Maryland free press., 1866-05-10

1--WE must let the man alone. Its Wscaiiy
peice of business; but Pm poor lone widow and
must submit" u .u.l 9a.y iGl ''yI-si
Nothing could induce her to change her reso-
luton, and finally her friends let her alone, One
of her earliest visitors was Mr.. Green, the princi
pal lawyer of the town, who had been for some
years trying to detect the major in his viliiany
What passed between Aunt Winnie and the law
yer at this visit was not known; but as the old
lady remained SO quiet, every one supposed that
he had told her there was no way Of resisting
Major-K, and had counselled her not to In
cur the old mans enmity. ',pi, lr19r !
No one was more surprised at Aunt Winnie s
course than was the major himself. He had ex-
pected that she would resist him; but, as he knew
that she had not the means to defend her course
in court, he believed that he wonld be able TO
browbeat her into accepting few dollars for her
claim. Her conduct astonished him greatly but
he concluded that Aunt Winnie had not the spirit
to defend her rights. ID
Thus matters went on. The cottage was
finished, and the fencing erected. Altogether II
it was sweet, pretty place, and compared favor
ably with anything iH the town. Major K---T-7
was called to the city on the day the house was
finished, and did not return home for two days.
As soon as he arrived, he set off to look at lris
new house. On the way he met lawyer Green,
who asked leave to accompany him. This request
was granted, and the two went along together.
1t was cold afternoon; and, as they approach
ed the cottage they saw q thin white smoke
rising from the chimney. The major noticed
this with surprise, but supposed that the work.
men had kindled a FIRE for The purpose Of drying
the house. r All ,.i,.,. ..Y'. ta.,
But, as he opened the door, he paused on the
Threshold, like one turned to stone.
A bright fire was burning in the sitting-room
of the cottage, and before it Aunt. Winnie was
sitting, busy with her knitting. Her scanty
stock of furniture was disposed neatly about the
room. 1t. was evident at glance, that she had
taken possession Of the PREMISES. She looked
up as the major opened the door, and nodded
pleasantly. '.'. .'" 49, .' >i' 'i'
eWon't you come in 2" she asked io.t ,a
"Aunt Winnie what are You doing here r.
asked the major falteringly; for the truth began
to dawn npon him.
~ have taken possession of my house to b'
sure" she said with SMILE ''Its q very nice
pretty place major; and it is very kind in you te
do so much for a poor old woman like me-"
"Your house, Aunt Winnie ~ .gasped the ole
man with his face perfectly ghastly. "You'
house2 You are mistaken. / built the hons'
myself, and paid for it only yesterday.
every true, major; but the building, and every
thing belonging to it is on my land, and you cal
neither turn me out nor move single plank
That is lsw; and think you have missed you
mark this time, major" ...l..-Ir
The major turned to lawyer Green; but he con
firmed Aunt Winnie's statement, and assured th
old man that he had no escape from the predica
ment in which he had involved himself.
Major < said not word, but, turning
away, walked slowly homeward, completed.
crushed. He mover recovered from the shocl
which he had received, and in few years died
Aunt Winnie continued to hold the cottage
So great was the delight Of the people ofthe town
that they raised money enough to furnish it com
fortably, and to give her handsome sum besides
To this day they tell the story with decided
satisfaction, and the cottage is still known a
"Aunt Winnies house,