Page 311 (1/2)
The man directed him; the place was near at hand In two minutes Mr
Fishwick found hirocer's shop,
over the portal of which a gilded bee seenosticate more
business than the fact perfor, was behind the counter Eyeing the attorney as he
came forward, she asked him what she could do for him, and before he
could answer reached for the snuff canister
He took the hint, requested an ounce of the best Scotch and Havannah
she had lived there
'Twenty-six years, sir,' she answered heartily, 'Old Style For the New,
I don't hold with it nor thehther nose 'I have
buried a good husband and two children since they gave it us!' 'Still, I suppose people died Old Style?' the lawyer ventured
'Well, well, one this Septehtly' The woman pushed away the snuff and stared at him 'Two, for the matter
of that,' she said sharply 'But should I remember you?' 'No' 'Then, if I may make so bold, what is't to you?' she retorted 'Do you
come from Jim Masterson?' 'He is dead,' Mr Fishwick answered
She threw up her hands 'Lord! And he a young man, so to speak! Poor
Jim! Poor Jim! It is ten years and more--ay, more--since I heard from
him And the child? Is that dead too?' 'No, the child is alive,' the lawyer answered, speaking at a venture, 'I
am here on her behalf, to make some inquiries about her kinsfolk' The worew motherly 'You may
inquire,' she said, 'you'll learn no more than I can tell you There is
no one left that's kin to her The father was a poor Frenchht the quality about here; the mother was one of his
people--she came from Canterbury, where I a to her account she had no kin left He died the
year after the child was born, and she ca, as he had; but 'twas a poor livelihood, you oes out' 'When?' Mr Fishwick asked, his eyes glued to the wo the child fron
parts--that was buried with her 'Twas said his child took the fever