The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-11-14
AN AMATEURS WILL
Girl Typist's Document Brings
Happiness to Two.
BY A. G. GREENWOOD.

THE money of which | should die
in possession, amounting to $4,000,
will be found in notes in the secret
drawer of the Patsea oakchest. To
open the receptacle, press the fingers
of the right hand upon the five small
knobs in the margin of the second
panel on the righthand side; with the
thumb touch the inlaid rose in the
center of the the side panel. On
opening the chest the drawer will be
found open also"
read thus far, then vaguely won
dered if the secret drawer had been
discovered l glanced at the date Of
the will and the name, address and
description Of the testator-since 1890,
when Erasmus Whitehead, sculptor,
wrote these directions, the money had
lain hid. Where had the old eccen-
trio lived? At Mrs Pelham's, % Mar
ianetta Terrace, Chelsea.
! made up my mind to call at %
right away
Erasmus Whitehead. Dead these
twenty years" puffed an old woman
who opened 22's blistered door to me.
Lodged with me thirty years, he did,
and his good lady. too, while she drew
breath. Miss Jan does now, an a
sweeter body you'll not meet in all
Lon 'on-no, that you won't an I
don't care who says SOL"
Mrs. Pelham showed me up to a
little sitting room. Jan Whitehead
| opened the door.
Her dress was plain. but her sweet
ness was enough to keep any ass of
| thirty dixie myself tongue-tied and
staring like a raw youth from the
country
found my tongue and plunged into
explanations. Erasmus was her I'M
Gle. He was supposed to have died
intestate. He had left nothing
On I went about my discovery and
the chest
The Patsea chest" she echoed in
despair asd her mouth trembled.
"Oh, oh, it's sold"
Twas old Sydney-Jacob Sydney
who bought it, dearie." observed
Mrs Pelham. The shop disappeared
ten year ago"
'I'll try to trace it." said Jan,
And thank you ever so much for be.
ing so kind"
Tin only too glad to help you in
any way" l suffered and departed
leaving my card.
wanted to see her again.
thought out thousand plans, a bill
lion excuses
But l never saw her. Seven whole
wasted days passed Then I had a
note.
Dear Mr. Oakley" 1t ran
Il have been fortunate enough &c
trace the chest, but am unable &c
open the secret drawer. Could you
help me? | am in some haste, anC
would count myself even deeper il
your debt if you would come to my
aid l shall be in after $50 each
night, if you could spare me five min
utes. Yours sincerely.
JAN WHITEHEAD"
Spare her five minutes, Five years,
Five lives if I had 'em.
At the end of the road met her.
She was obviously pleased Con the
beastly chests account of course)
Mrs. Pelham hustled up to watct
proceedings. l examined the chest
bosses, knobs, inlaid strips and thu
rose. Then | opened the lid A foo
panel had risen; from it, to one side
obtruded a drawer. Jan bent down
Mrs Pelham lowered her head pant
ing. | stood up. a sharp pain in m!
heart
1t was empty. Whatever 1t hat
contained had been distracted
Jan Strengthened and walked to tn
window, Mrs. Pelham subsidized int,
q chair and blubbered
"Forgive-how foolish you mus
think me-" she said. trying to smil
"a pteous attempt that shook
shower of tears from Der brimmin!
eyes. Il had been silly enough Il
be too sanguine."
Silence fell-a strained silence
Then she told me of her hunt for tn
purchaser Of the chest She ha
found Jacob Sidney in a back stree
In Putney, whether he had gone Of
giving up the shop. FOrtunately-s
fortunately as she then thOught-h
had taken a fancy to the Patsea chest
The old man was Ill; she had no
been allowed to see him. and it wa
only at a vastly enhanced price tina
he consented to sell-S250 she told m
with SILVER.
I've never felt so utterly wretcheC
so entirely despairing, as I did al
that night, and the next day-till a
hour after John King had left me.
I'm worried" old King had grow
ed
IT'S a grit typist-in the Office
I've always thought her as honest a
daylight. A day or so ago she cam
to me in state of nervous excite
ment She's been with US six years
since she was eighteen-else sh
wouldn't have asked nor | been s
foolish as to give in. She asked poin
blank for loan Of $3.50. No wonde
you jump" he growled. She promis
, ed to repay within forty-eight hour:
She was certain of her ability; som
money had come to her unexpected
: ly. l let her have 1t. ! trusted he
. implicitly, | tell you. Today SD
came to me, white as a sheet, he