The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-01-19

lo-inOrrOW morning. L suaH pack up our
poor friend Latimer's legacy tonight Ha,
ha! 0 dear, 0 dear, what an eccentric be-
ing!"
The Fitzsimnlonses sniggled meliciously
". THE LEGACY.
1t had been a bard year for the poor Lati-
mers. George had gone to school, and that
was expensive. y needy brother returning
from Canada had drained off the rest OF
worthy Mr.. LIS read y money. And now it
wanted three days to the time Of paying the
interest on his life insurance for his wife and
where to turn for ID s. are ten pounds he did
not know.
When master is sad if there is any
sympathy or love in family, every one is
more or less depressed. So it was that that
cold march evening the Latimers, as they
sat round the fire after dinner discussing
the 'ca;chup aud logwood, but som
humble muled elder wine, were silent and
sad. George held Dorls hand and Willy
nestled on the tOotstool. Suddenly the doc,
opened, aud Susan came in. If you please
sir there is a large bumper come from the
station; six aud two-pence to pay"
"How jolly - said George, leapng up
and clapping his hauds.
Mr.. Latinier as he counted out the money
looked as ifihe thought paying six and Two.
pence was by 40 means jolly.
What can it be 2" said Mrs. Latitner
The hamper came in. 1t vas tied round
with red tape and sealed with black, On
the card was written: ''Ipye Godfrey bod
son, deceased With Aessrs. Fox & Shels.
ellis compliments.
The Latimers had long ceased to en- ter
tain auy hope of a legacy, but hope now
rose again III their eyes
: ''Hurrah Il! here's my knife papa" cried
George.
''It's china :" said Dora
Give me some Of it, cried ''Tot. whose
head had not yet grown above the level Of
the table, and therefore could see nothing
Of the interior Of the mysterious hamper.
Mr. Latimer cut the red tape. The
hamper was full of hay, and on the hay was
sealed letter in Uncle Godfreys handwri
ting. MIR. Latimer tore 1t open. The con
tents ran thus:
''DEAR LATIMER--l found out the tricks
and humbug of the t'itzsimmonses. NV
visit taught me to respect and love YOU and
Jane. have been q fool to live as have
done, but it is too late to alter now. The
keepsake send is rather curious in it's me-
chanism. Think of old cross Uncle Godfrey
sometimes. Farewell. (Signed)
GODFREY DoDsoN"
In moment, Mr.. Latimers hand pIung.
ed into the hay, and drew out, not caslzet,
nor box or bag of gold, but Uncle Godfrey's
wooden leg.
For a moment Nj. Latiner remained as
if turned to stone, and graspiug the wooden
leg in his hand. Then the color mounting
to his face, he cried stelnIy: George run
and ask the cook for tie bill hook from the
wood house"
George ran. Mrs. I.atimer seized her
husbands arm. Don't Fred, don't; it is
cruel. But what could we expect?"
Selfish, heartiess old miser !" cried her
husband, stamping his foot "What right
had he to covie and mock and tempt us, and
insult us with this vile tiing? Was he not
hard apd frozen, ana useless enough in his
lifetime, but must he rise from his very
grave to strike a pang into our hearts, at
such moment too, OF pain and anxiety %
George ran in at this moment with a
heavy sharp bill hook.
Thus said Latimer with cIeavine blow
edo doom his cruel present to it's only real
use-to feed the fire and perish as the mem
DRY OF all useless, selfish men will PERISH
AS he said this, Latimer Topped off the
peg end of the leg, and thrust it into the fire
where it instantly broke into a rejoicing
blaze. At the second blow, the bill hook
stuck deep in the wood, and refused to 90
further. Taken out and restruck. there
ura liz, - L. i 7
some iron screw. On looking it was evident
that small fiat box had somehow or other
been slid into the centre of the block The
establishment and excitement grew tremen.
dous.
George ran for the meat saw. and TIVE
sklilful cross cuts disclosed small fiat tin
box soldered down, What could it be +? Mr..
Latimer got sardine knife; and ripping il
open, discovered that it was full of paper. =
A further search disclosed five thousand
pounds i'll closely wcdged bank notes. One
thousand pounds worth We're labelled Jane
another thousand, ''Wily :" a third thous-
and 'tredcrick;' q fourth thousand, DO
RAJ" fifth thousand, Tot" On many Of
them there We're GRUMPY bIisters as if a
tear or two had fallen on the paper
How can describe the Joy and gratitude
Of the good people; now Mr.. Latimer kissed
Mrs Latimer, then all the children anc
how the children danced for JOY, and bless
ed dear Uncle Godfrey,
V. AN IMPORTANT AFTER THOUGHT
Two days after this, d tall, neatly dress
ed skeleton Of man presented himself al
the office OF Messrs, Fox & Shekell. He was
shown into Mr.. Foxs private room.
Mr.. Fox said lie II am File of the
firm of File 4 Rasper Clements Inn. Lat
teri Y we did the greater part Of the late ,Ir
Dodsons business, as dare say YOU know
have here will of the deceased. three
years later than the one in your possession
1t was properly signed and attested in tie
nreSeuca Of lnNsalf n.1l .,nrtr,nr Il :. l..