The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1905-03-03


father sent me when Henry came
home and got the little farm. In it,,
father tells me that he will disinherit
Henry and make me sole heir That
letter is worth something, of course,
but doubt whether it will be sufficient
to establish my claim"
AS he finished, he drew his hand
over his brow and eyes, and l noticed
that he was indeed very much
troubled.
You see" he continued, Il wouldn't
mind sharing with my brother, for
cannot forget our boyhood days; but
| know he would not stop until he'd
have the lions share, and it would be
painful, then, to see him squander the
fortune father built up through years
OF close economy"
"I'll tell you, Fred" I said, after a
long pause, you want legal advice.
Don't you know Of good lawyer?
You certainly do not share the preju-
dice of your father?"
oh, no." he answered "In fact,
one of the best lawyers of the city is
a friend of mine, and l have made up
my mind to see him tomorrow. You
Will, Of course, go with me. And while
we are waiting for your luncheon, you
might as well read the letter"
He handed me an old letter, and |
read it carefully. OF course it was but
a fatherly communication and nothing
like legal document, but it certainly
could be used to advantage in suit.
| was just about to comment on it,
when the servant announced that the
meal was ready Immediately Fred
arose, and, throwing the letter careless
ly on the desk, said
Come, now; you must be hungry
after that walk"
While maturing our plans during
the meal. thought | heard noise in
the library, the room in which the
desk stood. | remarked $500 it, but
Fred's mind was so occupied with the
lost will that he had not heard it.
Guess the servant is in there
Strengthening things up Bit" he
said. 1--WE don't get much company
around here, and when any one comes
it makes him nervous"
After | had satisfied my hunger Fred
asked me if | would like to look about
tthe homestead. l told him was
little tired and would rather sit and
chat in the library, He assented and
led the way. He must have been
thinking of his letter as he entered,
for he walked right up to the desk.
Then | heard him utter a cry.
looked and saw his hand nervously
fumbling through the papers.
Anything missing?" / asked.
Eyes, the letter.
May be the servant mislaid it while
he was dusting"
The servant, an old darkey and former
slave, was called. He denied having
touched the papers.
Did you see anybody in this room,
after we left it," Fred asked.
mo, massa."
We'll, did you see anybody about
the house?"
mo stranger, massa. Jes' Massa
Henry wild his gun out a-huntin''
My brother?" Fred quickly asked
WAS he near the house?"
yes, Massa Henry was a-chasin
rabbit. He jes done show me de rab-
bit runnin' down de hill He say he
no mo- shoot today. Massa Henry
mighty good to me; give me a big
coon he shot"
When did you see my brother near
the house?"
bout fifteen minutes go. l jes'
give de old woman de coon-fne, fat
coon, she says-an' den come here"
We'll, you can go, Ezra"
Turning to me, Fred asked me if l
thought his brother had stolen the
letter.
1T looks that way" l answered,
especially as it would be of great
value to him."
Don't you think l ought to ride
over to his house at once, and
Il don't think that will do you any
good"
Nevertheless, I'll ride over
He ordered horse saddled. When
the darkey came in to say it was ready,
he added
"Massa Henry got fine boss"
How do you know" Fred inquired.
He ies' done ride down he road
fine, black boss"
We looked at each other in surprise,
but for a while neither said a word.
Fred evidently did not know what to
advise.
Fred told Ezra that he would not
use the horse. After the surprised ne
gro had gone, my friend walked to the
window, and stood there, lost in
thought. | joined him. Before us was
a grand scene. The sun was setting,
and lent it's colors to the rushing
river, and the fields were waiting for