of a lOng-eStablished legal firm
He had married the daughter of the
senior partner and bought or ousted
away the rest; and although the legend
on his plato was still Piper, Pepper.
Sharp, and Co." every one knew that
the learning, wealth, and honor of the
whole concern were now embodied in Mr..
Luke Sharp.
His wife, fat and goodly person,
Miranda Piper of former days, happened
to be the first cousin and nearest relative
of famous man-'PCrt-wine Permit
age" himself: and his death had affected
her very sadly. For she found that he
had provided a most unjust disposal OF
his worldly goods. To his godson, her
only child and her idol. Christopher Fer
mitage Sharp, he had left a copy of DR..
Daddridge's "E2positor," and nothing
else. Mrs. Luke Sharp. though very
good Christian. repacked and sent back
the "Expositor."
If Mr.. Sharp had been at home, he
would not have let her do so. He was
full at all times of large, generous i'm
pulse, but never yet guilty of impulsive
acts. 1t had always been said that his
son was to have the bottled half-pipe of
gold. or the chief body of it, after the
widows life-interest. Whereas now,
Mrs. Fermitage. if she liked, might roll
s.i the bottles down the High street She,
however, was careful woman; and it
wss manifest where the whole of this
vintage would be binned av'ay-to wit.
in the cellars of BccEley Barton. with
the key g. Grace Oglander's very pretty
waist. Mr.. Sharp at the moment could
descry no cure; but still to show temper
was vulgar thing.
Now upon the New Years day of
1888. the bitter weather continuing still,
and 2c:ng its hest to grow more bitter,
Mr.. Sharp had closed his office early.
He had ordered his turkey to be kept
back, and begged his wife TO see to it
until he could make out and settle the
import of letter which reached him
about one o'clock. 1t had been delivered
by groom on horseback. The letter
was short, and expounded little
Sir
Il shall do myself the honor of calling
upon you at four o'clock this afternoon.
upon some important business Obedient-
" yours,
russell 0VERSHUTE."
Ii is not altogether an agreeable thing,
even for a man with the finest conscience
to receive a challenge upon an unknown
point, CURLY worded in this wise. Luke
Sharp had led an unblemished life. since
the follies Of his youth suoSided; he sub
scribed TO inevitable charities: and he
waited for his rents when sure of them.
Still he did not like that letter.
Now he took off the coat which he
wore at his desk and washed his nice
white hands. and clothed himself in ex-
pensive dignity, theS ne opened his book
of daily entries. and folded blotting-pa-
per, and prepared 10 receive instructions.
or give advice. or be wise abstractedly
But he thought it q sound precaution TO
have his son Christopher within earshot:
for young Overshute was reputed TO be
Of rather excitable nature; therefore
Kit Sharp was COMMANDED to finish the
cleaning of his gun-which was his chief
delight-in his fathers closet adjoining
the office. and to keep the door shut, I'M
less called for.
The lawyer was not kept waiting lond.
As the clock of ST. Thomas struck four.
the shoes of horse rang sharply on the
icy road. and the office bell kicked up its
tongue, with q jerk showing great en-
ergy. Let him ring again" said Mr.
Sharp: Il defy him to ring much h.vd-
er."