Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-10


u he only advice can give is, that You act on
re dictates OF your Own generous impulses; and
friend, leave me at least-your REAR. friend
ship's dearest legacy"
Mum, you have decided me. Twill at once
CT the matter OF my mind. | have only one
more favor 20 beg, and that Is that Won siIl
kihdly henor my poor cottage with your COM
Pany. and make tea Tor "a this evening, As
snall have the lawyer and his clerk there to exc
cate the document
Mrs. Banwell promised, and Mr. Chatfeld
withdrew.
When the widow arrived at Mr.. Chasfelds
she was shown into tn little front-room by the
housekeeper, who said her master would be
dowL stairs in a few minutes. The LAWYER had
not come; and when the housekeeper with
Grew, Mrs. Banwell was left quite alone in the
room. on rickety three-legged side-table,
she espied Mr.. Chathelds desk. 1t was not
quite shut, for there was s.ifiv folded parct-
ment, which not only prevented the desk shut
ting, but projected far enough TO show the ma
trre or the document. 1t was undoubtedly the
will, which had been sent to Mr.. Chatheld to
read over before executing il in the evening.
listening for a minute, to satisfy herself she
was safe from intrusion, Mrs. Banwell gently
slipped the parchment from the desk, and hur-
rledly SKINNED il through.
Don't old fellow" she murmured to herself
when she had done, che has left me everything
lie possesses. except the furnture-all his estate
real and personal, all his moneys and invest
ents in consols aud elsewhere; and, yes-also
bis share In the large ship X. G.-of which, /" it
says, "my executor has full and particular in
formation in a private letter ofeinstructions."
And the executor is MIR. Loney. Well, that is
good And what grateful old SOUL"
, ngirriediy replacing the document in the desk
the opposite side of the room, she awaited Mr.
Chatheld's advent.
There is nothing further to say about the tea
party, except that the lawyer and his clerk ar
rived in good time, and that after a course of
mullins and crumpets, the will was executed by
Mr.. Chatfeld and duly attested by the legal
gentlemen. IL was not read aloud; but from
certain obscure hints and illusions, the testator
gave Mrs. Banwell unmistaksbly to understand
what she had previously ascertained by her
own eyesight-namely; that che was the person
principally interested in his requests.
From that time, Mrs. Banwell became de-
voted to the old gentleman. She was to him as
daughter, as a niece, and as q grand-child.
and laid out herself and her money to please
him in every way.
The worse of him was, hewas so tough. The
butcher and the money-le nder were nothing to
Mr.. Chatfeld. He only see med to thrive and
TO grow younger and stronger for relnquishing
his frugal habits in favor of dining three times
week at Woodbury. Cottage. Yet Mrs. Ban
we'll dared not relax her attentions lest the old
man should alter his will. Three or four years
passed 30 lightly over Mr.. Chatfeld's head tn at
he seemed to have taken fresh lease Of life;
ana the widow began to fear he would outlive
However, one winters morning, without any
premonitory illness, the old man was found
but Of purely formal kind, for that he had
died OF natural causes WAS Is plain rs that his
life had been eked ont, for the past year or two,
very heavy blow to Mrs. Banwell-it was q
happy release to her rs we'll as 20 him. She
was getting tired of 1T; and her sigh at receiv-
ing the intelligence was one Of heartfelt relief.
Mr.. Loney came down to the funeral: and
when that was over, the will was read.
1t was all true. With the exception OF the
few sticks OF furniture, given to the house
keeper, Mrs. Banwell was bequeathed the
whole of the propertv-monevs. bonds, securi-
ties OF all sorts, and Mr.. Chatneld's share OF the
vessel. She was likewise left residuary legatee.
rate. Mrs. Banwell proceeded to Ask Mr..
Lcney Tor some particulars As to the property
In reply, Mr.. Loney stated, with q woful
contained in . letter addressed 10 him, and this
enclosed second note to Mrs. Banwell, which
note, be concluded would save him the pain of
explanation. The note to the widow ran thus:
MUN-"what are we here for in this world
but to minister to each others comforts" l
told you i was poor, yet you ministered to
mine. You are good woman. You have done
your duty. Duty is ITS own reward. l there
fore think that, on the whole, you invested your
money well. But il was q speculation, you
must admit and the security was not first
rate. can only show nv sense of your con-
duct by leaving you all | have in the world
That at least shows generosity of motive on my
part ana, III YOUR Kindness was really disinter
ested, you will take the W III for the deed. All
my moneys and securities everywhere don't
amount to sixpence. My profession (ship-
draughtsm1n and designer enabled me to save
Just enough to buy life annuity, which dies
with me. But am part-owner of vessel-a
ship OF large tonnage and great value-that
share can at least bequeath to you; and Mr..
Loney has my instructions to put you in pos
session thereof. Besides this, leave you (by
particular request) my Notwithstanding
dearest tribute, trusting Won will not think it
dearly bought. Yours truly,
W. CHATFIELD.
" To Mrs. BANwELI-"
Yes said Mr.. Loney, going in the mentel
shelf dear, yes. 1t is quite right about the
ship The late Mr.. Chatteld was part-owner
in a vessel of immense tonnage. And this is
his part
He placed in Mrs. BanweIl's hands q small
and neat wooden volume about four inches by
three, tastefully inscribed in gilt letters, g a
piece OF the Royal George"