The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-04-12
CHAPTER ".

sN you are both fortunate and un-
fortunate, Mr.. Brewster"
said Mr. Grant, after the
L young man had dropped into
a chair in the Office of Grant & Ripley
the next day. Montgomery wore a
slightly bored expression, and it was
evident that he took little interest in
the will Of James T. Sedgwick. From
far back in the receSses of memory he
now recalled this long lost brother of
his mother. AS very small child he
had seen his Uncle James upon the few
occasions which brought him to the
home Of Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Brewster.
But the young man had dined with the
Drews the night before and Barbara
had had more Charm for him than usu-
al. It was Of h.'r that he was thinking
when he walked into the Office of
Swearengen Jones' lawyers.
''The truth is, Mr.. Grant, I'd COM
pletely forgotten the existence Of an
uncle" he responded.
1T is not surprising" said Mr.. Grant
genially. every one who knew him in
New York nineteen years ago believed
him to be dead. He left the city when
you were a very small lad, going to
Australia, think. He was off to seek
his fortune, and he needed it pretty
badly when he started out. This let
ter from Mr.. Jones comes like a mes
sage from the dead. Were it not that
we have known Mr. Jones for long
time, handling affairs Of considerable
Importance for him, I should feel in
clined to doubt the whole story. 1t
seems that your uncle turned up in
Montana about fifteen years ago and
there formed a stanch friendship with
old Swearengen Jones, one Of the rich
est men in the far west. Sedgwick's
will was signed on the day of his death,
Sept. "a, and it was quite natural that
Mr.. Jones should be named as his exec
utor. That is how we became interest
ed in the matter, Mr.. Brewster"
II see," said Montgomery, somewhat
puzzled. But why do you say that I
am both fortunate and unfortunate"
"The situation is so remarkable that
you'll consider that mild way Of put
ting it when you've heard everything.
I think you were told in our note Of
yesterday that you are the sole heir.
Well, it may surprise you to learn that
James Sedgwick died possessed of al
estate valued at almost $7,00O,000."
Montgomery Brewster sat like one
petrifed, staring blankly at the old
lawyer, who could say startling things
In a level voice.
"He owned gold mines and ranches
in the northwest, and there is no ques-
ton as to their value. Mr.. Jones in
his letter to us briefly outlines the his
tory Of James Sedgwick from the time
he landed in Montana. He reached
there in 1885 from Australia, and he
was worth $4,000 or $4,000 at the
time. Within five years he was the
owner of huge ranch, and scarcely
had another five years passed before
he was part owner of three rich gold
mines. Possessions accumulated rap
idly; everything he touched turned to
gold. He was shrewd, careful and
thrifty, and his money was handled
with all the skill Of Wall street finan-
cier. At the time Of his death in Port
land he did not owe a dollar In the
world. His property is absolutely IN
incumbered-safe and sound as a gov
eminent bond. It's rather overwhelm-
taking note Of Brewster's expression.
"And he-he left everything to me?"
with a proviso."
"Ah!'
Il have copy of the will. Mr.. Rip
ley and are the only persons in New
York who at present know it's contents.
You, am sure, after hearing it, will
not divulge them without the most
careful elaboration"
Mr.. Grant drew the document from
pigeonhole in his desk, adjusted his
glasses and prepared to read. Then,
he laid the paper down and turned
once more to Brewster.
1T seems that Sedgwick never mar
ried. Your mother was his sister and
his only known relative Of close con-
nect1On. He was man Of most Pc
culiar temperament, but in full posses
sion Of his mental faculties. You may
find this will to be strange document,
but 1 think Mr.. Jones, the executor,
explains any mystery that may be sug-
gested by it's terms. While Sedgwick's
whereabouts were unknown to his old
friends in New York, it seems that he
was fully posted on all that was going
on here. He knew that you were the
only child Of your mother and therefore
his only nephew. He sets forth the
dates of your mothers marriage, Of
your birth, of the death of Robert
Brewster and Of Mrs. Brewster. He
also was aware Of the fact that old
Edwin Peter Brewster intended to be-
queath large fortune to you, and
thereby hangs tale. Sedgwick was
proud. When he lived in New York he
was regarded as the kind of man who
never forgave the person who touched
roughly upon his pride. You know, of