The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-24
Friday Morning, Feb. "a, 1865.
Simon Warmers Will.

great old hickory trees, and beaten by the
winds and rains OF hall acentury-you would
never have guessed that it belonged to the
richest man in Seaburne- NOR would you have
recognized that individual in the wrinkIed
sexagenarian who sat on the porch, smoking
his pipe, under the shadow of a perfectly
blooming honeysuckle that was nearly as old
as himself.
Il didn't suppose you'd ha' gone off and left
your old uncle in this sort o. way, Martini he
said querulously. .It's blow to me-
Uncle, am sure you would give my plans
hearty approval, if you you would only con
slider Them
The words came from 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
headlong off to get yourself killed or taken
prisoner-it don't matter much Which--in
those pestilent North Carolina swamps'
No, uncle, l haven't any such intention,'
laughed young Martin Warner. But | have
made UP my mino to go and do my duty on
tue field, where q thousand better men than
myself have left the stain of their hearts
bloodI.
Pshawv calculated Uncle Simon.
just as you please, sir said the young mar,
good-humoredly.
is it just as please?' snarled Simon War
ner. Look here, MaTtin-you say this coun-
try of yours is more toyou than life or wealth
we'll prove it! II you are determined to
make fool OF yourself, do it. Only warn
you to abandon all thoughts of ever succeed
ing to the wealth have amassed. II you act
in opposition to ny wishes consider yourself
no longer my heir
4 am poor, uncle,' said the young man, 'but
not poor enough, l hope to allow my sense of
right and duty to be bartered for gold
Stay, though pursued Uncle Simon, keen
ly watching the young face from beneath his
frosty eye-lashes; There is yet another con-
sideration. Do you suppone Mr.. Maybe viii
give his pretty daughter to penniless adveu-
turer? Do you think Dora Maybe would
have been engaged to you had you not been
the heir OF my money!
The words, though spoken with the bitter
est sarcasm, glanced back from the armor of
frank truthlulness that encased Martin War.
ner's heart. He only smiled. u
Il have the 1rmest faith lin Dora's love, un-
cle.'
A silence Of some moments ensued-at
length Martin broke it.
Uncle Simon, am going-wll you not say
good bye?'
The old man shook his head grufiy.
'At tleast shake handsP and Martin extend
ed his hand entreatingly. Simon Warner
u,
hand aud the next moment Martin had disap-
peared among the tall shrubs of the little door
yard.
Gone-he was indeed gone. Up to the last
moment, Simon Warner had scarcely believed
he would actually depart-now he must be-
lieve it.
what do you say, Dora, darling; will you
love your soldier as truly as you love Uncle
Simon's heir?'
Martin?
Then you viii love me still?'
i will love you until death, Martin, and
through all ages of eternityP
Il know it, dearest; and as far as man may /,
I will prove worthy Of your lovel And when
come back
'When you come back, Martin All, do not
speak too eonfdingly.'
III [ 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 fag-and be re-
yes exclaimed Dora, with sort of sob
bing sigh. Il could give my best and dearest
for that cause! But, oh, Martin, God will keep
you ior my sake!
'Amenv said the young man, reverently.
The November snow was falling white and
thick among the leafless hickory trees; The
wind shook and ratified the easement of the
lonely room in the old farm house where 81
mon Warner lay dead and shroudedl Vain
and glorious had been his golden store to briba
the grim messenger, Death!
In the keeping room below sat a fortieth
cousin, one BsIa Warner, talking by fits and
starts, to bony female in calico short
gown who sustained toward him the relation
of wife.
'The viii is to be read this afternoon-of
course Pm the heir, seein' he's disinherited
his nephy. You and I'll be grand folks, Ell
vira; see If don't keep kerridge equal 10
Squire Duncan's and I'll buy that corner med
der o. Fat Prices, the fust thingp
'Aint you going to low nothin' to young
ESSartin?
Halo : as the door opened; it's you, is 1t, Mr
Martin? ! hardly knew ye, you was so fine IL
vonr pew uni,.arm. / was jest sayin' to Eli
viro. of course you wouldn't expect me to dG
notbin' for you, when the property come to
me. Let every man lock after himself
that's my motto
Martins cheek flushed slightly
Il entertain no expectations of any kind,
SIR he returned, haughtily. I am only too
glad that was here in time to receive dy-
ing grasp OF my uncles baud, and to heal
from his dying lips that was still dear TO him
in spite of what had come and gone. attend
his funeral from motive of deep respect and
affaction-pray do not misinterpret me-
Bella chuckled, visibly relieved, and as the
funeral guests dropped in, one by one, ht
went about with a sanctimonious whine, do
ing the honors of host, chief mourner. and
heir apparent, to the indignation oi the whole
neighborhood.
But when at length the snuffy little old law
yer unlolded the will, with apompous 'Ahem !
Bela's ewes sparkled greedily, and his features
twitcheo with eager interest. Would the old
man meyer have done with formality and legal
prose? Adhere it came!
do leave and bequeath my whole property
Lawyer Jones stopped here aud wiped his
spectacles, Bella uttered little conyulsivt
gasp.
10 my beloved nephew, Martin Warner, a
token of my appreciation OF his stralgnt
forward, manly and disinterested condnct an'
a proof that am not ashamed to confess h7y
self wrong in any trifing difference we maJ
have had
Not another word did Bella hear. He hard
ly waited for the reading of the will to be con
cuded, ere he burst into storm of angry re
monstrance.
9There is some false play here! I wit
messed will bequeathing all of it to mt
afore-
what might have been the date of that doc
ument, sir
sThe third o. July, mind it because--'
sAh--yes--very probable. But this will
bears date only six weeks ago. Mr.. Martil
Warner, allow me to congratulate you upol
the inheritance Of this splendid property
Alas! there was no cure for the discomftur
Of Bella, and Elvira, his wife.