John Tremlett
John Tremlett was a dark-complexioned young man, rather above
the middle height. He was by no means handsome; but plain faces
are often attractive, and this young man's was not. His eyes were
bloodshot, and even Ben's inexperienced glance could detect the
marks of dissipation. He was expensively dressed and looked like
one who made a business of spending money.
"How are you, Brief?" he said carelessly, throwing himself into a chair.
"In better condition than you are, I judge from your looks, Mr.
Tremlett," responded the lawyer.
"I hope so. I feel awfully seedy," said Tremlett.
"Your own fault. You shouldn't keep such late hours."
"Oh, bother that, Brief! I must have a good time."
"You don't look as if you were enjoying your mode of life."
"Oh, I shall be all right when I get over my headache. Is this a client
of yours?" glancing at Ben.
"He's a relation of yours, according to his own account," said Mr. Brief.
"Is he?" inquired Tremlett languidly. "Can't say I ever saw him before."
"Mr. Baldwin was my great-uncle," said Ben. "That is, he was an
uncle of my aunt, Mrs. Jane Bradford."
"Indeed! Were you expecting a share of the property?" asked
Tremlett suspiciously.
"I thought Mr. Baldwin might remember his niece."
"He hasn't, though."
"So I find by the will."
"Sorry for you; but, of course, Mr. Baldwin had a right to dispose of
his property as he saw fit."
"I don't deny his right."
"Then you are not intending to dispute the will," said Tremlett, relieved.
"I never dreamed of doing it. I came about a house which my aunt
has been occupying rent-free."
"What is it, Brief? Do I know about it?"
"It's a small house in Milltown, Massachusetts, which belongs to
your uncle's estate. I found that Mrs. Bradford has paid no rent for
it during the last five years, and accordingly sent her an invitation to
pay up arrears."
"Has she done it?"
"No, sir," said Ben. "Mr. Baldwin permitted her to occupy the house
rent-free."
"That is your assertion," said the lawyer.
"It is true," returned Ben quickly.
"Show it to me in writing, and that will end all dispute."
"I hope yet to do it, but thus far we have been unable to find Uncle
Matthew's letter."
"That's all fair," said Tremlett. If the letter can't be found, the money
must be paid.
"My aunt is utterly unable to pay it. She is poor."
"That is no excuse in law, my young friend," said Mr. Brief. "She
must borrow the money then."
"Where?" asked Ben.
"That is not our lookout. As you are in business, perhaps you will
advance the necessary sum."
"If I were able, and were satisfied of the justice of the claim, I would
do so," answered Ben. "But I don't believe that Uncle Matthew
intended that my aunt should be distressed by such a demand. Why
should he have let the rent run on for five years if he expected her to
pay it?"
"Can't say, I'm sure."
"How much is due?" asked Tremlett.
"Three hundred dollars," said Brief.
"Look here, young fellow," said Tremett, "Perhaps you and I can
settle it. If you will pay me two hundred dollars cash down I will
give you a receipt for the whole."
"Mr. Tremlett," said Mr. Brief stiffly, "you appear to forget that I am
settling this estate. You have no authority to make such an offer."
"Wasn't the property left to me, I should like to know?" demanded
Tremlett, blustering.
"Yes."
"Then why am I not authorized to make the offer, tell me that?"
"According to Mr. Baldwin's will you can only receive the income for
the first twelve months."
"That's deuced hard on a fellow," said Tremlett.
"On the other hand, I think it is a prudent precaution."
"The old man was a tight-fisted old curmudgeon. He only wanted to
annoy me."
The lawyer shrugged his shoulders, and Ben broke out indignantly,
"I wouldn't speak in that way of a man who had left me all his
fortune."
"Mind your own business, boy," retorted John Tremlett sharply. "Do
you think I am going to stand your impudence?"
"I think it is just as well you have waited till after Uncle Matthew's
death before speaking of him in that way."
"Don't let up on the boy! Make him pay every cent of the debt,
Brief!" exclaimed John Tremlett angrily.
"Of course we shall follow up the matter, Mr. Tremlett."
"Have him arrested if he doesn't pay, Brief."
Ben smiled.
"You seem to forget, Mr. Tremlett, that I am not your debtor. The
claim is against my aunt."
"Is that so, Brief?"
"The boy is right."
"I am sorry for it. I should like to hold him responsible."
"No doubt, Mr. Tremlett," said Ben; "but we can't always have our
wishes granted."
"Leave the matter in my hands," said the lawyer. "I will do what is
best."
"By the way, Brief," said John Tremlett, "I mustn't forget my errand.
I want some money."
"Some money? I gave you two hundred dollars last week."
"Well, it's gone, and I want some more."
"Mr. Tremlett," said the lawyer gravely, "are you aware how much
money you have spent during the last four weeks?"
"No, I have kept no account."
"Well I have. You have drawn eight hundred dollars."
"It costs something to see life."
"Perhaps so! but I cannot permit you to exceed your
income--during the first year, at least. Thus far you have spent
twice as much as you were entitled to draw."
Ben listened attentively. He had no idea of the extent of his uncle's
property. If it yielded four hundred dollars a month, as he inferred,
it must amount to nearly, if not quite, a hundred thousand dollars.
And this young man was not content with that. Our hero could not
help wondering at his unreasonableness.
"I don't see how I can economize," muttered Tremlett.
"What was your income before Mr. Baldwin's death, Mr. Tremlett?"
inquired Mr. Brief.
"I starved on eight hundred dollars a year."
"Then it seems to me you aught to live comfortably now on five
thousand."
"My circumstances are changed."
"At this rate you'll run through the property in ten years."
"Oh, I'll pull up after awhile," said the heir carelessly. "So just give
me a couple of hundreds, old fellow!"
"I will hand you a hundred," said Mr. Brief reluctantly. "Hereafter
you must keep within your allowance."
"You're getting to be as miserly as the old man," said Tremlett.
"What's your name, boy?"
"My name is Benjamin Bradford."
"I suppose we are cousins, or something of that sort. Come out and
take a drink."
"No, thank you. I never drink."
"You don't? What a prig you must be! Good-bye, Brief."
The heir left the office, and Mr. Brief turned to Ben.
"What do you think of your uncle's heir?" he inquired.
"I think he is going to ruin rapidly," answered Ben.
"You are right. The grub has become a butterfly, and the sober clerk
has developed into a gay spendthrift. He was your uncle's clerk and
distant relative. It would make the old man turn in his coffin if he
knew how quickly his money is likely to melt away."
"Can't you check him?" asked Ben.
"For twelve months I can. After that I am powerless. I wish he were
more like you."
"Thank you," said Ben, surprised at the compliment.
"My bark is worse that my bite," said the lawyer. "About this claim
against your aunt I will do what I can for you, but try to find the letter
you refer to. The sum is a small one."
"It is large to us."
"Just so; but my client would squander it in a week. Let me hear
from you after you have returned and instituted a further search."
"Thank you, sir, I will write."
Ben left the office, judging Mr. Brief more favorably than at first.
With John Tremlett, he was disgusted.