Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1862-12-11
Chuies Mistellang.
The Wife's Dover.
BY A RETIRED ATTORNEY.

Everybody who knew John Gordon, knew
him to be the meanest and most contempt.
BILE man that was ever permitted to walk the
earth His brother Peter was but little bet
ter, so it would appear that meanness ran in
the blood of the family. John was pretty
well off, 70 far as this worlds good are con-
ccrned. His property was all invested in
buildings, which had cost him thirty thors-
and dollars He did not marry till he was
forty, probably from the fear of ncurring
unnecessary expense; and When finally he
did take wife, it was AZ he would have ia
ken a house Keeper servant.
Mrs Gordon was poor Young woman,
and had been obliged to work for living.
Probably she married on purely prudential
considerations, for she could not possibly
have loved such an abortion of a man as
John Gordon. She took good care of him,
better than he deserved, and was in every
aspect an obedient and faithful wife. All
she received in return was the meager sup.
port her husbands $ home afforded.
When they had been married about three
months, John was taken sick, and fingered
along for a year, during which time his wife,
was an excellent, devoted wife. Her whole
aim seemed to be to discharge her duty to
him with fidelity. She had made bargain
with him, and she performed her part Of
the contract with scrupulous exactness.
One day l heard that John Gordon was
dead. 1t was small loss to the communi
ty; and did not think of pitying his wife
for her lot would certainly be ameliorated
by his departure. She would be entitled tc
one third of the income of the real estate,
which for poor woman as she had been
and having no luxurious tastes to crafty,
would be princes stipend
Mine is IA very hard case Mr.. Docket
sad she, seating herself by my side.
Indeed Madam Thought you were
very well provided for. You have onethird
q. the Income of your husbands estate, ol
about IA hou-and dollars n year.
at sccm- that am not to have this, y
she replied, gloomily.
Not to have it,
Peter Gordon has taken possession o
the estate, declaring it belongs to him. :
He says that my husband sold it to him
two weeks before he died "
| How could that be?'
peter showed me the deed; he says i
has been recorded.
Does he? So much the better for you
madam. The law gives you one half of hi
personal estate"
But he sold it for one dollar" interrupt
ed Mrs. Gordon.
He could not sell it without your con
currencc. Did you release your right q
dover in the premises2''
mo, sir; Peter said did, though, an,
showed me my name, duly witnessed on tn
deed.
Did you sign it9''
mo, SIR"
Then it's forgery"
II suppose it is. "
you are confident you did not sign you
name to the deed?'
II am sure that l did not, for very goo
reason" "
''How's that2"
II cannot write, never wrote my name
l was brought up in the country, wher
girls did not get so much schooling as nov
NY folks were poor and | never had
chance to go to school, " replied Mrs. CO.
don with some confusion.
ibid your husband know that you coul
not writer
! mo; never told him."
dismissed her, with the request tn,
she should call next day. Iwent at once
the Registry Of Deeds, and found that Mr.
Gordon had told straight story. Her mi
erable contemplate husband had given b
property to his brother, in his last days,
as to cheat his wife who cared for his healt
and nursed him, in sickness, out Of her ju
claims upon his estate.
He was villain, but need not say
felt deep interest in the case of my ellen
aud resolved to bring matters to an issue,
o once. The next day, when sho called, 81
directed me to her sister, by whom it cou
be proved that Mrs Gordon could not wri
her name; who had seen her make her mar
often, within short time. gH'.
The person'who professed to have wi
messed the signature Of Mrs. Gordon, W
clerk in theofice Of Peter My first mo
was to arrest him on charge of fraud, al
2 9 sue his employer for my clients share
= the rents which he had refused to- pay ov
: to her. ctH
When had proceeded thus far l receiv
y a visit from Peter Gordon.
y "What do you mean, sir?'' he said, rat
= or sourly. ID !, :,
A' II mean to get justice for the widow. :"
h "Her husband was worth nothing when
died"