Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-13
CHAPTER ".

Inc funeral was over. Mr.. DrummOnd,
as indeed his relationship permitted. was
one of the principal mourners. Consider
ing that he had not seen Mr.. Conrad for
five years preceding his death, nor during
that time communicated with him in any
way, he appeared to be very much over
come by grief. He kept his eyes covered
with a large white handkerchief. and his
movements indicated suppressed agitation
He felt that this was a tribute due to a
cousin who had left over one hundred
thousand dollars. When they had return
ed from the grave he managed to have a
word with Walter
Have you decided to accept my offer
and make your home beneath my humble
roof" he asked
There has been no time to consult with
my friends here, Mr.. Drummond. l will
let you know next week. l thank you at
any rate for your Kindness"
DO come, Walter" said his cousin,
twisting his mean features into an affec-
Tomato smile. with you beneath my
humble roof, shall want nothing to COM
plete my happiness"
Jacob Drummond went back to Staple
ton ignorant of the state of Mr.. Conrad's
affairs and regarding Walter as a boy of
great wealth.
When the Will was opened it was found
to bear date two years back, before Mr.
Conrad had plunged into the speculation
which had proved so disastrous to him
He bequeathed all the property which he
did possess to Walter, with the exception
Of five hundred dollars, which were left
as a legacy to his faithful housekeeper,
Nancy Forbes. At the time the will was
made. its provisions made Walter heir to
a large fortune. Now it was quite uncer-
tain how things would turn out. Clement
Shaw, the village lawyer, an honest and
upright man, was made executor, being an
old and tried friend of the deceased
With his Walter had a long and conf
Dental conversation, imparting to him
what he knew of his fathers mining spec
ulation and it's disastrous result, with its
probable effect in accelerating his death
Il knew something of this before, Wal
ter" said Mr.. Shaw. Your father spoke
to me of being largely interested in the
Great Metropolitan Mining Company:
but of the company itself and the extent
to which he was involved l knew moth
ing"
Il think my father must have been
very seriously involved" said Walter. 1T
may, perhaps, swallow up the whole prop
erty."
Let us hope not. Indeed, l can hardly
believe that your father would have ven
tured in so deep as that.
HE had every confidence in the COM
pany; he thought he was going to double
his money. If only part of his property
was threatened. | don't think it would
have had such an effect upon him
II will thoroughly examine into the af-
fair" said Mr. Shaw. MEANWHILE Wal
ter. hope for the best! 1t can hardly be
that the whole property is lost. Do not
be too anxious"
DO not fear for me on that account"
said Walter. Il always looked forward
to being rich, it is true, but for all that
can, bear poverty. If the worst comes.
and | am pennilesS. | am strong, and can
work l can get along as well as thou
sands of other boys, who have to support
themselves"
Walter did not speak boastfully by any
means, but in a calm, confident way, that
argued a consciousness of power
Yes" said the lawyer, regarding him
attentively, Il think you are right there
You are just the boy who can make his
own way; but 1 hope you will not be
obliged to do So"
II am young and strong. Nancy has
spent her best years in my fathers SER
vice, and she is no longer young 1t is
right that she should have some provision
Besides, my father meant her to have it,
and | want to carry out his wishes"
This is all very generous, Walter; but
l am afraid it is inconsiderate. 1t would
not be your fathers wish to provide even
for Nancy, however faith al she may have
been, at the expense of his SON"
at is right" said Walter Besides.
Mr. Shaw, l find that Nancy had laid up
six hundred dollars, which she had depos-
tied in my fathers hands. That also must
be paid, if there is enough to pay it; if
not, l will take it upon myself to pay
whenever l am able"
You're an excellent boy. Walter" said
Mr. Shaw Il always had a good opinion
of you, and l find it is more than deserv-
ed. l honor you for the resolution you
have expressed though l cannot quite
agree with you about the five hundred dol
lars. AS to the debt, that must be paid,
if there is money enough to pay it. But
We can leave the further discussion of this
question for the present Now let us
consider what is to become of you in the
meantime. You were al the Essex CLASH
cal Institute. l believer"
Yes, sir
You would like to so back again.
suppose"
NO. Mr.. Shaw. 1t is an expensive
school, and while it is uncertain how my
fathers affairs will come out. l should
not feel justified in going there
Perhaps you are right. OF course,
you cannot stay here, and keep house by
yourself, | would invite you to my own
house but my wife is an invalid, and
! have to consider her in the matter
Thank you. Mr.. Shaw: but l think
perhaps l had better accept the offer of
| Mr.. Drummond of Stapleton. He invites
me TO make my home at his house, and for
tic present, perhaps, that will be the best
arrangement"
Nancy was much troubled at the
thought of parting from Walter, whom
she had known from his infancy; but q
situation was Immediately offered her in
the village. and Walter promised to take
her as his housekeeper whenever he had a
home of his own, and this comforted her,
| although it was likely to be long time
until then, since our hero was at present
but fifteen.
He wrote brief letter TO Stap,eton as
/ fellows:
"Mr. Drummond
Dear Sir--I will accept the invitation
you were kind enough to extend to me, for
the present, at least, and will come 70
Stapleton about the middle of next week.
| You are the only relation of my father
that l know of. and | think it would be
his wish that l should go to you. Ii it
should be inconveLient for you to receive