Mower County transcript., 1905-08-30

all Sd1 ILL we II S4I. AOu du 1elly
can tend the lights for a couple O.
nights, can't ye? won't be gone
more'n that. Bascom's to take me up
to the head, an if the boats runnin'
I'll be all right"
This plan had cost Uncle Terry a
he have to invent a reasonable excuse
for going by exciting the fears of both
Bascom and 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 were we'll 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 ex-
cite a small tempest of curious gossip
taxed his Yankee wit
At Bath he had a few hours wait
and went to the bank and drew a 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 a 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 it, like a cat in 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
he entered the rather untidy Office of
that legal light Uncle Terry looked sus-
piciOusly at its occupant.
'Well, sir, what can l do for your
asked Frye after his visitor had intro
duced himself.
'Waal," answered Uncle Terry, tax
ing a seat and laying his hat on the
floor beside him, 1--WE come on rather
curis errand." 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.
II 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-
vided they are facts. Now, sir, what is
your story"
Uncle Terry looked at the lawyer a
moment before answering.
"T didn't Cooo horo fo toll 1>rouy
the fust go off, he said. II know all
bout this shipwreck an a good deal
more thatn consarn ye, but fust
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 am not at liberty to disclose
until I 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"
II reckon ye don't quite ketch, on to
my drift" replied Uncle Terry. 81
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 a suave
voice, 1--WE, too. are looking to see the
ends of justice served, but you must
understand that in a matter of this i'm
portance we must make no mistakes.
An estate awaits a claimant, but that
claimant must establish his or her
identity beyond the shadow of a 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 we'll tell ye fust as last. l cum
here for that purpose, an all want to
fix is, if thar's nothin' in it yed keep
it secret an not raise any false hopes
in the minds O. them as is near and
dear to me-"
Its a lawyers professional duty
never to disclose any business conf.
dence that client may confide tc
him." answered Frye, with dignity,
land in this matter l infer you wish
to become my client. Am I right, Mr..
Terry?"
Il didn't cum here exactly n":7osj,
TO hire ye,' answered Uncle Terry. Il
cum to find what's in the wind, an If
twas likely to mount to anything to
tell all 1 knew an see that them as
had rights got justice. As l told We in
the fust ont, I'm keeper O. the light at
the end O. Southport island, an have
been for thirty year.
Zone night in March, just nineteen
year ago comm this spring, thar was
small bark got a-foul o. White Hoss
ledge right offn the pint and stayed
thar hard an fast. l seen her soo:s
as twas light, but thar was nothiu
that could be done but build a fire an
stand an watch the poor critters so
down. Long toward noon l spied a
bundle workin' in, an when it struck
I made fast to it with a boat hook
an found baby inside an alive. NV
wife an took care ont and have
y