The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-02-25
Aisrellanp.
HENRY FIELDS LEGACY.
BY CAROLINE +. PRESTON.


plate and put butter in your tea J!
Such was the remark made by Mrs. Hepsibah
Walker to her u hter Lucy, the time being at
breakfast. Lucy looked up in oonfnsion, and
said
81 was thinking, mother"
Thinking! Well, if you was thinking how
did you h open to do it 7"
II mean l was thinking of something else.'
"And should like TO know what that some
thing is 1t must have been something more
than common, or you wouldn't have acted so.
never heard Of such thing"
The truth is, mother" said Lucy, with rosy
flush on her pretty features, I've had an offer"
ia me, child, AN offer ~ exclaimed the widow
Walker. Tor such WAS her situation.) "Who
was it? Tell me quick"
at was Henry Field" said Lncy, in low
tone, giving side < ,nce at her mothers face,
to see how she received it.
The tact Was, that the young man was by no
means Indifferent to Lucy, aud she had about
made up her mind to accept him; consequently
she was little anxious to see how her mother
appeared.
ment II Was in hopes it was Alfred jones'"
"Alred Jones is sawky, disagreeable fell
low, and l can't bear him." said Lucy, warmly.
"He's worth four times as much as Henry
Field, Lucy" said her mother, reprovingly.
.'The farm his father left is worth a. much as
eight thousand dollars, and he's got enough
money besides to make it up t, ten. 20 faint
best to fly out ag'in' him so much"
Il don't Gaze how much he is worth, mother"
said Lucy. precious little good it will do his
wife, if he ever gets one. They say he ia as
tight es-well, 1 don't know what; and he
don't dress hardly decent"
well, / can't give my consent to your mar
rying Henry Field" said Mrs. Walker.
What is your objection to him, motherS
Isn't he steady"
"Well, yes, so far as knows on" admitted
the widow.
"And handsome, aad pleasant, and good ?"
urged Lucy, rapidly
r always said that my darter should marry
rich, said the mother, obstinately; and Henry
Field hiin't got nothing but the little cottage
be lives in and the garden belonging to it."
He has good trade, mother, and can sup
port wife as well as l care to be supported
"Massy s4kes, chila, haint you got no ambi-
ton :" asked the mother. II want you to live
little cottage"
isn't it better to have good husband and
small house than large house and husband
You hate than poison y
ut amt no talking, Lucy. like Henry
Field well enough. He means well, but he
won't never be rich and when you get married
I want you to have pianner and black stuffed
l.
hear. your being genteel, Lucy, and want
you to regulate your marriage accordingly
suppose the reader by this time can Judge as
well of Mrs Walkers character as l Can. She
was very good sort of woman, but not very
strong-minded. She had weakness in favor OF
gentility and show, and wanted her daughter to
elevate the family by marriage which would
place her at the head OF large establishment
Lucy vary little like her mother. She bore
S+r Moor Va 10 hor fafh ,ho bad
been plain, straightforward man, and whose
own good sense had kept his wife in check
Lucy was now placed IN quandary. She did
not like to disobey her mother, wrong she
thought her to be; nor, on the other hand, did
she feel willing to give up Henry Field, who,
she WAS sure, loved her truly, aud whom she
was warmly attached to. The mental contrast
between him and Alfred Jones, young man of
narrow mind, and with a reputation for stingi.
ness, aud uho, besides, was far from handsome,
land this bad sonae weight with Lucy,j-I say
this comparison only inclined her the more
strongly favor OF Henry Field. Her mothers
disapproval however perplexed her not little,
and she went out TO walk, pretty sure Of NEE ting
on the way with Henry, with whom she wished
to consult.
1t was no. long before she really me. her
lover, who, "a matter of course, was anxious
to learn how bis suit prospered.
Lucy, in reply, mentioned her mothers ebiec-
lions, and the grounds which she alleged-viz.,
that be was not so rich az Alfred Jones
Il don't know but have prospect Of becom.
Ing so" said the young man, smiling. Il have
had legacy since | saw you last
Indeed y said Lucy, eagerly. "Wbat is it ?"
'lt is a Newfoundland dog, that belonged TO
my Aunt Rachel. She bequeathed it to me. TO.
gether with fund OF hundred dollars the in.
tcre~t Of which is to be devoted to the dogs
maintenance"
us the dog a large 7" asked Lucy.
eyes,
Then it may be called large legacy"
Yes, suppose so-though it will not proba.
bly, make me much richer"
Never mind, Henry" said Lucy, her eyes
sparkling with merriment do Just as tell
you ana that legacy may induce my mother to
give her consent to our marriage"
How DO you mean 7" inquired Henry look.
ln- 81 little puzzled.
"Inis Is what mean: In the first place, you
are not to mention what this legacy is 10 anv
one you can merely say that you have had one.
Will go night on to Nancy Sparks, and tell her
about IT, and you may rest assured i. will he all
over the town in short time. Among the rest
II VIII get TO my mothers cars, and if she do,',
near what the legacy il, she will look fayorably
0Qon our suit"
O'Pth' exclaimed the young man. laugh.
,Ns never expected TO be so grateful tor the
1eg'cy as Shall be, if this plan is successful"
IA pursuance Of her plan, Lucy at once pro-
ceeded to favor Miss Nancy with a call Th,.
nay welcomed her with great demonstrations ..
delight declaring that she was great s,ran,ar
by the way, Miss Sparks" said Lucy, aft r a
"alie, u suppose yen have heard the nevs,,
NeWS, GOOD gracious, mo-" said the spin.