Year: 1877

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he might be able to tide over his difficult
ties. He would go to London at once
and try to get the bills held over. And
If cotton would only spring littlel


Already Uncle Henry was over the
worst of his misfortune and going about
his business alert and composed. But
for me, how could 1 bear the thought of
the probable ruin--disgrace, event.
should have brought upon my friend
and benefactor kept up till / had
seen him off by the London train. Then
I hurried off to Kate to tell of the ire
trievable misfortune and get little COM
fort, where only comfort was possible,
from woman's sympathy.


Kate, when / first told her my news.
was overcome with grief and dismay.
But she soon recovered presence of mind
and tried to re-establish mine. 1t was
possible to do something in the matter.
If we could take no measures to find out
the thieves, we might try secret nego-
tiations. Those who had stolen the
notes would likely be afraid to cash them
at once; perhaps they would be open to
an offer, and appreciate the advantages
of good round sum and safety there
with. Without loss of time, inserted
an advertisement in all the local papers
and London dailies, offering reward of
$1,000 for the recovery of the missing
notes. But no result followed; whoever
was in possession of the treasure made
no sign.


Next day came back Uncle Henry
from London, having succeeded in re-
newing his bills for another fourteen
days. 1t was now the middle of June
on the third of July the delay would ex-
pire. There could be no further credit
given, for things were getting worse and
worse in town, Gillies & Co.'s failure
had caused universal mistrust and want
of confidence. But if cotton only sprang
an eighth per pound all would be we'll


Cotton did not spring, however, but
fell a trifle instead. Failures were rife at
Middleton as well as in London. The
strongest firms were talked about, and
Uncle Henry did not escape. Still, he
carried on matters bravely; but when
the fourteen days had passed, if there
should happen no favorable changes in
the markets, things would be bad with
him. now bitterly regretted that the
loss of the notes had not been made
public. 1t would be a pretty story for
my uncle's creditors, if he had to call
them together-all the more improbable
too, as this would be the first that had
been heard of it. But it was too late
now to say anything about it, would
only precipiate matters, indeed and, de-
stroy Uncle Henry's last chance.


Day after day passed away, bringing
no improvement in the state of affairs.
1t was now the last day of the month;
on the third of next month, if no help
came, uncle would have to stop pay
ment. was sitting at my desk, the
pen idle in my hand, brooding over COM
ing misfortunes, when heard letter
drop into my box and the quick rap of
the postman. It was only dead letter
after all-some letter had misdirected,
no doubt; another piece of carelessness
or stupidity to go to my account,
swelling by ever SO little the great bal
ance against me. Ten thousand pounds!
why, whole life's slavery would not be
an equivalent. flung the dead letter
from me in disgust, and returned to my
dismal reverie. There it lay, looking at
me reproachfully, and 1 took it up at
last to be rid of it. But, on tearing open
the post office envelope, 1 found that the
letter within was not in my handwrit-
ing, but apparently in that of some Hit
crate person, and that the address was
that of a person knew nothing about.
1t was an unopened letter, addressed to
Capt. Sam White, Nowland's Row,
Middleton" Why had they sent it back
to me, who certainly had not written it
The secret was that the envelope was
one of mine-its seal embossed with my
name and address-and thus it had been
sent to me at once, falling its delivery to
the address. 1t was very cool of some
body to make use of my envelope. Still,
as the letter had nothing to do with me,
1 had no right to open it, and was
about to enclose it to the postmaster
| general, asking him to have the letter
opened and returned to the original send
er, when Kate came in as usual, to see If
L had heard anything. ''No news again
to-day, james ?" she asked stoutly. ''No