Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1859-02-18
MeS Rpun Ohanbee's Jeernai.
n DEAD MAN 1eEvENGE.
now n wosxsp AND HOW 1T ENDED.
+ CONTINUED. /

~sssg go CONTINUED.
The old lawyer suddenly stopped,
blew his nose, and glanced down the
parchment. There appeared to be
something unusual in the document.
"All my real and personal estate,
whatsoever and wheresoever"-repeat-
cd the lawyer with an uneasy 'hem'-
4 give and bequeath to-to-Jess'e
Nallet the parents both turned pale,
the daughter Of my nephew, Richard
Mallet of Little Wrinkle Street, IN this
city and this
The lawyer glanced over few words
further; and then came to dead stop.
This is quite irregular-qulte out
of the course. Really | don't know
Think, my friend, it would be better
your wife should step into the next
room, whilst ! continue
NO, sir; 60 on; she can hear it, said
Richard.
The lawyer with strange look at
both Of them, resumed. And this IS
the revenge have long promised my
self. In leaving my money thus, may
l be so--ing the seed Of estrangement
between Richard Mallet anc his child.
May it place bar between them all
their lives. May it divide their house
hold! My it make the daughter
ashamed Of her father, and the father
jealous of his daughter"
Mrs. MaIlet put out her hand to her
husband vith terrified face. Rich
ard stood quite still, but his brow grew
black rs night.
MAY wealth be the curse to them i
has been TO me, and bring discord be-
tween kith and kin! 1t is with the be-
lief that it can and will do this that J
leave my money to Richard Mallet's
daughter. Ill-gotten gains never pros
per- he once told me. Let him re-
member ths-let him take it to heart
now, when these same gains have be-
come the legacy Of his own child
The lawyer stopped, for Mrs. Mallet
had burst out weeping; but Richard
WAS standing as before, though with
great drops of sweat upon his brow,
and his wife's hand clcnched tightly in
his.
Them is words, sir, as nobody as a
right to use,' said he in low, hoarse
voice-'them is words as ull rise up in
judgement again him one day. Soon
er than have one penny of his money
now ld-'lon't pull my hand, Hannah;
l know what I'm saying-Td see my
wife and children lie dead in the street
Look here, sir-look here; that was
Uncle Zeb's work
The man had suddenly barred his arm
and was pointing to ring of livid flesh
that encircled it.
'When l was lad, he hung me up
by that arm, and beat me with a rope,
because would not do his dirty work.
forgave him that though, years ago,
for got on in the world without him,
and was happier than he had ever ocen.
But now that he tries to set my own
children again me; as he once tried to
set me agin my wife, I wish the Lord
may"
20 Richard, don't, DON'T His wife
put her hand upon his mouth and stay
ed the curse upon his lips. Don't say
them bad words, don't Dick, don't
Remember what you tell the boys. Q
my poor man.
She chung to her husbands shoulder
and wept there.
You're right, my lass. | preach but
don't practice
Richard Mallet drew deep breath,
passed his hand over his wet brow,and
sat down on the chest, with the veins
all swollen in his face, and his limbs
trembling with the efforts to subdne
himself.
is there anything more to read,
sir? I'll know it if there be, if you
please
No, nothing but the usual clauses
for giving proper power to the execu-
tor--mere matter of detail, replied the
old lawyer, apparently very ill at ease.
Then, sir, said Richard slowly and
deliberately, I'D like to say once for
all, and in presence Of you and my
wife as witnesses, that 'ereby refuse
to have, and renounce, for me and my
child, every farthing of this mans
money!
Richard uttered the words as SOL
EMMY as though they had been le-
gal oath of remuneration, and then
with a look of relief, got up and kissed
his wife. Don't cry, my woman; We
will be going our way home again
yes, better do SO, perhaps-better
do SO, Mr.. Msllet,' said the lawyer
But must remind you that-that the
property Of the deceased is left to your
child ana not to yourself. 1t is in the
hands of trustees. You cannot, there
fore, renounce what is not your own.
However we'll talk matters over to-
gether tomorrow, al my office.
The cloud that came over Richard
MalIet's face at these words did not
disappear again that night. He went
home in silence, nor spoke one word
to his wife all the way.
For the first time in his life he drove
Jessie away from him, when she bro,
her stool and knitting to sit at his feet
and, for the first time since they were
born, the boys went to bed without
their fathers kiss.
CHAPTER H.-HOW THE REVENGE
WORKED.
Richard Mallet never closed his
eyes that night. He got up at SIN
next morning, had his breakfast, and
then, as though nothing had happen.