The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1919-05-29
The Test
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE

II consider it a duty to protect
Uncle Jack Dalton from further
squandering his fortune" pronounced
pharisaical Harold Blair, his lawyer
and nephew.
'You mean, have a conservator ap'
pointed?" insinuated self-seeking John
Dwyer likewise a relative Of the per.
son designated.
"What do you propose to do, Blair?"
Arrange to visit the old spendthrift
en- masse, a special committee to re-
monstrate against his dissipating his
substance recklessly. Perhaps the
dread of law can inspire profession
oily will scare him and save our
ah om-respective inheritances."
Just so. Fine idea. Let's try it."
And that evening Lawyer Blair visited
his uncle, and stating that he repre-
scented the quartette, delicately insinu.
atng the merits of the occasion.
'"Think I've lost my mind, ! sup
pose?" observed Dalton grimly.
"Well, that's the construction most
folks put on the case," replied Blair.
"So?' muttered Mr.. Dalton, and he
was in dangerous mood, if his Wis.
itors had only known it. "Time-serving
crew that you are, will give consid'
GRAFTON to your intruding upon my own
personal affairs. The entire crowd of
expectant heirs and heiresses seems to
lack quorum. Where is my half broth
er's daughter, Eleanor, and her hus'
band, Joseph Howard?"
ooh, we don't consider them near
of kim" remarked Blair. 1--WE did ask
them to join us. but they refused to
comply"
"You don't say y" Dalton mimicked
the speakers squeaky ones. swell.
you all four Of you come here next
Saturday night at eight o'clock, and
I'll tell you what l have decided to
do. Now then, beat it, and leave an
improvident old man alone with his
misery"
Saturday night the quartette
appeared at the lonely home of the
cratic old bachelor. A great fire
blazed in the crate, chairs were ranged
against the wall. Between them and
the fireplace was a table with two
parcels upon it.
"NIy dear solicitous friends and rela-
tives," began Dalton with a certain
sardonic expression Of face, II have
decided to make a full and complete
confession Of my misdeeds. This, y
and he opened one package, "contains
over one hundred thousand dollars in
mining stocks, oil stocks, automobile
stock not worth the paper they are
printed on. Well get that out of the
way" and he flung the heap upon the
blazing fire where it was quickly con.
sumed.
zone hundred thousand dollars y
groaned Blair.
'"rhis package" resumed Dalton.
and he took up the other parcel and
opened it, contains but-see for your
selves. Money-scads Of it coolies of
it! Look-view, gloat!"
"Inasmuch as life is growing bur-
densome to me because an avaricious
brood is after what I have left and
threaten to take away my freedom, l
become pauper! Whoop-whz-
there she gOes-ashes!"
Twenty thousand dollars!" gloated
Dalton. "See it sizzle in the crate !!
Now, that have disposed of my for
tune I am a pauper. I've given and
loaned to the last one of you consid-
cradle amounts in the past. OF course
you will be glad to have me live out
my few remaining days, move about
| among yOu-"> But, maddened, dis"
gusted, discounted crowd, the pre-
cious relatives made their presence
scarce.
Jack Dalton moved into a wretched
room in a poor tenement house next
day. His cratic conduct was the cur
rent sensation Of the hour, but nc.
body thought of a conservator now. II
was common gossip that he had Wis
tied each member of the quartette in
turn, asking shelter and help. Four
decidedly cold shoulders was all the
satisfaction he got.
He was pOttering over the cooking
| of a sparse meal one evening when he
had visitors, Howard and his wife
Howard held the Old mans hand sym
pathetically and Eleanor kissed him
and began to cry.
"You poor old mani" she sobbed.
''You, who started US in housekeeping
to come to this! But that will soon
end. Uncle Jack, you are to come to
our house at once"
"And live there q welcome guest for
the rest of your life," supplemented
Howard.
John Dalton went as invited. Often
during the first month of his sojourn
amid comfort and affectionate atten.
ton he would chuckle slyly to himself.
Then one day he was down town for
several hours and acted unusually
brisk and happy as he Joined Eleanor
and Howard. e..
Children" he said, Il have just