The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1868-02-14

you observed with great justice, sir. Let
her abide the consequences --asyou very
properly remarked, Finch. Can't she
carry on the oil-man's business? dare
say IT will support her very we'll"
"Why no." said Mr.. Coliett; Briggs
died II bankrupt, and his widow aud
children are destitute"
"That does not alter the question:"
said Peter Finch. "Lpt Briggs family
10 something for her."
40 he sure" said Mr.. Collott.
briggs family are the people TO do
something tor her. she mustn't expect
anyth " from us-nu,t she John ~
"D 'stilutp, is she?n said John, with
chil leu, too! Why, that is another case
sir. You surely ought to notice her--to
assist her. Confound it, Pm for letting
her have a hundred year"
80, John, John! what breakdown"
said Mr.. Collect. $50 you are trying to
follow Peter Finch through Stony Ara
ba, and turned back at the second step!
John, John, keep to your Arabia Felix,
and leave sterner ways TO very different
men. Good-by, both of you. I'll think
over all you have said.'
lie pressed their hands and they left
the room. The old man was too weak
to speak, the next day, and in three
days afterw nd he calmly breathed his
las.
As soon as the funeral was over, the
will was read by the confidential man
Of business, VIII had attended to Mr..
Collects affairs. The group that sat
around him preserved Il decOrOus APP
pearance of disintercstcdne5s, and the
usual preamble in the will having been
listened to with breathless attention,
the man of business read the following:
bequeath to my niece, Emma Briggs.
Notwithstanding that She shocked her
family By marrying an Gilman, the
| sum of four thousand pounds, being fui'
ly persuaded that her lost dignity, il
she could find it again, would do moth
ing to provide her with food. or clothing
or shelter.
John Meade smiled, and Peter Finch
ground his tSeth-bnt in a quiet, re-
spectfdi manner.
The man of business went on with
his reading:
Having always held the opinion that
woman should he rendered q rational
and Independent bcing-and having du-
ly considered the fact that society prac-
tically Genies her the right Of earning
iier own living-l hereby bequeath to
N tor ha nf tan n
pounds, which will enable her to marry
or live single, n she may prefer.
John Meade gave Il prodigious star
on hearing this. Peter Finch grOunC
his teeth again--but in manner hardl,
, respectable. Both, however, by a vio
.ent effort kept silent.
The man of business went on with hi
, reading:
have paid some attention to tn
character Of my nephew, John Meade
=, aud have been grieved to find him p0|
: s,.ssed with a feeling Of philanthroph.
: aud with general preference tor the jul
I and true over whatever is base an
: ,alsc. As these tendencies are by n
:, means such a. can advance him in tn
world, bequelth him the sum of te
! <rtp out OF IN" work. house, and be ct
. tbied to pant his great historical pi'
, are. which, Il, set, h" h only talke
bout.
As iur my other nephew, Peter finct
sc vitWS All things in - ~aguclOu5 an
- srAi>na way, and ~ 20 certain to 20
~ il; life, that should only insult hil
, by offering an aid which he does not r.
: ,uirc, yet from his aiirctionatc unc
nd entirely as II testimony of admire
= ion for his mental ucutencss, | ventul
/, 90 hope that he will accept II bcquest t
i've hundred pounds towards the con
pictiOn Of hi, extensive library of la
books.
How Peter Finch stormed and calle
{ namcs-how John Meade broke into
7 dclirium OF jpy--how Mary Sutton cr-
first and then laughed, and then erie
and laughed together, all these ma
tors shall not attempt TO dcscrih
| Mary Sutton !, now Mrs. John Mead
:. and her hu nd has actually begun Il
r great historical picture. Peter Fine
has taken to di,counting bills, al
j. bringing action on them, and driv
: about in his brougham already.