The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-09-07

up hastily, dressed and went down, and
they were too busy talking to notice
that she did not know what she was do
ing. But, by-and-by, when her brother
reached for more coffee, and observed,
"John Burrows and his mother went to
New York in the first train this morn
ing" she tried to rise unconcernedly
from the table, and fell in dead faint
upon the carpet among them.
When Nelly came to, she was undress-
ed and in bed, and Aunt Mary was
darning stockings at the foot.
"Oh, let me get up, Aunt Mary; 1
don't want to lie here"
"Now, Nelly, be reasonable. You're
inp
"Oh, Aunt Mary, I'm not"
"Nelly, if you will lie still to-day, I'll
in my room to look over. viii your"
IL don't know"
Aunt Mary went for them. Nelly
shut her eyes, and let the wave in all its
bitterness surge over her once; then
Miss Golding came back, bringing box
of old mahogany, black and glossy with
time.
"There l'-setting it on the bed.
With wintry little smile of thanks,
Nelly lifted the cover. The old mahog-
any box contained strange things. Pic
lures on wood and ivory, illuminated
manuscripts webs of strange lace, an
tique ornaments, ancient embroideries,
great packages of old letters, sealed
TASKS of unfamiliar perfume, ancient
brooches of red gold, finger-rings of
clumsily set gems tied together with
| faded ribbons, knot of hair fastened
with gold heart, the silver hilt of
sword, and, lastly, q tiny octagon por-
| trait of an old man done in chalks upon
kind of vellum, and inclosed in frame
of tarnished brass.
"Who is this that is so ugly, Aunt
Mary?"
"fhat, they say, is my great-great-
grandfather, Nelly"
"What is it painted on-this queer
stuff"
"Well, it's kind of leather, believe.
They used to write on in very ancient
times"
"Hes uncommonly ugly, isn't he p
| said Nelly, YEARLY.
AS she spoke, the little case fell apart
in her hands. A yellow, folded paper
was revealed. She opened it, and saw
that it was written upon.
"Why, bless my soul, what have you
there? I" exclaimed Miss Golding, rising
| up in strange alarm.
She snatched it from Nelly's hand.
1t can't be the will !' she cried.
Nelly looked on in dumb surprise.
Aunt Mary read few words, then rush
ed away in wild agitation to the library
where her brother was sitting. Nelly
could hear them talking, the two; then
| her brother came; then the old house
keeper was called from the dining-room,
and so much confused conversation she
never heard before. By-and-by they all
waited upon her in body.
"Nelly," said her father, sitting down
on the foot of the bed, "You are an
heiress."
"This is Grandfather Golding's WILL"
exclaimed Aunt Mary, hourishing the
bit of paper.
"It seems that he was very eccentric"
Gregory condescended to explain. "He
was very rich, and had some hard sons,
and some grandsons who promised to be
harder, and he fell out with the whole
set, who were waiting for him to die.
He declared that no money of his should
encourage the young peoples excesses
| q little poverty would help the family,
and the fourth generation would appre-
ciate his money, and probably make
good use OF it. When he died, no will
could be found and though there was
famous struggle for the property, it
went into the hands of trustees through
| oF ha 1ox yho ho1 6rou
up the will and there it has been, des-
cending from one person to another, and
accumulating in value, until you and /,
Nelly, are as rich as Cr9sus."
"How, Gregory
"Ain't we the fourth generation?
Father was an only child, we are his only
children all the back folks are dead,
and it slides down to us on CREASED wires.
Hurrah for Grandfather Golding!"
"Is this true, father"
"Yes, my dear. The property is chiefly
in Leeds, England. The housekeeper
who came over last summer, you know,
happens to know about it. It's in safe
hands, and our claim is indisputable."
What did Nelly do? The little goose !
Instead of flying off in thoughts OF a car
riage, and dresses of cloth Of gold, and
trip to Europe, she buried her face in
the pillows, and murmured under her
breath, "Oh! John. Oh, dear, dear
John n~
And it was no castle in the air. Three
months proved that she was the mistress
of gold untold, almost. And then lit
tie note went to Kansas, saying:
"DEAR JOHN I am waiting for you
with fortune. Will you come for me
now? NELLY"
And he came instantly; and though
some might have sneered at his readi-
ness, the heart of his little wife was al
ways at peace. She knew that John
Burrows loved her truly. Grandfather
Golding's money built up a commodious
Western town-paved streets, raised
rows of shops, erected dwelling
founded banks, libraries and churches |;
and Nelly finally lived out West. But
she had opportunities of seeing pioneer
life and she said, John was right; l
should have died in a year, had lived
here in poverty"
A Diamond Lost and Found.