RT OF LUZERNE
COUNTY:--

"The petition of Ralph Burnham, by his next friend Simon Craft,
respectfully represents that the petitioner is a minor child of
Robert Burnham, late of the city of Scranton in said county,
deceased, under the age of fourteen years; that he is resident
within the said county and has no guardian to take care of his
estate. He therefore prays the court to appoint a guardian for
that purpose.

"RALPH BURNHAM.
By his next friend, SIMON CRAFT.
Dated, Sept. 26, 1867."

"Your Honor will notice that the petition is duly sworn to," said
Sharpman, handing the paper to the clerk, who, in turn, handed it to
the judge. There was a minute of silence. The lawyers were all staring
at Sharpman in astonishment.

Then, the judge spoke.

"Mr. Sharpman, I was not aware that Robert Burnham left more than one
child living; a girl, for whom we have already made appointment of a
guardian."

"I was not aware of that fact either," rejoined Sharpman, "until very
recently; but it is a fact, nevertheless; and we are here now, asking
that a way be prepared by which this heir may come into his rightful
portion of his father's estate."

"This is a peculiar case," responded the judge; "and I think we should
have some other basis than this on which to act; some affidavit of
facts."

"I came prepared to meet that objection," said Sharpman. "I will now
read, if the court please, a statement of the facts in the case." He
unfolded another paper and read a long and detailed account of the
wreck, of Ralph's rescue by Simon Craft, of the old man's care and
keeping of the boy, of the finding of Ralph's parents, the lad's
desertion, the recent discovery of his whereabouts, of Craft's toil
and sacrifice in the matter, and of Ralph's desire to be restored to
his family. This was signed and sworn to by Simon Craft.

The judge sat for a moment in silence, as if studying the effect of
this affidavit.

"Has the mother been notified," he said finally, "that this child
is living, and, if so, why does not she appear here to make this
application?"

"I will answer that question, your Honor, by reading the following
affidavit," replied Sharpman.

"LUZERNE COUNTY, SS.:

"John H. Sharpman, attorney at law of said county, being duly
sworn according to law, deposes, and says: that, on the fifteenth
day of September, A.D. 1867, he called upon Mrs. Mar