The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-07-02
Fate and Cousin Phineas
By Leonard A. Hartman.

~ was a man of considerable fortune.
But, as the Sunday school papers Of
ten tell us, money alone does not make
happiness. Although Uncls Tobias was
rated by Messieurs Bradstreet and Dun
as being A No. l, financially speaking,
he was sour, cantankerous, and discon-
tented. He never married. Instantly,
married readers will, presume, rise to
declare that he should have taken unto
himself wife.
During his later years, old Tobias
came to be of this opinion himself.
Every man." he declared to Julian,
fought to marry"
He had this declaration in mind when
he made his will, about year before he
died. His nephew was to inherit the es-
tate in case he married within one year
OF his uncle's death. In the event of the
marriage not taking place, a distant
cousin, Phineas Parker, would receive
the legacy In due time and according
to the course of human events, Uncle
Tobias died, leaving his money and his
will behind.
When Julian learned of the marriage
clause in the will, he was surprised, but
not downcast, for he already contem,
plated marrying; he was sure Miss May
lvins-that was the young lady's name
would not object to the taking place
Of the ceremony within the year. May
most emphatically did not. Julian seem
ed about to gain wife and fortune.
Cousin Phinaes, the next in succession,
was elated. He had not expected sou
and now was, possibly, in fair way to
gain the whole estate. Cousin Phineas,
being by way of profession money
lender, was neither very poor nor very
honest. He resolved to trust in Fate
and to wait watchfully.
In truth, Fate did seem to smile upon
him. Three times the wedding day was
set and as many times was it postponed.
In June, the bride s mother became sud
denly i'll; in September, an unexpected
rain washed out the railway and kept
several important guests away. The
wedding was put off until Thanksgiving.
Two days before the chosen date, the
colored maid developed case of scarlet
fever and the entire family, including
the bride, was quarantined. Naturally,
the wedding festivities were interrupted.
The quarantine was removed on Friday,
the 22nd Of December. The year of
grace ended at midnight of the oath.
Unless Julian were married by that hour,
he would forfeit the fortune to the heir
presumptive, Mr. Phineas Parker.
Accordingly, Sunday noon was decided
on as the day and the hour. Julian
would have preferred to have larger
margin of time but, though the wedding
was to be quiet home one, Mrs. WINS
declared she must have day in which
to prepare.
"a wedding is a solemn event. Sun
day will hallow and digni1y it," she
said to Julian. He was forced to
aequiesce.
Phineas had fully acquainted himself
with all these details. Although he was
apparently about to lose fortune, he
resolved to trust in Fate
Saturday morning being dreary and
chilly, few persons entered his money
lending office. 1t was gloomy place,
with dirty windows and dusty corners.
Phineas sat before his desk. On his sal
low face was eomplacent expression.
frequently hard smile creased his
leathery cheeks. He was thinking of
the Rowland fortune. The marriage had
been postponed so many times that it
really seemed as if Fate was intervening
and
Suddenly Phineas sat up straight. He
reached for the desk telephone.
els this the Edmont apartmentsf l
would like to speak with Julian Row
land"
Julian was little surprised to receive
q call from the money-lender and still
more surprised when that worthy
smoothly asked him to call at his office
about o'clock to receive little we'd
ding gift.
At four, Julian had most important
engagement; in company with May he
was going to the courthouse for mar
riage license. However, he felt quite
benevolent and he resolved to let the