Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1858-01-08

ohShi ohSh
There was death like stiffness.
"Ladies and gentlemen, / am commits
stoned to read to you the--the--what shall
call it2--it is hardly will--of the late
Mr.. Jordan. No, it certainly ought mo-
to be called will, for will, properly
speaking, is testamentary--" "a aiT
"Read, read, readr cried dozen
voices. .i t 3
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, am glad
to see you are all in respectable mourn
ing" -H aa , .,f
"Exceptone," said the younger brother
"there's his Mary, that he was so fond Of
Oh, dear me she only comes for what she
can get" -...-- r.f-..r-.t.-+ Z
Mrs. Grantham burst into tears. There
was a little shabby piece of black Grape
upon her arm, and another upon the arm
Of her child. ..-
ell could not" she said; 81 could
not do more. God help me! I had not
the meansl"
"Read, read, read p cried all the voices.
"Ahem |" said Mr.. Shaw, reading: II,
John James Jordon, being very poor, and
having in vain called upon every relation
l have in the world for assistance, and
found none, have to state that my heart
was filed with bitterness and uncharitable-
ness towards them. But still think that
they are not dead to all feeling; and this
being my last will and testament, I desire
that my detts, amounting to the sum of
one pound three shillings and eight pence,
be paid forthwith off my estate that my
funeral be strictly private, in Barnes
churchyard, where last parted with one
whom / loved, but who has gone abroad,
| am told and to that one of my relations
who will erect a tombstone, / bequeath---
"Hark will you r' cried one; abe quiet.
Go on-yes, yes. Oh you wretch, where's
your feelings. Go to the devilw
"Really, ladies and gentlemen" said I,
"this is most indecorous.
81 bequeath," continued Mr.. Shaw,
'my dying blessing and forgiveness"
Mr.. Shaw then folded up the will and
put it into his pocket, saying
II wish you all good morning, ladies
and gentlemen. I 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 1 hope you will some Of you
pay"
1t is quite impossible by any words to
fairly depict to the reader the appearance
of Mr.. Jordan relations at this moment.
IF the fabled Gorgan's head had suddenly
appeared, and transformed them all
to stone, they could not have looked more
completely paralyzed and panic-stricken.
ga tombstone p shrieked twenty voices.
"a tombstone"
"a tombstonel" said Mr.. Shaw. "a
small one would not cost muuh. You
could put on it o suitable inscription
Here lies" .f
lilies here-never mind" said the
brother. "Never mind. I-I-Oh, that's
all, is it."
"You are humbug," said the masculine
woman to Mr.. Shaw, "and so was old
stupid Jordan"
"Go to the deuce, all of you," shouted
another; 80 tombstone indeed" dI
Mr.. Shaw was wiping his spectacles.
"Eadies and gentlemen, allow me tc
add" r.l..i .. ..f#.
ooh, stuff. stuff Bother A tomb.
stone indeed; I shan'tstay another moment
An old thief. 1 wish tombstone had
been down his throat. Come onl Come
on It's all . do" . I .
"But, ladies and gentlemen-"
They were quite deaf to the remon
strances Of Mr.. Shaw, and in a few
moments the chambers were quiet clear
with the exception of Mrs Mary Grantham
who was sobbing bitterly. She then rose
and looked at me hesitatingly. Then sh'
looked at Mr.. Shaw, and she seemed to b.
struggling to say something. She placeC
her hand in her bosom, and drew forth
ring tied to black ribbon, and then, will
convulive offorst she spoke.
"This-this ring--it is my only valusbl,
possession. 1t was given to me thirtI
years ago, by him who is now no more
my cousin John, who loved me. / hav'
olung to il in pain and in sorrow, in diff
fculty and in distress; have never parte'
with it. 1t seemed to be but only sepera
ted from him while had it near my heart
But now, great distress forces me--to-t