The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-11-26
CHAPTER XII.-He Tri6naal-We We RDris-
OHWellk
"Hope had departed; and my life before me
Lay covered with the ashes OF the past


While the strange incidents Of our last
chapter were transpiring, old Meg, in the
midst OF her bereavement, was Informed OF the
conditions Of the codicil. A learned and be-
uevolent attorney volunteered to investigate
the matter for her. From the particulars he
could gather from Meg, he had no doubt but
the abducted child was the real mhcritor of
the estate. Every circumstance went to
strengthen the fact. But then, the direct ev-
idenCe in the case was SO vague, that it scarce
ly seemed worth while to make the claim
Nevertheless the time set forth in the instru-
ment had nearly expired, and the attorney
felt the necessity Of Immediately taking some
action on the subject, for it would soon be too
late.
The day assigned for the investigation arri-
we'd, and poor old Meg appeared, much, how
ever, against her own wishes. She stated the
incidents of the child's history, SO far as She
was acquainted with it, precisely as they had
occurred; but the only evidence she could
produce to eorrObOrate her story, was the let.
ter, which the reader has before seen, bearing
the signature Of Flora
But this was insufficient The Judge ruled
that they had no evidence that the child ab-
duCted was the one referred to in the codicil:
that it was essential to produce some evidence
to prove the letter genuine, as it had been as
sailed as forgery; and, moreover that the
child must be present, as the codicil acknOw-
ledged her only as the inheritor, except in the
case of the last sum mentioned, which went to
the guardian, but no evidence of real guar
danship had been produced.
This being the state Of the case, Meg's at
tOmey felt compelled to abandon the suit as
the required evidence could not be produced,
and the time allowed in the cOdiCil would ex-
pire in few months
At this stage of the affair, the advocate Of
Lotherage, that he might make his scheme
more secure, ordered that old Meg should be
apprehended as an imposter, and immediate
ly brought to punishment. The counsel Of
the poor woman endeayored to stay this pro-
Ceeding; but, as is too often the case, the in-
fluence of wealth dazzled the eyes Of Justice,
and poor NEGLIGIBLE, trembling, tottering on
the very brink Of the grave-Was placed in
close conference.-the answer to charges of q
grave nature.
And was this the Just reward for all her la.
Dor? For this had she tOiled, and worn out
her life for her fellow mortals? For this haC
she denied herself every comfort, and devoted
her years to others? Happily, thought she
there is one tribunal at which conscience eau
not be crushed, Or evaded.
'What is the worst of woes that wait on age?
What stamps the wrinkles deepest on the brow
To view each loved one blighted on lile's page
And be alone on earth-as lam now"
She felt that if only little Flora could b.
there--if only Frank could come to her as
sistance-or even if kind hearted Jack Brew
ster could speak a cOnsoing word, she woult
be infinitely happy! But mo- it was imposs
blel All had been swept olf--she only re-
mained; and death was the only bliss she coulC
now look forward to.