human
One night in March, just nineteen year ago comin' this spring, thar was a small bark got a-foul o' White Hoss Ledge right off'n the pint and stayed thar hard an' fast. I seen her soon as 'twas light, but thar was nothin' that could be done but build a fire an' stand an' watch the poor critters go down. Long toward noon I spied a bundle workin' in, an' when it struck I made fast to it with a boat hook an' found a baby inside an' alive. My wife an' I took care on't, and have been doing so ever since. It was a gal baby and she growed up into a young lady. 'Bout ten years ago we took out papers legally adoptin' her, an' so she's ourn. From a paper we found pinned to her clothes, we learned her name was Etelka Peterson, an' that her mother, an' we supposed her father, went down that day right in sight o' us. Thar was a locket round the child's neck, an' a couple o' rings in the box, an' we have kept 'em an' the papers an' all her baby clothes ever since. That's the hull story.
gpt
How did this child live to get ashore?
human
That's the curis part, replied Uncle Terry;
gpt
A very well-told tale, Mr. Terry, he said at last.
human
A very well-told tale indeed! Of course you have retained all the articles you say were found on the child?
gpt
Yes, we've kept 'em all, you may be sure,
human
And why did you never make any official report of this wreck and of the facts you state?
gpt
I did at the time, answered Uncle Terry,
human
And do I understand you wish to retain me as your counsel in this matter, and lay claim to this estate, Mr. Terry?
gpt
Wal, I've told ye the facts, replied Uncle Terry,
human
The matter of expense is hard to state in such a case as this, answered Frye cautiously.
gpt
The estate is a large one; there may be, and no doubt will be, other claimants; litigation may follow, and so the cost is an uncertain one. I shall be glad to act for you in this matter, and will do so if you retain me.