Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-09-22
SELECTED STORY
~.
HENRY GLADWIN'S WILL.
By ARTHUR E. cLEssoN

3 a--aN- 49, 40 s--S-
I The last sad rites had been paid to the
remains Of Henry Gladwin, und the friends
interested gathered in the library Of the old
family mansion, month later, to hear the
contents of bis last will and testament
The principal mourners were Edwin
Gladwin and bis daughter, Evangeline, and
the natural supposition was that to them
the brother and niece of the deceased-
would fall the larger Of the vast property
Such had been the expectation Of all and
when the seal was broken, and the docu-
ment found to contain bequest Of only one
thousand dollars each for, Mr.. Gladwin and
his daughter, every one appeared astonished,
and looked toward his neighbor as if for an
explanation Of the mystery. r. +. ~ ~
No one was made wiser by the movement,
for the facts were plainly before them, to the
effect that, on the brink of eternity, with a
long life. not in all respects satisfactory us
he looked back upon it, Henry Gladwin had
bequeathed his valuable property to sever
al well known charitable institutions, giving
few small small presents to his kindred
and the two requests mentioned
1t seemed very strange, but there were
the facts, in legal form, and Lawyer Sharp
read it. in distinct. rapid voice, SO that it
was impossible to mistake its report =.
True, he had left Mr.. Gladwin without a
home to shelter him and. as he wac Grip.
pie, the disappointment was keenly felt. He
had shared the good fortune of his brother
for several years--indeed. even since the
stroke Of affection which took from him a
devoted wife. and left to his care little
daughter ten years Of age. ~
That brother had ever displayed toward
him the utmost kindness and cons. Iteration
What could be the meaning Of this mos,
sinful will !? 5lasqs 81, lga
Another strange feature was that LAWYER
Sharpe was, by the will. appointed execu
tor and administrator ~
When the father and daughter were lef
alone together that evening. the old gentle
man, bowed down by grief and sense o
utter helplessness, said: -. b. 81 II eal
Five. my darling, do you understand
brother Henry's will, and that we are With
out q home to shelter us. and with almost
nothing to provide for our actual necessi
ties 2" az 6ra !i5l45 sws f-.44a j
eyes, father" replied the young lady
with as cheerful tone as she could com
mand. while she took one of his handle and
kissed his careworn brow, II understood
the import Of the will, but you make very
sombre picture Of the future. True, it viii
be hard TO give up our. old home, and leave
scenes around which so many pleasant associ
atoms cluster. Still we are not destitute
We have the two thousand dollars. which
will purchase a little cottage. and We hav,
furniture enough Of our own to make il very
comfortable. | have good health and
thanks to your efforts in my behalf, gooe
education $50 have no fears, for cal east
ly earn enough to supply our wants. and i
| will be pleasure to feel that [ can be o
some use to yon," sd -v-r e,e.a.s 1
you are q blessed child" said the oil
! gentlemen, as be stopped to kiss the ros,
cheek so near his own "but you have had
as yet, only rose-tinted view Of this coli
4 world" Sc le 9giriT 3-~,4EA} ~ s'.4b
/ -"Oh, I'm not child. father you forge
| that Pm almost eighteen ~ al4
| so you are.- dear--so you are; and ye
it seems but short time since | took yol
on my knee to see pictures, Well, well, "
will not discuss this unpleasant subject furth
er tonight. Let me hear you play and SIM
little now ez2aie S'i'1 5sl ~ a1'1'. :.
I Eve obeyed, and soon her fair finger
were sweeping over the ivory keys Of th
4 piano, while her sweet, melodious voic
echoed through the Old mansion with som
of those peculiarly sweet old Scotch airs, q
which s.Robin Adair" was Mr.. Gladwin'
favorite ~ .-rl5. -.1s -7rgqi
"By Jove, she sings like q nightingale !!
3 said Mr.. Sharpe to himself, as he steppe
out from beneath the window where he ha
been listening, and passed down the street
1T is pity she must leave this fine cage
though" he continued, with shrug Of hi
shoulder and a quiet chuckle.1o .;Perhap
she won't be compelled 10 leave il, after all
We shall see 10 good time.n qods 1si 90 80
A few days after the reading Of. his bsott
er's will. Mr.. Gladwin called Eva into tb
/ library and . smile was now on the face o
which, Of late, she had seen nothing bu
! marks and wrinkles Of care. @
.sDear father, y said Eva, II am hspp
to see smile upon your couutenance.
really brings t. mind the happy days Of II
past r. : N''"a 80 :, : -
II have cause to smile at the good fol
tune in store for us, and cause to Be prou