The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-10

they're all ih the dark together-the
only differ ehee is, thht pafsents grope
in the English, nnd doctors in the
| Latin"
"You arc too skcptical," said John
Mende
"Pooh," said Mr.. Collett. "Let
lis change the subject. L want your
service, Peter and John, on q matter
that concerns your interests. I'm
going TO make my will tosliay-audyI
dom tkpow, how TO sact snbout your
cousin Emrnn Briggs. Emma. dis
graccd'us by marry ing m oil man"
An oil mani. exclaimed John X,
"a vulgar, shocking oil man!' said
Mr.. Collctt; ''n wretch, who not only
rsold oil but soap, candles, .turpen-
/ fine, black lapl and birch brooms.l ri
was b. dread FIJI blow to the family.
Her poor. grand d!father never got over
it. Well, Briggs, the oil man, died
!assc week, and his, widow has written
! to me, asking for assistance. Now, T
have thought of leaving her n hun
hdred poundsHa year in MY will. What
do yoa think Of it? I'm afraid she
don't deserve it. What right had she
to- marry against the advice of her
friends? Whit have L to dewith her
nisfortunes?"a.s2 {
MY mind is quite made up," said
Peter Finch. mo notice ought to
Ebertaken other. She made nm OBJ
,sthate an6 unworthy ematch-now
let her abide the consequence"
Now for your opinion, John"
said Collett.
say the same" sam said John % Meades 4 ies
bracing himself up boldly for the
part OF the worldly man, ""What
right had shetto marry, as you OBJ
served with great justice, sir. Let
her abide the consequences, as you
very properly remarked" said Meade.
Cant she'icarry on the oil man S
business? I dare say. it will support
her very we'll"
why, no." said Mr.. Collett;
Briggs died bankrupt, and his
widow and children are destitute.
THAT does not alter the question"
said Peter Finch. "Let Briggs
family do something for her.
"To be sure" said Mr.. Collett.
Briggs family nre the people to do
something for her. She mustn't OK.
pect anything from us-must she,
JohnP"
Destitute, is she?" said John.
"With children, too. Why, that is
another case, sir. You surely ought
to notice her-to assist her. Con
found it. I'm for letting her have the
hundred q year."
10, >John, John! what n breaI,
downw said Mr.. Collett. $50 YOU
were trying to follow Peter Finch
through Stony Arabia, and turned
back at the second step! John!
John! keep toyour Arabia Felix, and
leave sterner why's to very different
men. Goodbye, both of you. I've
no voice to talk any more. I'll
think over al. you have said"
He pressed their hands, and they
left the room. The old man was too
weak to speak next day, and in three
days afterwards he breathcd his last.
AS soon as the funeral was over,
the Will was read by the confidential
man OF business who had always
attended to MIR. Collects affairs. The
group that sat around him preserved
dccorous appearance OF disinterest-
edncss; and the usual preamble to
the will having been listened to with
breathless attention, the man of busi-
ness read the following:
II bequeath to my niece, Emma
Briggs, Notwithstanding that she
shocked her family by marrying an
oil man, the sum of 1000, being
fully persuaded that her lost dignity
if she could ever find it again, would
do nothing to provide her with food.
or clothing, or shelter"
John Meade smiled, and Peter
Finch ground his teeth-but in a
quiet, respectable manner.
/ The man of business went on with
his reading:
Having always held the opinion
that woman should be rendered o.
rational and independent being, and
duly considered the fact that society
practically denies her the right of
earning her own living, I hereby
bequeath to Mary Sutton the sum
OF 10000 pounds, which will enable
her to marry, or to remain single,
as she may prefer"
John Meade gave prod;gjous
start, upon hearing this; Peter Finch
ground his teeth again, but in q