Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-05-27
The est
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE
Copyright. 1919. BY Western Newspaper Union.
By VICTOR RADCLIFFE

Copyright, 1919. BY Western Newspaper Union-)
II consider 1t 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-
pointedY' insinuated self-seeking John
Dwyer likewise q 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 l can inspire professions
ally will scare him and save our
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-
ating the merits of the occasion.
think I've lost my mind. / sup
pose% observed Dalton grimly.
swell, that's the construction most
folks put on the case" replied Blair.
"So?" muttered Mr.. Dalton. and he
was in a dangerous mood, If his Wis
itors had only known it. 'Time-serying
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 nus
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 so !" DaltoRmimicked
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 / 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
erratic old bachelor. A great fire
blazed in the CRATE, chairs were ranged
against the wall. Between them and
the fireplace was table with two
parcels upon it.
my dear solicitous friends and rela-
tiyes," began Dalton with certain
sardonic expression Of face, 81 have
decided to make full and complete
confession of my misdeeds. This"
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. Wen 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 I"
groaned Blair.
''This 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'll Look-view, gloat!"
'Tnasmuch 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,
become a pauperl Whoop-whiz-
there she goes-ashes!"
Twenty thousand dOllars!" gloated
Dalton. See 1t sizzle In the gratel
Now, that I have disposed of my for
tune l am 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 q wretched
room in a poor tenement house next
day. His erratic conduct was the cur
rent sensation Of the hour, but no
body thought of q conservator now. 1t
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 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.
Children" he said, II have Just
been to my lawyer putting my affairs
in shape. have placed all my liquid
funds in bank subject to your dis
posal. My real estate goes to you
jointly by my WILL"
"Will-liquid funds-estate-" re.
peated Eleanor vaguely.
Exactly. The banknotes / burned
up were some counterfeits / paid
dearly. for In a deal with some