The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-04-11
CHAPTER Nv.
81 /oU are both fortunate and un.
fortunate. Mr.. Brewster"

"a ~
fortunate, Mr.. Brewster" I"
said Mr. Grant, after the
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 win of James T. SedgWick. From
Tar back In the recesses OF memory ne
now recalled this long lost brother Of
hfs mother. AS very small child he
had seen his Uncle James upon the few
occasions which brought him to the
home OF MIR. 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 Arr that he was thinking
when he walked into the Office Of
SWearengen Jones' lawyers.
saThe truth is. Mr.. Grant, I'd COM
pletely forgotten the existence Of an
uncIe,n he responded.
seIt 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 very small lad, going to
Australia, think. He was eff to seek
his fortune, and he needed it pretty
badly when he started out This let
ter from Mr. zones comes like mes
sage from the dead. Were it not that
we have knewn M. Jones for l2ng
time, handling affairs Of considerable
fnportance for him, I should feel in
ci.ned to doubt the whole story. It
seems that your uncle turned up in
Montana about fifteen years ago and
there formed a stanch friendship with
ofd Swearengen Jones, one Of the rich
est men in the far west. Sedgwick's
viii was signed on the day Of his death,
Sept % 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"
81 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 # 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 an
estate valued at almost S7,000G0o."
Montgomery Brewster sat like one
peHifed, staring blankly at the Old
lawyer, who could say startling things
I'm level voice.
1sHe owned gold mines and ranches
sSn the northwest and there is no ques-
ton as to their galue. Mr.. Jones in
mis- letter to us briefly outlines the his
tory of James Sedgwiek from the time
he landed in Montana. BE reached
there IN 1855 from Australia, and he
was worth $4,000 or $4,000 at the
time Within five years he was the
owner Of a huge ranch, and scarcelJ
had another Eve years passed before
he Tas part owner Of three rich gold
mines. Possessions accumulated rap
Idly; everything he touched turned to
gold. Ee was shrewd, careful and
thrifty, and his money was handled
with ali the skill Of Wall street fnan-
eier. At the time Of his death in Port
land he cid not owe a dollar in the
world. His property is absolutely IN
ineumbereo- and sound as gov
ernmeas boad. It's rather oyerwhelrn-
ing, isat it," the lawyer concluded,
taking note Of BreEster's expression
And ne-be left everything to me?'
WITH a proriso.'
- 11eAh..''
81 have copy OF the Will. Mr.. Rip
fey aod are the only persons in New
York VINO at present know it's contents.
You, I an SIRE, after hearing it, will
not divulge them without the most
careful Gelberation-'
Mr.. Grant drew the document from
"a pigeonhoie in his desk, adjusted his
glasses and prepared to read. Then,
as though struck by sudden thought,
he laid the paper down and turned
once more to Brewster.
sIts seems that Sedgwick never mar
ried. Your Elother was his sister and
his only known relative Of close con-
nection. Ee was a man Of most pc
cu,iar temperament but in full posses
sion of his mental faculties. You may
find this will to be strange document,
but I think HIr. Jones, the executor,
explains any mystery that may be sus-
gested by its terms. While SedSwick's
whereabouts were unknown to his old
friends IL New York, it seems that ne
was fully posted on all that was going
ON here. lie 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-
uueath a large fortune to you, and
thereby hangs a tale. Sedgwick was
proud. When be lived in New York he