Year: 1878

About thirty years ago I was a young
lawyer with nothing but my profession
anG two very strong aspirations. The
first was to succeed and make great
name at the bar; the other to be able to
marry the lady OF my love.


One morning I went down to nv office,
which my boy had just opened, and found
awaiting me there q 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 nay mother out of doors
when she was girl; and in the second
place it informed me that my grand
uncle, touched by my remorse, had left
me q legacy Of five thousand dollars. The
writer of the letter, Martin Drew, who
was my uncle, requested me to come TO
Tyndale at once and get my money, and
expressed much affection for me, Ahd said
his family were all anxious to see me,
and other things which excited my sus-
picions,


That afternoon ItCalled at the Widow
Curtiss's to inform her daughter Laura Of
my good fortune, ard to ask the dear
girl TO "name the day" Laura was. quite
ready to comply wish my wishes; but her
mother said we'd better wait until got
pack with my money-predictlng that
something would be sure to happen"
and asserting that the Drews were
mighty slippery fellows" and THAT mo
Van Buren. my name that she had ever
heard of, eTe- had amy luck Nottinding
myself comfortable fin the widows
parlor l soon withdrew, and went slowly
back TO my office.


Next moallng mounted my horse, and
with light heart pursued the road chat
led to Tyndale. I was two days upon
the way and slept the second niglt at a
country tavern, a few miles distant from
the residence Of my pseeado uncle. had
intended to reach his house that evening,
but the neaviness OF the reads prevented.
The next morning was early astir, and
rode up to Martin Dire 's,door, Just az he,
with his family, was seating himself at
the breakfast table.


| was welcomed with great show of
cordiality by the varioUs members of the
family, ell Of whom, save the eldest son,
George, were present might have be
lievod myself among warm friends had
not the memory of my mOtliars suffer
ngs in that house saved me from an eE~
tire reliance upon the professials Of these
demonstrative relatives. Little by little.
Ry reserve was melted before their kind.
ly words and n&nners. The girls were
pretty and fascinating, the yogng man,
Martin, frank and agreeable. | never
could resist genial manners, anc before
the morning hours had waned | found
myself Oh decidedly pleasant terms with
the young people, and contessi1g to mv-
self that / eould.sea nothing objection
.Gble in their elders


| had intended to transact my business
with all speed, and if possible tosavoid
breaking bread beneath the roCf; and by
al means to Leave 1t before nigilttall.
But on one pretext after another, and
willingly, must confess, / was detained
until long past midday at last, howev-
er, 'tLe business had been transacted, &be
money in my hands, and my receipt in
those of Martin Drew, and | begsn to in
sist OF going, at Least as far that evening"
as the tavern where / had passed tae PIKE
ceding night.


How they gathered rouad me thea with
smiling, entreating faces, and cliaging
hands. No, they said, one and all, IEnust
not go'untlt George came home. He was
expected every hour, must remain uIa-.
4 I'll morning and see George; he would be
sadly disappointed else. And besides it
was hardly safe TO stop at that roadside
tavern with such sum OF money, tie
people there were prying and curious,
and had without doubt learned before
this that had come to receive my legacy


OF course l stayed, and pleasant eve
ming l had with those merry young peo-
pie and cordial old ones.


The chamber assigned me was what in,
country parlance, is usually called the
''spare bedroom" o large, pleasant room
upon the ground floor, opening from the
best parlor, and, with that apartment,
separated from the rest of the house by a
wide entrance hall. Martin Drew and
his two sons (for George had returnod), in
their excess of hospitality had entered
with me to assure themselves that all was
comfortable for me, and above all, asGhey
said, safe for my money.


There were iil-conditioned people in
the neighporhood, they said, and nv bus.
mess was well-known, SO tha. though it
was haloiJ posolole tisat ttlE one neSuOulu at
tempt to enter the house to steal my mon
ey, it was well to be careful. "There was
hooks to hang my coat and waistcoat up,
on, but l had not better leave the money
in their pockets, perhaps it would be SAT
er under my pillow, or had not better
lock it in drawer Of the bureau?n


This over anxiety seemed somewhat
annoying, but if there were suspicious
people in the neighborhood, it was but
natural. Still it occurred to me that it
would be as we'll to say nothing of thief
place where entended to bestow nv
money. When l was at last left alone, I
began to hasten my preparation for re-
pose. The two windows Of the room
we're closed and secured by heavy shut
ters, but there was no lock on the door.
placed chair against it. ! then fin.