Amador ledger., 1905-04-07
Cbe 0ie-up Of the
Greofri>x ESfofe
[Original.1

quarters. during the prenm1nary weed
Ing out of useless accumulations took
from box of old papers a bundle that
astonished me. 1t contained docu-
ments relating to an estate of which
had never heard. They consisted Of
deeds to houses and lands, also stocks,
bonds and other property
l could not have been more surprised
If an angel had come down from
heaven and lit on my shoulder How
had these papers come into my posses
sion? 1 had no remembrance of hav-
ing placed anything in the box for
several years. On examining some of
them 1 found the estate to be held in
trust for a minor, John Carter Greatrix.
I had never heard of such person
On further examination I came to the
conclusion that the estate in question
must have remained unavailable by
any one from the time these papers
had been placed in my box. What
should 1 do in the matter? If 1 adver-
tised them and could give no salts
factory reason for possessing them l
might be accused of having stolen
them. l had engaged my passage on
an ocean liner and resolved to pro-
ceed on my journey, which would give
me plenty of time to think over the
best course to pursue. l sailed the next
day.
During my trip 1 met in Berlin an
American, Miss Eleanor Thurlow, who
was there with her mother studying
music with a view to teaching it on
her return She finished her course
about the time l met her, and as her
mother and she spent the summer in
Switzerland 1 was enabled to see a
great deal of them, for stayed where
they stayed, and on our return l en-
gagged passage on the same steamer
Before embarking we were engaged
During the voyage l thought at inter
vals about the estate of young John
Carter GreatriX, wondering if he had
come into possession of it and trying
to decide what l should do about max
ing known that had the papers. Now
that another was the partner of my
joys and sorrows 1 felt my response
bility more keenly. I debated whether
1 should confide in Eleanor Thurlow;
but, having known me only a very
short time, she might grow suspicious
OF me. No, l would wait till she knew
me better. I told her that l had a
little property and was engaged in
business in which l was doing well.
On the whole, we could live comforta-
bly,. She maintained a reserve with
reference to her own affairs; but, as
she was expecting to teach music, L
concluded she was possessed of little
or nothing. We parted as soon as we
reached America to go to our respec-
tive homes, which were a days journey
apart.
Meanwhile had resolved to refer the
matter of the papers to my lawyer and
be guided by his advice. In relating
the circumstance to him 1 had no soon
er mentioned the name of the minor
for whom the estate was held than he
jumped TO his feet excitedly and, run
ming to his partners, exclaimed:
"The papers in the Greatrix estate
are foundw
Years before the firm had settled a
case for me out of court and handed
me the papers concerning 1t, which
tossed unopened In a box at home.
Later 1 was given another bundle con-
tanning the papers in this same case
and, supposing them to be additional
documents, tossed them into the same
box. One Of these bundles contained
the Greatrix papers, given me by mis-
take.
Immediately on my return to my
rooms 1 wrote my fiancee, unburden-
ing myself to her Of the annoyance
had suffered. She replied, congratu-
lating me warmly upon so quick and
satisfactory q solution.
A few days later was told by my
attorney that during the period the pa
pers were missing the estate had suf-
fered greatly. John Carter Greatrix died
before coming Of age, and the property
had passed to three persons who were
next of kin. zone Of these persons" he
said, desires to thank you for your re-
turn Of the papers that have enabled us
to divide the property, and will meet
you here tomorrow for that purpose" l
promised to be there.
The next morning on my arrival at
the office 1 was shown into private
room, where 1 found the attorney at
his desk.
II understand" he said, chat you
are about to be married to a client of
NINE"
"Of yoursr' 1 exclaimed, surprised.
eyes. Miss Thurlow is a client of
mine.'
But how did she come to tell you of
her engagementT'
''In professional way"
grew more surprised every moment
"And now," he said, 81 will Introduce
you to the person who wishes to thank
you for ending the tie-up Of the Greatrix
estate. Come in here. He flung open
door leading into another room. A lady
stood with her back to us, and when
she turned there was-Eleanor Thur
low.
1 stood stupefied
Miss Thurlow," said the lawyer, 'in.
herits one-third of the Greatrix estate
and will now, through your finding the
papers, come into a property worth
$150,000. She desires to thank you"
He retired, closing the door behind
him.
Can I ever forget the happy smile
with which she came forward, drop
ping her outstretched arms about my
neck? The explanations had all been
made. We had nothing to do but enjoy
In nn oh ntlno1.,r, 4hr Auc,