Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-05-12


The child hobbled to him on her crutcl
aYou remember Uncle Zeb, don't you
the old man We went 10 see once, eh ~
Richard kissed the child's forehead.
aYeS, father"
aWell, he's dead, nay girl; he's deat
Do you remember what be said to you tha
Sunday IS we went 10 see him 7"
2Yes; he asked me If Id Ike to be
rich woman, and have fine house, and g
abroad; and said no, because I eouldn'
help mother to sew, or get your tea read
then"
"What else did be sayi"
aHe said when old uncle Zeb's dead
my dear. you'll find he hadn't forgot you;
and then / began to cry because be CRIME
at me So"
"Yes, its true enough. That's what h
said, Hannah" remarked Richard, trrnin,
to his wife. II never said q word abou
it then, nor since, nor has Jess. 1t wa
better not. But he told me as how b,
had made bis viii, and hain't forgot thi
child"
Mrs. Mallet came near dropping th
loaf of bread in her hand, in. her amaze
msnt. Ht trf ts
"You don't think It's true, do you, Rich
ard 7"
lo aCan't say, my dear. He was cunning
as a fox, and deceitfuI as old Nick. Nor
likely he's left it to hospital. Anyhow
the will is found, and, as he'll be buried
tomorrow, we shall know before long"
Richard Mallet seemed 10 take matter
very coolly. Not so, however, with hi.
wife. The bare idea of their poor, lame
child inheriting any of the hoardings o.
old Peck, the owner of nearly ali the hou-
ses in the court and the reputed possessol
Of an account at bank in the city, was
too much for her. The widest hopes were
excited in her mind; she could think and
talk of nothing else.
'.Well, Richard" was her concluding re-
mark that night, "we've been very happy
vi these years, and yet we've never seen
he color Of his money and, after alive
an do without it. If he should leave US
anything, il wouldn't be that we've been
seeking for it; nobody can say that We've
nad too much pride ever to demean our
'elves by counting him for his moneys
,ake; and ever since he abused you so, for
me, nobody can say you have
Jared to have his favor"
"You're right there, Hannah. If any
,f it should come to us, we'll know it's
,ome as it ought. Don't be too sure on it
-bough. Uncle Zeb was just the man to
play us trick at the last. He never for
yave, he always said"
1t was well, perhaps, Richard Mallet ad
led these words; they were some little
to his wife for the events of
he morrow.
When the morrow came, and the miser
,ad been laid in grave ballowed by no
ears nor tender memories, the will was
'pened before Richard Mallet and bis wife, in
me of the deserted rooms of the miser's
louse. Through the half open shutters,
cant sunbeam streamed OF the wig of the
i'd lawyer reading the will, and g track
# dancing notes across the dusky air.
drs. Mallet sat on a worm-eaten chest
there was only one chair in the room, that
coupled by the lawyer,) and Richard,
olding his hat in his hand, stood by his
7ife's side.
: The old lawyer read the preliminary
lauses of the will, to which both his hear
rs listened attentively; the one with re-
pect to the big words, the other with a
atient endearor to grasp their meaning.
he executors appointed were two gentle
len living in village in Kent, where the
eceased was born. Though Zebedee Peck
ad drew up his win himself, it was all in
roper form. He had commenced life as |
anper child in Kentish work-house;
sen, through the progressive stages of
op-picker and errand-boy, to be clerk in
lawyers office, and, finally, bill discount
r and money lender in London. Conse
uently old Peck knew what he was about
hen be made his last will and testament.
le had prepared surprise, however, for
hoeEer should read it. .,
The old lawyer suddenly stopped, blew
is nose and glanced down the parchment |
here seemed to be something unusual in
he document.
"Ail my real and personal estate. what
'ever and wheresoever"-repeated the |
.wyer, with an uneasy sort Of .hem'-I
i've and bequeath to-to-Jessie Mallet"
the parents both turned pale,-sthe |
aughter Of my nephew, Richard Mallet,
Little Winkle street in this city, and
,is-" ss
The lawyer glanced over a few words |
Irther, and then came to dead stop.
s'This is quite irregular-quite out Of
le course. Really, I don't know, / think,
y friend, it would he better your wife
'ould step into the next room whilst
,nfinne." ,sai -. /
"No, sir, 90 on; she can hear it." said
ichard.
The lawyer, with strange look at them
9th, resumed.
'"And this is the revenge have long
'omised myself In leaving my money
ms, may ! be sowing the seed of es-
between Richard Mallet and
9 child Nay it place bar between
em all their livesl May il divide their
,usehold! May it make the daughter
hamed of the father, and the father
alous Of the danghter!'
Mrs. MslIst put out her hand to her
lsband with terrified face. Richard
bod quite sill, but bis brow grew black
night.