The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-02-19
MY LEGACY.

Aunt f1arrlcts WILL had been read that day.
In the evening, I sat modify in my snuggery,
With my share of her estate perched in mimic
grandeur on the table at my elbow.
Aunt Harriet had been rich but not 30 rich as
We thought Eccentric and stingy people always
get credit for three or four times as much wealth
- they possess. Still, the property was very
lair one, If it had only come to ne. l was nam.
cd one Of the executors, with the request that I
should continue to live in the old house until the
settlement of the estate was completed. That
privilege was my legacy; that, and that little
bronze lion. Maggie Sawyer's mother was To
have the house and furniture; and as they We're
already in 1t, there would be no change at once
Aunt Harriet had no very near relations except
myself; and yet though everybody expected that
the property would come to me- there had been
quite gathering at the opening of the will.
stood the disappointment very handsomely,
/ think and when that leathery old spinster,
Cousin Charlotte, suggested that "Robsrt will
never have any use for that thing; think will
take it myself just to remember Aunt Harriet,
replied somewhat tartly:
NO. indeed, she gave it to me because she ex-
pected me to keep it. shall take care of Leo
tor her sake. Wherever so, he shall CO."
"Cousin Robert said pretty Maggie Sawyer,
eli you ever do give it away, I ain going to
speak for it myself"
81 spoke first snapped out consin Charlotte
!had always liked Maggie, and had made her
my confidant about Lucinda and smiled in
her sweet face as answered, 1T shall be yours
Maggie, il ever do part withit."
This was not likely, however and only said
80 to spite Charlotte. had reason to feel spite
tul. Not that l had become altogether mercen.
airy in my love for my aunt; but / had precious
little property OF my own, and | counted Oh that
WILL. had even told Lucinda SO ; and the dear
glri had reproved me right sharply, as she ought
10 nave done 80 | sat there, glowing at the fire.
and wondering what earthly assistance in house
keeping should ever get from nv wonderful
legacy.
NY late acquisition became almost an eye.sore,
es::trom time to time L turned and gaxed at him
All that Keeps lion from being ridiculous is
his size and tLiS specimen was decidedly lack
ing III that particular. He was only about eight
inches high, and long in proportion, according to
the ideas OF proportion INDUCED in by the al lists
In such things. A very clumsy paper weight
and very absurd lion.
He had very disproportonate amount of
name and such fierce tuft on his tail to bal
ance it, while his mouth yawned as if he could
swallow anything less than twice his size. His
aspect, as he faced me that evening, was peculi-
arly grim and forbidding Small as he WAS, he
seemed TO stand hopeles.ly between me and Luz
einda
Sast then the door opened, and the light feet
OF Maggie Sawyer came rusting over the carpet
till she stood beside me-
cousin Robert ] am SO sorry You really
have a right to feel disappointed What will YOU
and Lucinda do;"
well, Maggie, if Lucinda will wal, as braves
~ as Will, it won't be 50 bad. =" sid l.
"She will, know she will"
"And if she won't, suppose Won will leava :,
corner vt the house to me and Leo for awhile
Poor little Leo how often have seen him SIAN.
ing on Aunt Harriet's table, with his aomical
mouth crammed full of letters and papers"
II can make him useful in the sam. WAY us
Will certainly have all he can eat
We tried hard to laugh the matter off INIT Il,
WASH very good fun just then.
Al the earliest proper bour next dav. | made
preparations to 20 and see Lucinda ] wanted ,o
be the first to tell her the news. Leo seemed 10
watch me with broad sardonic rrin, Will,
was dressing. ] was half inclined to take him
with me. If he could only have walked. he
should have gone.
Old Munson was there when went in. and h,
condoled with me in the mos. orthodox and r..
spectacle manner over my late sad bereavement
knew what he was coming TO next, and WA.
quite ready for him.
"iour aunt LETT very handsome property
did she notY'
''Oh, yes, she left it ALL" said T.
"Hum All. :" said the old gentleman, "Oi
course she left it. Your share Of the estate mus,
be handsome onei'