Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-08-23

from to another shot from the eyes of
the relations. 1t was a most pitiful picture of
human nature.
ssLadies and gentlemen" said Mr.. Shaw,
.sahem ahem.''
There was death like stiffness.
s'Ladies and gentlemen, am commissioned
to read to you -the--what shall call it p
it is hardly will-of the late Mr.. Jordan. No,
it certainly ought not to be called will, pro
perly speaking, is testamentary-''
.sRead, read, read ?'' cried dozen voices.
s'Well, ladies and gentlemen, glad to
see you are all in respectable mourning"
except one,'' said the younger brother;
.sthere's his Mary that he was so fond Of
Oh, dear me, she only comes for what she can
get.''
Mrs. Grantham burst into tears. There was
arm, and another upon the arm of her child.
81 could not,' she said, 81 could do no
more. God help me I had not the means.''
'sRead, read!'' cried all the voices.
''Ahem,'' said Mr.. Shaw, reading Il, John
James erdan, being very poor, and having in
vain called upon every relation, / have in the
world for assistance, and found none, have to
state that my heart was filled With bitterness
and Observation-Disclosures towards them. But still
/ think they are not dead to all feeling and
this being my last will and testament, / desire
that my debts amou nting to the sum of one
pound, three shillings, and eight pence be
paid forthwith out my estate that my fu-
neral be strictly private in Barnes churchyar
where last parted with her whom loved but
who has gone abroad, / am told !; and to that
one of my relations who viii erect a tomb stone,
] bequeath--''
ssHark! win you 2'' cried one; ssbe quiet.
Go on-yes, yes. OH you wretch, where s
you feelings? Go to the-''
s'Really, ladies and gentlemen,'' said l.,
ssthis is most indecorous.''
81 bequeath,' continued Mr.. Shaw, my dy-
ing blessing and forgiveness
Mr.. Shaw then folded up the will and put ii
81 wish you all good morning, ladies' and
gentlemen. l sold the few clothes and other
matters he died possessed of, and paid for the
funeral, and his debts being myself minus
one shilling and four pence, (which / hope you
will some of you pay.'' e9F .tss}7fssel
1t is quite impossible by any words to fairly
depict to the reader the appearance of Mr..
Jordan's relations at this moment. If the fa-
bled Gorgon's head had suddenly appeared
and transformed them all to stone, they could
not have looked more completely paralyzed
and panic-strcken.a i1J tiH sat u -ts.F-a
ga tombstone" zig tE- i9t' 9.5
"a tombstone," 5" said Mr.. Shaw "a small
one would not cost much. You could put on
it suitable inscription. Here lies-''e
ssLies here--never mind,'' said the brother.
s'Neyer mind. I-Oh, that's all, is it, M
'sYou humbug," said the masculine
woman to Mr.. Shaw, sand so was old stupid
jordan 4 ..f+ -. t-,.si-..,..., -gs s.ss.,.g,
600 TO the deuce, all of you,'' shouted an
other. GA tombstone, indeed.'' res a.l! 20
Mr.. Shaw was wiping his. spectaelcs. ,gve
ssLadies and gentlemen, allow me to; add
ssOh, stuff. stuff; brother A tombstone
indeed sIant stay another moment. An old
thief. Iwish tombstone had been down his
throat. Come on. It's do.'' sya,.l iI5
ssBut, ladies and gentlemen - i,&
They were quite deaf to the circumstances
of MIR. Shaw, and in few moments the chain
bers were quite clear, with the exception of
Mrs. Mary Grantham, whowas sobbing bitterly.
She then rose and looked at me hesitatingly.
Then she looked at Mr.. Shaw, and she seemed
to be struggling to say some thing She placed
her hand e her bosom, and drew forth a ring
tied 20 black ribbon, and then with con-
.sThis-this ring-is my. only valuable pos
session. 1t was given to me thirty years ago
by him who is now no more, my cousin John,
wholoved me. i have clung to it in pain and
sorrow, in difficulty and distress. have
never parted with it. 1 seemed to be not
wholly separated from him while i had it near
my heart But now great distress forces me-
TOTO part with it. Will-wilI neither of you,
gentlemen, buy it of me. I shrink from its
going into the hands of utter Strangers
.sHumph,'' said Mr.. Shaw. ssThere are a
couple of sovereigns for il"
She took the money, and then, after one
long, lingering look, and fervent kiss at the
ring, she laid it on the table and tottered from
the place. Twas about to follow her, but Mr..
Shaw held me back.
ssHold, hold - he said. d, H5-y.si,a.rs
! ssYou're brute, SIR said I. ssTake your
hands off me I will buy the ring Of you and
give it back to her. 1t breaks her heart to
part with it, / see.'' s~;d-yY ffT.;T 1fffrff
! ssI shan't part with il, ;, !" he said; ssyou are
very, hasty man, doctor, 3,yo iw 10 s.fr,4d
1 was very angry, and bounced out of the
Office, I looked eagerly for Mrs. Grantham
but could not see her. l walked hurriedly