Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-12-19
The Stprp.Teller.
THE LOST WILL;
MY UNcLE's GHOST.

The Culvertons had lived in the old family man.
sion and enjoyed the revenues of the family estate
for many years, without the slightest doubt that
they had right to it, when suddenly there started
up, from goodness knows where, an individual who
laid claim to the property, and seemed likely to
prove his claim to all but the Culvertons them
selves. ..ss.......
It was certain, Jabez Hardy was the nearest rel
ative, and certain that Mrs Culverton was only a
grand niece of Hiram Hardy, deceased; but the
Gulverton's had lived with the old man for years,
and he had promised time and time again, to leave
them everything. He had even declared that his
win was made in their favor and that such q doc
ument was actually in existence, Mr. Ouiverton
could notdoubt; but diigent search had been made
in vain, and Jabez Hardy, whom the old man nev-
er saw, was to take the place Of people he loved so
fondly, and who had been his comfort in his last
moments.
sIt was shame r. said every one.
ga cruel, wicked thing!" sobbed Mrs. Culver
ton: .;........
And Mr. Culverton, who had never expected a
reverse, was quite crushed as the pending lawsuit
progressed .-..
A thousand times day he said:
'sHow providential it would be if Uncle Hiram's
will would turn up at this moment"
II wonder how he can rest, poor man, with such
injustice going on"
But no matter what they said, or how they man
aged, no viii was found, and Jabez rubbed his
hands in triumph. .
It was strange that while matters were In this
condition, one 50 deeply interested in the subject
as Mrs Culverton necessarily was, should dream
of anything else but dream she did, night after
night, of an entirely different subject.
Inevitably, for week at least, she had no soon-
er closed her eyes than she found herself in an in
tel6gence Office, full of employees of all ages and
nations, and face to face with girl Of small stat
ure with white Scotch features, and singular blue
eyes, wide apart and staring, who desired the stu
alton of cook.
At first she did not Ike the girl, but in every
dream she found her aversion vanish.
After few moments conversation, as invaria-
bly,, it had began to melt when the girl looked at
her and said:
'pd like to hire with you, ma'am."
It was always the same of6ce-always the same
girl-always the same words were uttered-untll
Mrs. Culverton began to think there must be some
thing in the dream. .. 49,. ...... ~.
Though it can't come true," said she, 'for
while johanna remains here I shall never hire an
other cook. is.
And just as she said this there was q scream in
the kitchen, and the little errand girl ran m fright
ened out of her Senses to tell how Johanna, lifting
the wash boiler, had fallen with tand scalded her
SELF
Mrs. Culverton followed the young girl into the
kitchen, and found johanna in a wretched condl-
ton and the doctor being sent for, she was put to
bed and declared useless for her domestic capacity
for OF least month to come. A temporary sub
stitute must be had, and Mrs. Culverton that very
afternoon went to New York to find one at the in
tellgence Office ......- ..s.
Strange to say, in the hustle, she had quite for
gotten her dream, until she suddenly stood face to
face with the very girl she had seen in it. A small
young woman, with very singular blue eyes in a
white face, and whose features betrayed Scottish
origin. She had risen-this girl-Gom seat in
the Office and stood before her, twisting her apron
strings and eourtesying:
I'D like to hire with you, ma an" she said.
The very words of the dream, also. Mrs Cul-
yerton started and in her confusion could dony say
"Why"
The girl blushed.
II don't know" she said, "only it seems to me,
Id ike to live with you"
1t seemed fatal thing to Mrs. Culverton, but
she put the usual questions and received the most
satisfactory answers, except as to preferences.
''But I can't employ you without reference, y
said Mrs c., knowing that Fate had decreed thai
this girl should take place in her kitchen.
eff you can't I must out with it." said the girl
''There's my lady's name, ma am. She will tel
you I'm honest and capable; but she turned me
off for frightening the family"
"How2" asked Mrs Culverton. .@
'sSeeing ghosts p replied the girl. 'Every day
saw little child in white playing about the house
and all said there was no such child there, though
there had been once, but he was dead. Mistres.
said pretended to see it for the sake of imperti
nence, and she discharged me ; but I knew by hel
trembling that she thought had seen ghost
went to doctor, and he called topical delusion
and said it would soon pass away; and sure c
nough, have not seen it since left the house
1t was queer story; but Mrs. Culverton be
eved it, and before she left the Office, had hiret
Jessie to fill Johanna's place, for the space Of ont
month from thatday. That evening she came ant
went to work with will.
Dinner time passed comfortably and tea tim
came. The Culvertons never ate anything but
biscuit or cake at this meal, and cups were hande'
about in the sitting room. Jessie came in at tn
appointed hour with her tray, served every one
and then stood smiling before Mrs. Culverton, q
she said:
''Please, ma am, let me pass you, the old gen
tleman has not been helped. Yes, sir, in mir
ute
-old-gentlemanl" cried Mrs. CulVertor
eyes, ma'am-behind you in the corner, there
please"
''There's no gentleman, young or old, there,
said the lady, II can't imagine what you too
for one."
The girl made no answer, but turned quite whit
and left the room. Mrs. G. followed.
At first, she could extort no explanation, but b
and by the girl declared she saw an old gentlema
sitting in an arm chair in the corner who beckone
to her, and she fancied in hurry for his tea.
What did he look ike2" aked Mrs. Culverton
ssHe was thin and TALL, said the girl-'his hal
was white and very long, and l noticed that one
his knees looked stiff, and athick gold-headed can
beside hin"
"Uncle Hiram" cried Mrs. Culverton; "upo
NV word vou'ye described my great grand uncle