Year: 1861

About thirty years ago was young law.
yer with nothing but my profession and two
very strong aspirations. The first was to sue
ceed and make great name at the bar, and
the other to be able to marry the lady of my
love. One monrnig L went down to my office
which my boy had just opened, and found "a
waiting me there a letter which gave me the
greatest pleasure: 1t announced in the first
place the death of my grand uncle, who, with
my grandfather, had cruelty turned my moth
er out of doors when she was girl ; and in
the second place it informed me that my grand
uncle touched by remorse, had left me lega-
cy of five thousand dollars. The writer of the
letter, Martin Drew, who was my uncle, re-
quested me to come to Tyndale, at once and
get my money, and expressed much affection
for me, and said his family were all anxious to
see me, and many other things which excited
my suspicious. That afternoon l called at
widow Curtis to inform her daughter Laura
ofmy good fortune, and ask the dear girl to
"name the day" Laura was quite ready to
comply with my wishes but her mother said
We had better wait until got back with my
money, predicting that something would be
sure 10 happen, and asserting that the Drews
were ''mighty slippery fellows and that no
Van Buren,, (my name,) that she had ever
heard OF, ever had any luck. Not finding my
self very comfortable in the widows paror,
soon withdrew, and went back to my office.





with light heart pursued the road that led to
Tyndale. was two days upon the way, and
sleptthe second night at little country tav-
few miles distant from the residence of
my pseudo uncle. l had intended to reach his
house that evening, but the beaviness of the
road prevented. The next morning was ear
ly astr, and rode up TO Martin Drew's door
Just as he and family were eating breakfast.
| Was welcomed with great show of cordiali-
~, by the various members of the family, all
Of whom, save the eldest son, George, were
present. l might have believed myself among
warm friends had not the memory of my moth
ers sufierings in that house saved me from an
entire reliance upon the professions of these
demOnstrative relatives. Little by little, my
reserve melted before their kindly words and
manners. The girls were pretty and fascina-
ting, the young man, Martin, frank and agree
able. l never could resist genial manners,
and before the morning hours had waned |
found myself on decidedly pleasant terms with
the young people, and cOnlessing to myself
that could see nothing very Objectionable
in their elders.


had intended to transact my business with
all speed, and If possible to avoid breaking
bread beneath this roof; and by all means to
leave before nghtfal. But, on one pretext
or other, and willingly, must confess, was
detained until long past midday. At last
however, The business had been transacted,
the money in my hands, ard my receipt in
hose OF Martin Drew, and began to insist on
going, at least as far that evening as the tav-
ern where L had passed the proceeding night.
How they gathered around me then, with smi-
ling, entreating faces, and clinging hands
NO, they said, l must not go until George
came home. He was expected every hour.
must remain until morning and see George,
or be would be sadly disappointed. And be-
sides, it was hardly safe to stop at that road
side tavern with such sum of money, the
people there were prying and curious, and
had, without doubt learned before this, that l
mad come to receive my legacy. or course
stayed, and a pleasant evening l had with
those merry young people, and cordial old
ones.


The chamber assigned me was what in coun-
t'y parlance was usually called the "spare bed
loom, large, pleasant room upon the ground
noof, opening from the best parlor, and, with
,'aI apartment, separated from the rest of the
MUSE, by wide entrance hall. Martin Drew
anu MS two sons, (for George had returned,)
~ eir ,heir excess Of hospitality, had entered
Win me to assure themselves that all was
comfortable for me, and above oil, as they
S;.' Sa.u' SAFE Tor my money. There we're i'll con-
a'uohed d people in the neighborhood, they
sald' and my business was we'll known. SO that
'noagh 1t was hardly possible that any one
auouid attempt to enter the house to steal my
Iuoney, it was we'll to be careful. There were
hks hooks to hang my coat and waistcoat upon,
ua' had better not leave the money in their
pu;mcSets, perhaps it would be safer under my
pi'ow, or had not better lock it in a draw
u @ o. The bureau7
ms over am xety seemed somewhat annoy
ns out If there were suspicious people in the
noorhood, it was but natural. Still it oc-
n....d ,ed to me that it would be as well to say
s,vsning OF the place where intended to be-
1''" my money. When I was at last left a.