Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-01-09
The Lost Will.


The Lost Will,
The scenes / am about to describe
occurred about the year lS40 to a
respectable family by the name Of
Culverton, in Orange county, Ny.
The Culverton's had lived in the
old family mansion 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 in.
dividual who laid claim to the prop
erty, and seemed likely to prove his
claim to all but the Culyerton's
themselves.
1t was certain, Jabez Hardy was
the nearest relative, and certain that
Mrs. Culverton was only a grand
niece of Hiram Hardy, deceased, but
the Culverton's had lived with the
old man for years, and he had prom
ised, time and again. to leave them
everything. He had even declared
that his will was made in their favor
and that such document was actual
ly in existence. MIR. Culverton
could not doubt; but dilIigent search
had been made in vain, and 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
st was shame" said every one.
"A cruel wicked thipg!' sebbed
Mrs Culyerton.
Ard Mr.. Cnlverton, who had never
expected reverse, was quite crush
ed as the pending lawsuit progress
ed. ..
A thousand times day he SAID:
'How providential it would be if
Uncle Hiram's will would turn up at
this moment
Honuer now he can reet, poor
man, with such injustice 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 matters
were in this condition, one so deeply
interested in the subject as Mrs. Cul
verton necessarily was, should dream
of anything else; but dream she did.
night after night, of an entirely diff
ferent subject
Inevitably, for q 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 statue, with Scotch
features, and singular blue eyes wide
apart and staring, who desired the
situation of cook
At frst she did not like the girl
but in every dream she found her
aversion vanish.
After few minutes conversation,
and invariably, it had began to melt
when the girl looked at her and said:
I'D like to hire with you ma'am.'
1t was always the same Official
ways the same glrl-always the same
words were uttered-until Mrs. Cul-
verton began to think there must be
something in the dream.
Though it can't come true, said
she, 'for while Johannah remains
here l shall never hire another cook.
And just as she said this there was
scream in the kitchen; and the lit
tie errand girl ran in frightened out
OF her senses, to tell how Johannah,
lifting the wash boiler, had fallen
with it and scalded herself.
Mrs. Culverton followed the young
girl into the kitchen, and found Jo-
hannah in a wre:ched condition; and
the doctor being sent for, she was
putto bed and declared useless for
her domestic duties for at least
month to come. A temporary sub
stitute mnst be had, and Mrs. Culver
ton that very afternoon went to New
York to find one at the intelligence
office.
Strange to say in the hustle she
had forgotten her dream, until she
suddenly stood face to face with the
very girl she had seen. a small
young woman, with very singular
blue eyes In white face, and whose
features betrayed Scottish origin
She had risen--this girl-from o
seat in the office, and stood before
her twisting her apron strings and
courtesying.
I'D like to hire with you ma am,
she said.
The very words of the dream,
also-Mrs. Culverton started, and in
her confusion could only say:
|. 'Why?
The girl blushed.
4 don't know she said, 'oniy il
seems to me, I'd like to live with
YOU
1t seemed a fatal thing to Mrs.
Culverton, but she put the usual
questions and received the most
satisfactory answers, except as te
references.
But can't employ you without .
reference said Mrs. c., knowing
that Fate had decreed that this CIR
should take place.in her kitchen.
'Ifyou can't, / must outswithi 1t,