Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-02-12
THE LOST WILL.

The scenes am about to de-.ribe occur
red about the year 1860, to a respectable
family by the name of CuiTerton, In Orange
county, New York.
The CuIvertons had lived in the old fami-
ly mansion and enjoyed the revenues of the
family estate for many years, without the
slightest doubt that they had right to 1t,
when suddenly there started up, from good
ness knows where, an individual who laid
Claim on the property, aud seemed likely TO
prove his claim to all but the Culvcrtous
themselves.
L: was certain, Jabez Hardy was the near
est relative, and certain that Mrs. Culver
ton was only grand niece of Hiram Hardy.
deceased; but the Culvertons had lived
with ;he old man for years, and he had
promised, time and again to leave them ev-
trything He had even declared that his
will was made in their favor; and that such
document was actually in existence, Mr..
Culyerton could not doubt; but diligent
search had been made i'll vain, and jabez
Hardy, whom the old man never saw, was
70 take the place of people he loved so fond
ly. and w.i6 had been his comfort in his last
hours.
1T was shane!" said every one
"A c uel wicked thing g'' sobbed Mrs.
Culverton.
and Sir. Culverton, who had never ex-
pected u reverse, was quite crushed as the
pending lawsuit progressed.
4 thousand times day he said.
''How providential it would be if uncle
Hiran's will would tuin up at this mo
ment.
Il wonder how he rests, poor man, with
such injustice going on.
But no matter what they said, or how they
managed no will WAS found, and abez rub
led his bands in triumph.
1t was strange that while matters were in
this cou1ItiJn one so deeply interested as
Mrs Culvertcn necessarily was, should dream
OF anyt hing else; but dream she did, night
after night of an entirely different subject.
Inevitably, for week a, least, she had
no sooner closed her eyes than she found
herself in an intelligence office, full OF em-
piOyees of all ages and nations, and face 10
face with girl of small stature, with white
Scotch features, and singular blue eyes, wide
apart aud stan ing, who desired the situation
Of cook
At first she did not like the girl but in ev
cry dre am she found her aversion vanish.
After few moment s conversation, and
invariably, it had began 10 melt, when the
girl looked at her aud said:
i d ike to hire with you ma am.
1t was alwa Us the same offce-always the
SAME woras were uttered-until Mrs. Gull
yerton began to think there must be some
thing in the dream.
Though it can't come true, she said,
Tor while Johannah remains here L shall
never hire another cook.
And Just as she said this there was
scream IN the kitchen, and the little errand
glrl ran in, frightened out OF her senses, to
Tell how Johanna, lifting the wash boiler,
had fallen with it and SCI lied herself.
Mrs. Culverton followed the young girl IN
to the kitchen, and found johanna In
wretched condition and tie 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. Cnlverton, that very
afternoon, went to New York to find one at
me Intelligence Office.
Straage to say, in the hustle she had
quite forgotten her dream, until she sud,
denly stood face to face with the very glri
she had seen in it. A small young woman
with very singular blue eyes in white face,
ana whose features betrayed Scottish origin.
enc had risen-this girl--from seat in the
vince, and stood before her twisting her "a
pF9n strings and courtseying.
u like to hire with you, ma am, she
The very words of the dream, also Mrs.