Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-25
THE LOST WILL.

"
without the slightest doubt that they had
a right to il, when suddenly there started
up-from goodness knows where--an in
dividual who laid claim to the property,
and seemed likely to prove his claim to
all but the Culvertons themselves.
II was certain Jabez Hardy was the
nearest relative, and certain that Mrs.
Culyerton was only grand niece OF
Hiram Hardy, deceased but the Culver
tons had lived with the old man for years,
and he had promised, time and again, to
leave them everything He had even
declared that his will was made in their
favor, and that such document was ac-
tually in existence. Mr.. Culverton could
not doubt; but diligent search had been
made in vain, aud Jabez Hardy, whom
the old man never saw, was TO take the
place Of people he loved so fondly, and
who had been his comfort in his last
hours.
at was shameI' said every one
"a cruel, wicked thing" sobbed Mrs.
Culverton.
And Mr.. Culverton, who had never ex-
pected reverse, was quite crushed as
the pending lawsuit progressed.
A thousand times day he said How
providential it would be If Uncle Hiram's
will would turn up at this moment "
81 wonder how he can rest, poor man,
with such justice going on"
But no matter what they said, or how
they managed, no will was found and
Jabez rubbed his hands in triumph.
1t was strange that, while laatters were
in this condition, enc SO deeply inter-
ested 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 a week at least, she had
no sooner closed her eyes than she found
herself in an intelligence Office, full of
employees of all ages and nations, and
face to face with girl of small stature,
with white Scotch features, and singular
blue eyes, wide apart and staring, who
desired the situation of cook.
At first she did not like the girl, but
in every dream she found her aversion
vanish.
After a few moments conversation,
and invariably it had began to melt,
when the girl looked at her and said:
"Td like to hire with you, ma'am
1t was always the same ofice-always
the same girl-always the same words
were uttered-until Mrs. Culverton began
to think there must be something in the
dream.
Though it can't come true" said
she, for while Johanna remains here l
shall have no other cook,
And Just as she said this there was a
scream in the kitchen, and the little
errand girl ran in, frightened out of her
senses, to tell how Johanna, lifting the
wash boiler, and falling with it, had
scalded herself.
Mrs. Culverton followed the young
girl into the kitchen, and found j ohanna
ia wretched condition; and the doctor
being sent for, she was put to bed and
declared useless for her domestic capa-
city for at least month to come. A
temporary substitute must be had, and
Mrs. Culverton that very afternoon went
to New York to find one at the intelli-
gence office.
Strange to say, in the hustle she had
quite forgotten her dream, until she sud
denly 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
from a seat in the office, and stood
before her, twisting her apron strings
and curtesying.
I'D like to hire with you, ma am,
said the girl.
The very words of the dream, also.
Mrs. Culverton started, and in her con-
fusion could only say:
"Why
The girl blushed.
II don't know" she said "only it
seems to me I'd like to live with you.
1t seemed a fatal thing to Mrs. Culver.
ton, but she put the usual questions and
received the most satisfactory answers,
except as to reference.
But ! can't employ you without a
reference" said Mrs. c., knowing that
Fate had decreed that this girl should
take a place in her kitchen. >,
"If you can't, / must out with it, "
said the girl. "There's my lady's name,
ma am. She will tell you I'm honest and
capable; but she turned me off for
frightening the family"
"How p asked Mrs. Culverton.
Seeing ghosts" replied the gil.
EVERY day saw little child in hite
playing about the house; and all said
there was no such child there, though
there had been one once, but he was
dead. Mistress said | pretended to see
it for the sake of impertineuce, and she
discharged mel but l knew by her
trembling that she thought / had seen a
ghost. went to doctor, and he called
it optical delusion, and it would soon
pass away; and sure enough, | have not
S en- it since | left the house"
It was queer story; but Mrs. Culver
ton believed it, and before she left the
office, had hired Jessie 10 fill Johanna S
place, for the space Of one month from
that day. That evening she came, and
went 20 wSrk with will.
Dinner time passed comfortably and
tea time came. The Culvertons never
ate anything but biscuit or cake at this
meal, and cups were handed about in the
sitting room. Jessie came in at the ap-
pointed hour with her tray, served every
one, and then stood smiling before Mrs
Culverton as she said:
"Please, ma'am, let me pass you, the
old gentleman has not been helped.
Yes, sir, in a minute
"Tbe-old-gentlemanl" !" cried Mrs.
Gu vertOn.
ayes, na'am-behind you in the
corner, there, please.
There's no gentleman, young or old,
there" said the lady. cant imagine
what you took for one"
The girl made no answer, bat turned
quite white and left the ROOM Mrs c.
followed.