The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-01-01


CRATE, the crimson curtains were
closely drawn, and, comfortably en-
sconced in the most inviting OF easy
chairs, Judge Lindsey sat ruefully
contemplating a huge pile of I'M
opened letters that lay on the table
before him.
Letters there were of all sorts and
sizes-letters in big envelopes, bust
ness letters-from ladies, who, trust
ing in the we'll known liberality of
the judge, ventured to appeal to him
in behalf of some pet missionary So
ciety-from young ladies who had
been robbed by cruel guardians
from young men In need of money to
start themselves in business-all
mingled in one shapeless mass, loom
ing up sternly, as if to stare him out
of countenance should he attempt TO
sink back IN his luxurious chair and
enjoy the dolce far niente, spelling
the flavor Of his cigar, until with q
peevish "pshawl" he dashed it into
the CRATE, then paused a moment, as
If to summon resolution, and, plung-
ing in his hand TO the very bottom of
the pile, drew forth dainty little
billet which ne opened and forthwith
began to read. It ran as follows:
Judge Lindsey-This is strictly a
business letter and confidential But
first, as we have no mutual acquaint-
ance to perform the duty, l must in
troduce myself l am twenty years
of age, neither pretty nor clever, but
l have a heart TO appreciate honest
integrity of character, as exemplified
In yourself when you refused the
bride of Mr.. Brunette, truly fortune
In itself, rather than sully your soul
by assisting to defraud a widow OF
the inheritance willed to her by 2, be-
loved husband And am constrained
to write this to tell you how much 1
admire, and even lOve-not the pol
ished gentleman on whose escutcheon
rests no stain-but him who in an
age of unparalleled corruption, holds
fast his integrity, unmoved by the
clamor of friends or the promptings
OF interest
Il was losing faith in all mankind.
You have restored It, and ] thank
you. implore YOU to believe that
this is no impertinent jest, but that
l am writing earnestly and from my
heart
In all probability we shall never
meet on earth. Indeed, I could
scarcely wish it, for what could you
think of me- save that [ was bold and
unmaidenly? But wherever you may
be, like guardian angels shall go with
you, the prayers of,
"ALTHEA."
The event here recorded transpired
soon after the trial OF the famous
Burnette viii case, where the family
Of the deceased contested the will of
their son, the parents protesting
against allowing the whole property
to revert to the young widow, on the
ground that the deceased had died
childless, together with the fact that
the wife had brought no dover to her
husband. Mrs Brunette having been
a poor girl at the time OF her mar
riage.
Judge Lindsey had been the de-
ceased millionaire legal adviser in
the management OF his estate, and
had assisted I'm framing the will. the
! event having occurred when the son.
Henry Burnctte, was I'm sound and
vigorous health some three years
prior 90 his death And IL was the
| lawyers intimate knowledge OF his
sons affairs that led the elder MIR.
Brunette TO appeal TO him 90 take
charge OF the case, offering judge
Lindsey heavy bribe in order to i'm
duce him TO do so, and q share also
in his sons estate, should he succeed
in winning the case. But Judge Lind
sey had rejected the bribe with scorn.
and refused to act fin direct opposi-
tion to the dictates of his own heart.
And it was this act in his life to
which the writer referred FIN the OK
traordinary letter The Judge nov held
in his hand If some artist. engaged
I'm a grand allegorical painting, and
seeking for a pcrsonidcation of aston
| ishmcnt could have transferred to
canvas the expression of Judge Lind
Bey's face as he finished reading the
| dainty missive. his fortune had infaI-
| IDLY been made Was ever "a bach
elor OF slN-aud-ioriy SO addressed be-
fore and it was q lody-thc per-
fumod paper and delicate chirography
left mo- doubt of that-young ana
fair or she would not have denied it.
The heart of the dignined lawyer
beat as rapidly as that of a maiden
fin her teens while me- began TO ex-
perience curious glow fin the region
OF that organ, and "a tingling sensa-
ton In his veins as If the blood flowed
freer and faster, when his eye acct
dentaliy fell upon one Of those obtru-
sive communication addressed to
him in q masculine hand, and he
awoke from his dream.
What had be TO do with love that