The Portland daily press., 1864-05-28
MISCELLANY.
Simon Warmers Will.

old hickory trees, and beaten by the winds and
rains of half a century--you never would have
guessed that il belonged to the richest man in
Seaburne-nor would you have recognized that
individual in the wrinkled sexagenarian who sat
on the porch smoking his pipe, under the shad-
ow of perfectly blooming honeysuckle that
was nearly as old as himself
81 didn't s'pose you'd ha' gone off and
left your old uncle in this sort O. way, Mar
tin, = he said querously. It's blow to
me-"
.sUnce, am sure you would give my plans
hearty approval, if you would only consider
them"
These words came from a tall, handsome
young fellow, with sunburnt cheeks and eyes
full of blue, flashing fire, who leaned against
one of the rude wooden pillars that supported
the porch.
"Then you've made up your mind to go head
long off to get yourself killed or taken prisoner
lit don't matter much which-in those pestilent
North Carolina swamps.'
No, uncle, haven't any such Intention
laughed young Martin Warner. but | have
made up my mind to go and do my duty on the
field, where thousands of better men than my
self have left the stain of their hearts blood
'Pshawp' CALCULATED Uncle Simon.
"Just as you please SIR" said the young
man, good humoredly.
SIS it just as pleasel'' snarled Simon War
ner. Look here, Martn-you say this country
of yours is more to you than life or wealth.
fool of yourself do it, Only warn you to
abandon all thoughts of ever succeeding TO the
wealth have amassed If you act in opposi-
ton to my wishes, consider yourself no longer
my heir
shut not poor enough, hope, to allow my
sense of right and duty to be betrayed for
gold''
''Stay though pursued Uncle Simon, keenly
watching the young face from beneath his fros-
ty eyelashes, there is yet another considera-
tion.-Do you suppose Mr.. Maybe will give his
pretty daughter to penniless adventurer ? Do
you think Dora Maybe would have been engaged
to you, had you not been the heir to my
money"
The words, though spoken with the bitterest
sarcasm, glanced back from the armor of frank
truthfulness that encased Martin Warmers
heart. He only smiled
Il have the frmest faith in Dora's love,
uncle
:. silence of some moments ensued; at fength
Martin broke it.
'sUncle Simon. am goinp-will Won not say
good byel''
The old man shook his head gruffiy.
At least shake hands," and Martin extended
his hand entreatingly. Simon Warner merely
touched it with his cold, shriveled hand, and the
next moment Martin disappeared among the
tall shrubs of the little door-yard
6one-he was indeed gone. Up TO the last
moment, Simon Warner had scarcely believed
ne would actually depart-now he must believe
"what do you say, Dora, darling; will you
love your soldier as truly as you love Uncle
Simon's heir y''
Martini
Then you will love me still 20
Z Il will love you until death, Martin, and
through all the ages of eternity -
Il know it, dearest and as far as man may,
will prove worthy of your love And when
come back
when you come back, Martin All. do
not speak too confdngly. If ! should lose
you
''If you should lose me, could you not re-
member that died for my country-under the
folds OF the glorious old flag = and be re-
signed ~
Yes exclaimed Dora, with sort of sob
bng sigh. Il could give my best and dearest
for that cause But, oh, Martin, God will
keep you unscathed for my sake
Amen y said the young man reyerently.
Inc November snow was falling thick and
white among the leafless hickory trees; the wind
shook and ratified the easements of the lonely
room in the old farm house where Simon War
ner lay dead and shrouded Vain had been
his golden stores to bride the grim messenger,
Death
In the keeping room below sat fortieth
cousin, one Bella Warner, talking by fits and
starts 10 bCny female in calico gown, who
sustained toward him the relation of wife.
The will is to be read this afternoon. OF
course I'm the heir, SEEM he's disinterested his
nephy. You and IN be grand folks, Elyiry; see
If dsn't keep kerridge equal to Squire Dun
cans, and II buy that corner medder o. Fat
Prices the fust thing
Amt you going to low nothing to young
Martini
.'Not l; what's Martin Warner to me Hal
10 " as the door opened; ''it's you, is it, Mr.
Martini hardly knew We, you was so fine in
your new uniform. was just sayin' TO Elyiry
OF course you wouldn't expect me to do nothin
for you, when the property comes to me.
motto"
Martins cheek flushed slightly.
Il entertain no expectations of any kind,
sir" he returned haughtily. II am only too
glad that was here in time to receive dying
grasp of my uncle's hand and to hear from his
dying lips that was still dear to him in spite of
what had come and gone i attend his funeral
from q motive of deep respect and Affection
pray do not misinterpret me-
Bella chuckled, visibly relieved, and as the fu-
neral guests di opped in one by one, he went
about with long face and sanctimonious whine
doing the honors of host, chief mourner, and
heir apparent, to the Indignation Of the whole
neghborhood
But when at length the snuiy little old lawyer
unfolded the viii with pompous "Ahem 20
Bela's eyes sparkled greedily, and his features
twitched with eager interest Would the old
man never have done with formalty and legal
prosel. Adhere il came!
'.Do leave and bequeath my whole property,
real and personal
Lawyer Jones stopped here and wiped his
spectacles. Bella uttered little convulsive
gasp.
s'To my beloved nephew, Martin Warner, as
token Of my appreciation of his straightfor-
ward, manly and disinterested conduct, and a
proof that am not ashamed to confess myself
wrong in any trifing difference we may have
had"
Not another word did Bella hear He hardly
waited for the reading of the will to be cenclu-
ded, ere he burst into storm of angry remon-
STRANGE.
''There is some false play here / witnessed
will bequeathing il all to me afore-"
what might have been the date of that doc
ument, sir!''
''The third July. mind it because
"Ah - yes - very probable. But this will
bears date only six weeks ago. Mr. Martin
Warner allow me to congratulate you upon the
inheritance of this splendid property
Alas there was no cure for the discontinue
of Bella and Elyiry his wife. Fortunate it was
for them that Martin did not adhere too strictly
TO the motto, "Let every man look after him
sef''
So, after all, Dora Maybe married the richest
man in Seaburne.
II XXZ TT a - II