he part of the old executors to
meet us in a satisfactory manner, we all assembled, by appointment, in
the office of Judge Bigelow. Mr. Dewey I was surprised to find present.
But it was plain that he was there either by the consent or request
of the Judge and Squire. The court had given a certain time for the
executors under the first will to make up their accounts, and hand over
the property in trust. That time had expired.

There was manifest embarrassment on the part of Judge Bigelow and his
associate; while Dewey looked stern and dogged. We soon got into
the centre of the business, and found it pretty earnest work. It was
admitted by the executors that the greater portion of the estate was in
the cotton mills. How to get it out was the question.

"I had always understood," said Mr. Wallingford, "that the mills were
chiefly owned in New York."

"The New York interest is large," replied Squire Floyd, in a husky
voice.

"And can be increased, no doubt, to almost any extent, in order to
enable you to withdraw the trust investments," resumed Mr. Wallingford.

"Why cannot you let it remain where it is for the present? The
investment is safe and the interest sure," said Judge Bigelow.

"There isn't safer security in the state," spoke up Mr. Dewey, with
animation.

"It isn't the kind of security we wish to hold," said Mr. Wilkinson
firmly. "We have given heavy bonds, and prefer to get the property in a
different shape."

Here followed a chilling silence, which was broken by Mr. Wallingford.

"There is one way in which this can be arranged," said he.

All eyes were turned upon him.

"If it is not convenient to transfer to new parties interests of such
magnitude, we will take, at a fair valuation, the Allen House and
grounds appertaining thereto, including the mill site."

Mr. Dewey was on his feet in a moment, and said--

"Never!" with considerable excitement of manner.

Judge Bigelow and Squire Floyd looked at each other in a bewildered
manner, and then at Mr. Dewey, who was walking the floor with many signs
of disturbance.

"This is the family property," continued Mr. Wallingford, coolly--"and
ought never to have been sold. It is but fair that it should come back."

"It can't go back," spoke up Mr. Dewey. "The present owners will not let
it pass out of their hands."

"If that is the case," said Mr. Wallingford, "we shall have to look in
another direction. It occurred to me that this might suit all part