6tlj tmc0, New Bloomfielif JjJcu The Lost Will; A Htorj or Old Tirglnln. I REMEMBER an cxld story about a will, which, I believe I have never told before. It in not long though it covers a good many years. - Oho winter evening 1 was entertaining a few friends at dinner. Somo Parisian no toriety was among' them, and my house keeper, intent on upholding the evurint of Virginia agniiwt ail France, ojutdid herself. The truuits-Kiinct) was as tleiicnte as Fouil let'a own, the l'eiigord pardon me but I am fond of good eating. What wise man since Solomon is not? Just as tho Clicquot was beginning to lire the eyes and mellow the laughs about the table, Pine, who had been playing major-domo in the servant's hall, came be hind my chair and slipped a note under my plate. "Pierse's Jake fetched it. From his young mistress." I saw Hob Johns, who was sitting a lit tle way down tho tablo, prick up his ears at this. - The clatter of voices and glasses was loud enough for Pine to continue his whisper, unheard, as I furtively glanced at the note. " Jake says the old man's bout on makin' his will, right off. Fur de Lord's sake go, Mars' John. It's de debbil of a night, though." And he slipped off to get overcoat and wrappings. I ought to go; that was certain; so, with a mournful glance at the jolly faces around the cloth, I pushed old Tom Berkley into my chair, and excused mysolf for an hour. When I came down into the hall, a few minutes after, I found Bob Johns ready booted and spurred. I laughed inwardly. "Well, Bob, does old Piorse want to con sult you about his will ?" IIo stammered, and grew red. "1 thought, sir " " You thought little Hester might need consolation, so mean to offer your ghostly aid 1 Well, boys will be boys. IIolp me on with this shawl here, and get along with you." We rode off together. A dull, drizzly night, Bob's thoughts of little Hester may have kopt him warm, but I found it deci dedly uncomfortable, and just like old Pierse to choose such a night for his prep aration for the next world. A word of ex planation, that you may understand the ex igences of tho case as well as Bob and ' I did. ' Borne five years before, this same reputa ble old Pierso had mnrried a widow from Ijoudon county: a certain Mrs. Wray with one daughter, Hester. The widow was rich, had been an heiress in her girlhood, when, by-tho-way, she had known and loved this man Piorse, but had been forced to marry Wray by her father. She never cared for him, nor his daughter; and in Icsb than a year after his death, met and mar ried her old flame Pierso. She was one of these whey-Bkinned, pale-eyed women, whose loves and hates go dowu into the grave with thorn. She did love old Pierse enough to make me doubt lier sanity. It was a perpetual miracle to mo; but there never was a Bottom yet who could uot find a Titania to "stroke his amiablo ears." Well, tlie woman died at last, and then one would have hoped there would be aiueud of her lunatic coddling.' Far flom it. She was a native of Baton Kongo, and her property doubly insured to her by settle ment, and the laws of Louisiana, where women have more "rights" than ever Abby Kelly claimed. ' To justify the titlo of her sex to an inherent sense of justice, the woman doviscd her property entile to her husband, leaving Hester utterly dependent on his good will. I don't say old Pierse was a scoundrel. ' I only quote Shakspearo, and say Titania had been " enamored of an an ass." A pompous, fat animal pcrpet ual high grand of braggarts if any seeds of brain or feeling were in the man original ly, turtle and brandy had choked them out, Like all braggarts, the man could be led by a child with flattery. Jow Hester was no flatterer. A little girl with a low, loving voice, it Is true, but a most decisive way ot putting down her small foot, and a hearty contempt of all humbug. The two were not colleagues how could they be t Besides Pierse knew how thoroughly public indigna tion had been roused on behalf of the girl, and ilmliked her accordingly; submitted her to numberless vexations not tho least of which was tho Introduction into tho house of a mulatto slave as housekoupef,a woman whom the girl had every reason to fear and shrink from. Borne two years back Pierse had made a will, leaving the property to his brother, then in Cuba. I know of it, ' aiMfor Hester's sake had brought every in fluence to boar on the wretch to induce him to alter it, but vainly. In the last ' year gout had rendered him helpless.' Hester had nursed him for the memory of her dead mother; whatever kindly fueling was buried in the mass of flesh hnd kindled in to life, and day after day I hoped ho would do her a late justice. You comprehend now why I hurried to obey his summons? Bob Johns' intercut In the house perhaps you can guess at. Poor littlo ' down-trodden Hester was a favorite of mine, and for her sake as well as for his own, I wished Bob would turn Into a slower, surer path through life'; but talking, as usual in such cases, did n good. " The girl came out to meet me on the stops, bor blue eyes swelled with crying; the old fellow had been kind to her since he thought himself dying, and a fow words of kindness are enough to melt hearts like Hester's. However, when she Baw Bob, hor griof abated in a series of intense blushes and shy dimples about her mouth. That gallant young follow, whom . half the girls in Henrico county were in love with, was quite awkward and silent, which made me believe him entirely in earnest,' and think all the better of him. I left them in the parlor, and went up to the chamber, whore old Pierse was growling and swear ing to tho confusion of spirit of half a dozen blacks. Pierse, his growls, or his oaths have noth ing to do with my story; so suffice it to say that tho will was made, leaving the property, as was just, to Hester, with the exception of some legacies, and was duly itnessed by tho doctor and Jones, the overseer. 1 heard Jones, rough old rowdy as he was, mutter a thank God as he scrawled down his name. I kissed Hostor's thin cheek heartily as I came down, and Biarched Master Bob off with me. The fellow was so lost in rapture or sulkiness that he said nothing the whole way into town. Ho never once thought of the will, I honestly believe. One thing annoyed me. Pierse kept the will him self, " To have a hold on the girl," he said, and there was no calculating on his moody fits. Ho lived four weeks after this. All ne grodora was alive with tales of his whims and " debblishness," which Pine occasion-ally-forgot his high-breeding enough to re peat, when the younger sorvants were out of hearing, coupled with sympathy for "dat chilo lef to such a ' God-forsakou' wretch." At last ono morning, as Jim was shaving me, Pine came in fresh front tho morning paper, announcing that, " Bross de Lord, old Pierso was done gone at last." I glanced over the notice of "the lament ed death of our highly respected follow- citizon" while at breakfast, and then drove out to the Pierse plantation.' There was a crowd before mo; undertakers, negroes and down stairs, Hester's friends (she had truo ones of her own, and tho heiress of two plantations and eight hundred slaves was likely to have enough), Pierse's first at torney, up in the drawing-rooms, and bust' ling women everywhere. I sent for undo Joe, who bad been the constant attendant of tho dead man, and was his only mourner, I fancy. . " Is the will safe, uncle ?" I asked. ; . . "Tink so, massa," ho said, anxiously. "Mars' kep it in dat black box urn had un. der his bod, but um wore cranky beyond belief at do lass. Lord knows what urn's done." I saw something weighed on Joe's mind and beckoned him aside. Ho drew some thing mysteriously from his pocket. ' " When ole Mars' died, dis key wor in his trousers' pocket. It opens dat curious box and I tought twasbest to makosure ef de will's dar. which um good Lord grant!" '' The box was curious, as Joo said, a black casket lined with abestos, fastened by a peculiar lock. I remembered the old man had put tho will in it, looking at somo bank bills it contained with n chuckle. Brady, tho lawyer Pierso had formerly em ployed, joined me in tho library, where a funereal lamp burned dismally. '' Ji "Rumor says you have a will made late ly, Mr. Pago," he said. " I'm glad to' hear it. . A more diabolical piece of injustice than the one I drew up it would bo hard to And. Tho whole property went to his brother. I mention this, tub rota, of course. Though it matters littlo, as the deed is null." ' " , I confess Brady and I, however, grew a little impatient for the funeral to be over. Pierso, in tho imbecility of his last hours, had gabbled incessantly of the will to tho blacks about him, one hour threatening to burn it, the next praying maudlin blessings on Hester's head. , , t. ' , Tho funeral was over at last, and with Brady and Dr. Folke, who was appointed administrator, I proceeded to search for the will. Hester had been removed to the heuso of an old Quakor lady tho day before. ' The demure Friend Cox, however, had left "tho maidon Hester" asleep, and driven over to see if "justice had been, dono by that ungodly man," Tho good old lady checked herself at this unwonted outburst, and smoothed hor forehead and lavender silk ut the same time, toating herself ' pla cidly in the sunuiest coi ner of the drawing room. Just as we were beginning ,our search, a buggy drove up to the door, and Mr. Sholter was announced. Now Bholter was one of the wiryesr, wiliest, lowest pet tifoggers in Richmond... Brady drew him self back into hisicyest politeness, when this intruder bustled in with outstretched hand: and my owu welcome wus hardly more genial. i. , (,.."A sad loss I Had loss!" ho , said, sum moning a face of woe to cover his , embar rassment. 1 , , , . , ..... , Nobody spoke. - ' " Have yon claims against the 'personal property, Mr. Bholter?" I asked, seeing that the others waited for mo to 1 speak. "Otherwise our business at present Is' ur gent, and--" ' 1 ' '" " ' ' ' "Pre-clsely,' with an til-concealed1 smirk. "My business is yours, I am proud to say. J I am commissioned by Mr. Samuel Pierse, brother of the doccasod, now In Cuba, to attend to his interests in the matter. A will in his favor, I am led to believe, Is bold by Mr. Brady. ',' Brady bowed haughtily. " I am also informed that suspicions are entertained that tho deceased made a later disposition of his property. Eh I Correct? Well, well, we'll see to that 1 Unless the testator altered his mind and . burnod it. Our departed friend was not a rock In his Intentions Ha ! ha I More like St. Reuben thnn Bt. Peterf d'ye take, gentlemen ? I must havo my littlo joke," rubbing his hands. "Come, let's to business. Most happy to be associated with the first mem bers of the Richmond bar," etc., etc. " Never mind I" I laughed to Brady, who was chafing up to his usual exploding point; " we'll have dono with him presently I" and so led them to the old man's chamber, going directly to the corner where the box always had stood. It was not there. Let me cut my story short. Tho box was gone; neither chamber nor houso hold it. There is no heed to tire you with our dis may nor rage, nor Sholter's triumph hid den under a condoling face. Well, poor wretch I no wondor he rejoiced f The agen cy falling into his hands was a good, fat living to him. The box was gone. , Uncle Joe said that the old man had ex amined the papers it contained two nights before his death, and then hid the casket carefully under the mattrass of tho bed; since thon he had not seen it. We resolved to keep the loss quiet for a day or two, un til a thorough search was made. Mean while, Brady, in obedience to the power of attorney held by Sholtor, delivered to him and the administrator named therein the former will. "I will grant you, Mr. Page," said Bhol ter, condescendingly, " a day's graco to produce the document before I proceed to record tho will." I could have gnashed my teeth at the fellow; but I only bowed and answered, " All right. The document will be forth coming. I do not believe it is burned." "Thero I differ with you, sir," he said, with his detestable Bmirk. We passed out on tho portico The houso servants crowded about mo.' "Is it all safe, Marstor Page ?" said Undo Joe, acting as spokesman. " Who'd we belong to, marstor?" The old negro's voico was husky. "You aro sanguine, "Mr. Pago," sneer ed Sholter. "If the estate becomes the property of Mr. Pierse, I doubt not these hands will be transferred to the Georgia market." ' VTnclo Joe's face grew livid. " De good Lord help us !" he muttered, turning away. I watched Sholter bowling down the park, whistling as ho went.1 I suspected almost to certainty that he had been em ployed by Pierso in Cuba to obtain posses sion of the box by clandestine moans. But how to prove it ? 1 turned with Brady and entered the drawing-room, where tho old Quaker lady was pacing the floor trying to look calm. " I hope, friend John, thee brings good tidings?" she said, stopping short. - " We will hope tor the best," I said, eva sively. She looked keenly at us; then be gan slowly to pin on her shawl and bonnet. " I must return to Hester," dropping the subject instantly; though I saw her anxious eyes. t, , As I went out to help her into the old- fashioned coach, she loaned forward out of tho door, her smooth cheek coloring like a girl's of sixteen. "Friend John, is the young man, -Robert .Johns, betrothed to IIoster?( I ask not for idle curiosity." , I smiled, "t nave suspected such a thing to, be , possible, Friend Cox.", She looked more anxious. "You do not like the idua ? .He is a clever boy generous, talented." She shook hor head. "A noble young man, as God made him but as he has made himself the wino-cup, thee knows? 'at tho last, it stiugcth like an adder.' " I was silent. I know the page in her own story that made hor cheek grow palo now and her gray eyes 1111 with tears, "I think bettor of Robert," I said. ."His worst fault is indolence. KomeiAber the education tho. sons of our well-blooded, poor families receive. , Besides, as the hus band of Hester Wray, he will have enough to do to control tho plantations," , . "When ho cannot central himself? Oh! friend John, thee had ever a week sido for the follies of the ; young 1" . And the old lady drove away. ' . ' ' ' Two days after this late in tho evening, I mounted my old ' hack and rode out to Friend Cox's plantation. Slowly, reluc tantly; for I was the bearer ' of 111 tidings. A bright fire burned in the library, Hushing jets of light on the gray silken curtains, the plaiu rich furniture and books, the group of faces gathered about it. The mild eyes of the old Quaker wore the only ones that had 'any tinge of sadness.,' Bob Johns' face, with tho brown hair pushed book, fairly lit 'np tho,' room with its hearty glee. Why I'shoutd it not? ' Life had always been pleas antopened brighter and warmer now. 1 No day had thwarted him of all these years gone, i And Bob's heart and brain were steeped in the most crimson flush of love just then, sitting: on a low foot-stool at Hester's feet. She had been singing she 1 had lowvi chirping voice, very' pleasant to hear singing some quaint old scotch song about the V Land o' the leal." Melancholy enough t yet its sadness deepened the joy, somehow for the two 1 young hearts. , It touched the old - ono, too, if I mistake not,, not witstanding tho " testimony" of her sect against music; for the face was flushed coming to meet mo. A quiet, hap py breath pervaded the room. I settled down in it among them, uncertain how to break my news. Concluded next week. ' : ' ? SUNDAY READING. ; What Docs It Mean 1 i , ' ) l . . , " Father, what does it meau to be a drunkard ? Maggie Gray said that you was a drunkard, and her father said so." Had a bomb shell exploded at the feet of Mr. Wotson he could not have been more surprised. He stood mute, and ono might have beard a pin drop, so silent wore they all. But Katie, nothing daunted, after waiting what she thought a proper length of time repeated the question; and it was answered. " A man who drinks liquor and makes a beast of himself." " Is that what you do, father?" " It'a what I have done some times," re plied the man in choked voice,, "It's bad, ain't it?" . " Yes, child; the very worst thing a man can do." "And that's what makes mother cry when there don't anything hurt her; and that's the reason I have to wear such dreadful old shoes ?" Only one word in reply to this "Yes." " Then I shouldn't think you'd do so any more, "cause mother's good," and I don't like to wear old shoes "a bit. You won't be a drunkard any more, will you?" said Kate as bIio looked up to her father so confidently that he caught her in his arms and hid his face upon her shouldors. " Say, father, you won't will you ?" "No,, darling, I won't." And raising his hand he promised never, never to drink another drop of intoxicating liquor. " God help me," he added reverently. "Bless you, my darling you have saved mo." Then thero were tears and sobs, and broken ejaculations, all for very joy, while supper was forgotten. It made no differ ence to Kaity whether her shoes were old or new, but when a few days after she be came tho possessor of some long boots with red lacings and tassels, she bad a better ap preciation of tho change that had taken place. i , ;'..!'. Mr. Bcrchcr en Dying. , Rev. Mr. Beechcr docs not think it an evidence of special Christian graco to bo willing to die, Nor docs he think it nat ural for the young and those full of those activities of lifo to desiro to die. Ho says it is better to be willing to live and do the duties of life. When Paul said it was better to depart ho was an old man and in prison. If an October pippin is ready to drop, is that any reason a littlo green apple in Juno should bo ready ? AH ' tho repro. sentations of tho New Testament about death are full of cheer and hopo. For Paul to dio was to go to Christ. Dying is not growing short of breath and feeble of pulse; it is flying up to tho Al-loving Soul of the universe. ' It is going to swoct com panionship. ' We strugglo on through tho world, finding little companionship, but we go to the spirit of just men mado perfect. We go to where all tho conditions lift us up to a realm of nobility. There all is in concord. There is bo sel fishness, no hard ness, anu cruuoncsH, ana revenge; all are working up with ono sweet impulso with the great, genial, creative force of Divine love. ' These thoughts ring in my soul like the boll of a far off city drawing mo thith erwaro. uytng is tno easiest thing men do. The Buffering is in life; but as a rule, men die as easily as a door turns upon lis hinges. Dying is going home; not to stip- inencs, not ' to Oriental glory, but to su premo activity, where every part is (level oped and cultured iu the realm of love. The Silver Lining. Hain is not always comfortable while it is fulling; hut w hen it ceases,and the clouds' clear away from the sky, everything thrills and dances with delight. , Tho dew is chill ing tocurthly pursuits, and while it is fall ing darkuoss is upon the world; but when tho bright beams of daylight come, and the rising sun flashes on the hills, and its golden rays illuminate the valleys, it would seem as if air angel had oversown tho Holds with diamonds, and hung a, brilliant on every blade and leaf. 'Tho vory uiris redo lent of heavenly fragrance, and, tho whole earth is breathless amid tho songs and as there may bo discomfoit and darkness, clouds and gloom, w hilo the word of the Lord is (hiding tho way ito our souls; but those clouds will soon clear away, and that night bo over. And, when tho sunlight comes,' and the i 'day' rouews itself, and heavenly morning dawns, there shall come visions of beauty and experience of good, beyond all present imaginings, and over which the universe will thrill with rejoicings at what tho word of tho Lord, honestly re ceived into the soul, lias wrought. Jf Dr. Seiss. ""' ;.' i . ... Bloomflcld Acadpmy ! An Englith and datsical School von LADIES AND. GENTLEMEN ' Young Men Prepared For College." A Normal Si?wol and a School of Art BPKINOTEKM COMMENCES '. On Monday, the 8th of April, 1872. AS the above school has recently been re-organized, students can enter any time. - Prof. WM. II. DILL,' a graduate ot Bulger's Col lege, N. J., Principal. . mmi, r.mii.ir. b. ni ev nun, or new vers, win teach Music, Drawing and I'aUiiIug during tba wuui Willi. 4 . 4 j Every facility for the training nf the youth of both MevAfl 111 till Ml!fc nnnstltiilaa - 1ltPnl mtA k. ... ... . ........ .u . M ...roiiM ,1U ,UUIUUMn education. . " The Collegiate Department embraces all the higher branches. Including the Latin and Oreek Languages, Engineering, Practi cal Surveying, Literature, .Natural Uolence and ad vanced Nfatliematics. Vacations: July and August, and one week at Christmas. Terms: For Boarding, Furnhhed Room, Wash ing, Tuition in Latin, Greek, Engllnh Branches and Mathematics, for the scholastic year, 1180. In vacatlons.-jno,0O. The Hoarding Department Is at the Institution, under the supervision of Wlliara Orler, Esq., by whom good and substantial bo&rd will be fur nished: and the pupils will be under the strict care f the Principal. Addres Yf. H. DILL, A. M. Principal, or WILLIAM GKIKK, It 1 New Bloomneld, Ferry county, Pa. 000000000000000000000 o o o 0 o ooeoooooooo oo ooooooooooooo 0000 oooo o o o Another Arrival o o o ooeo oooe ooooo oooooooooeooooooooooo oooo oo oooooooooooooooooooo 0000000 '' 'OOOOOOO 0 o o o 0 o . - of . -.0 0 0 0 0 0 ooooooo' 0000000 oooooooooooooooooooo o ooooo ooooooooeoooooooooooo oo o o o oooo oooo ooo NEW GOODS "oo 00Q0 . 0 00 000000000000 oo o ooooooo 0000000000000000000 oooooo 000000 ooooo AT ooooo oooooo oooooo 0000000000 O 00000000 000 00 oooo ooooooooooooo oooo ooo p. MORTIMER'S. oooo 0 0 0 0000 ' ' oooo oo ooooo ooooooooooooooo ooooooooooooo o ooooo ooo CARLISLE CA1UIIA0E FACTORY. A. B. SlIEltK has a large lot of second-hand work on hand, whieli he will sell cheap In order 10 miLKt) room lor now worn, FOR THE. SPUING TTJADK. He has. also, the best lot of NEW WORK ON HAND. You can always see different styles. The material is not in tiuestioii any more, for it is the l"tt used. If you want satisfaction In style, iiiality and price, go to this shop before purchasing elsewhere. There Ts no linn that lias a better Trade, or sells more In Cumberland and Perry counties. REPAIRING AND PAINTING promptly attended to. Factory Corner of South ,' CA11LI9LK, PA. and i'itt b , Streets, 3 dp TAILORING. Having opened sGent'sfurnlHb Ing goods and Merchant Tailoring Establish ment, In the little Store next duftr to Potters Law Olllee, I would respectfully ask all In "eed of any thing in my line to call antf examine before pur chasing elsuu'B&re. , ,. .., , , , PIKCE GOODH i , from which to select narnients alwnys on hand which will be made up to suit Customers and , INTJIK LATEST 8TYLK on short notice. Don't fall to visit the, Little tSTOitK In the Corner. P. s. Cowls bought elsewhere will be made np In the licit manner. 8. H. BUCK, -New Bloomfield, Pa. A. II, FRANCISCUS & CO., M.'l MAltKICT STItKKT, IMiiliMlclpliin, We have opened for the SPRING THADK, the largest and best assorted Stock of PlIIt,AI)j:TaMIIA CARPETS TA1U.K, STAIR AM ' KLOOlt OIL CLOTHS, WINDOW SHADliS and PAl'Elt, CAKI'li'J CHAIN, COTTON. VAI1N, HATTING, WAIlblNti.TWINKH, WICKS, LOOK i INGOLASSKS, CLOCKS, PANCV HASKHTS, 11UOOMS, HAS- KETS, HL'CKKTS. UliUSH- , KS, CLOTH ICS WHINfl LltS, WOODEN ANI WILLOW WAKK IN TIIK ., , UMT1C1) STATICS. . , , Our large increase in business enables us to sell st low prices, and furnish tho best quality of Goods.. , ,, , . . ; . , . ' SULK AGENTS FOB TIIK Celebrated American Washer,' , PiticK tprs.rjo. OVICIt 1,1,0(0 SOLD IN' MX' MONTHS.' Terms: Carpets, 110 days. 1 , All other goods, M days. Not. CW.&Co. 6 8 Sin AOKNTS WANTUD FOB THE NEW WOltK, OUI CJIILUlllOIN, oit . i , , : : How to Make and Keep them Healthy. By Augustus K. Gardner, M. I).,' 1 Late Prorcssor lu New Vork Medical College. . It treats of Amusements. Education, Physical Development, Diseases, Aeeidenls, MaiThttiS, &o.. Imparting a vast amount of valuable information conducive to the Health, Happiness, and Wellace of the Young. Written in a pleasing style. It is exceedingly interesting. as well as Instructive. Every Family should have It, and no Parent can afford to be without It. Send for Circulars giving full particulars. . . , . DLFFIELD ABAMKAD, Publisher. . 711 Hansom street, Philadelphia. TO BOOK AGENTS. MARK TWAIN'S NEW HOOK, " ltOfjOIIITsfO I1V", ' Is ready for Canvassers. No book Is looked fov mom Impatiently than this, and agents will do well to gut territory for it as early as nossinhv Apply fur Circulars and terms to Dl'FFlKI.D ASHMEAD, Publisher. 711 SaiisoiuWlreel, Philadelphia.
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