The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-04-03
Misfeltaneous.
THE LOST WILL,

THE LOST WILL.
THE scenes am about TO describe oc-
cured about the year 1860, in respec-
table family by the name of Culvcrton.
in Orange County, New York.
The Culvertons had lived in the old
family mansion and enjoyed the reve-
nues 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 Culverions
themselves.
1t was certain .Jabcz Hardy was the
nearest relative, and certain that Mrs.
Culrerton was only grand-niece of
Hiram Hardy, deceased; but the Cul-
vertons 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 q
document was actually in existence,
MIR. CulvertOn could not doubt; but
diligent search had been made in vain,
and Jabez Hardy, whom the old man
never saw, was to take the place of peo-
pie he loved so fondly, and who had
been his comfort in his last hours.
at was shamc!" said every one.
"A cruel wicked thing!" sobbed Mrs.
Culverton.
And Mr.. Culverton, who had ne yer
expected reverse, was quite crushed
as the pending law suit progressed.
y thousand times day he said,
"llow prOvidential ii would be if un-
Gle llram's will would turn up at"this
moment"
81 wonder how he rests, poor man,
with such injustice going on"
But no matter what they say, or how
they managed, no will was found, and
Jabez rubbed his hands in triumph.
1t was strange that while matters
were in this condition one 50 deeply in
tcrcsted 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 star
ing, who desired the situation of cook.
At first she did not like the girl, but
in every dream she found her aversion
vanish.
After few moments conversation,
and invariably, ii had began to melt,
when the girl looked at her and said;
/ "l'd like to hire with you ma'am."
I 1t was always the same otlice--al-
| ways the same words wereuttered--u
! Ill Mrs. Culverton began TO think there
must be something in the dream.
Though it can't come true" she
said, "for while Johanna remains here
| shall never hire another COOK"
And just as she said this there was Il
scream in the kitchen, ahd the little en-
rand girl ran in, frightened out Of her
senses, to tell how Johanna, lifting the
wash boiler, had fallen with it and seal
dcd herself.
Mrs. Culverton followed the young
girl in to the kitchen, and found Johan-
na In a wretched condition and the
doctor being sent for, she was put to
bed and declared useless for her
domestic capacity, 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 intelligence office.
Strange to say in the hustle she had
quite forgotten her dream, until she
suddenly stood face to face with the
very girl she had seen in it. a small
young woman with very singularly blue
eyes in white face, and whose features
betrayed Scottish origin. She had risen
this girl--from seat in the Office, and
stood before her twisting her, apron
strings and courtseying.
'I'd like to hire with you, ma'am, y
she said.
The very words OF the dream, also.--
Mrs, Culverton started, and in her con.
fusion could only say: "Why? ?"
The girl blushed,
81 don't know" she said, "only II
seems to me I'd like 10 live with
YOU"
II seemed fatal thing to Mrs. Cul
verton, but she put the usual questions
and received the most satisfactory an
swcrs, except as to references.
"But can't employ you without refer
ence,n said Mrs. c., knowing that fat,
had decreed that this girl should take ,
place in her kitchen.
"Ifyou can't must out with it, sal,
the girl. "rhere's my lady's name
| maiam She will tell Won | am homes