South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-10-27
Henry Gladwin's Will.
By ARTHUR z. GLEASON.

hear the contents of his last will and tesla
ment.
The principal mourners were Edwin
Giadwin and his daughter, Evangeline, and
tue 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
document found to contain n beaues, of
only one thousand dollars each for Mr.
Gladwin and his daughter, every one ap-
peared astonished, and looked toward his.
neighbor as if fer an explanation of the
mystery.
No one was made wiser by the move
ment, for the facts were plainly before
them, to the effect that, on the brink of e.
ternity, with long life, not in all respects
satisfactory as he looked back upon it.
Henry Gladwin had bequcathcd his valua-
bic property to several well-known chart
table institutions, giving few small pres
ents to his kindred, and the two requests
mentioned.
+. 1t seemed very strange, but there were
the facts, IN legal form, and lawyer Sharp
read 1t, In distinct, rapid voice, so that it
was impossible to mistake its report.
True, he had left Mr.. Gladwin without
home to shelter him; and as he was
cripple, the disappointment was keenly
felt. He had shared the good fortune Of
his brother for several years-indeed. even
since the stroke of afliction which took
/ from him a devoted wife, and left to his
care little daughter ten years of age
/ That brother had ever displayed to-
Z 81, l..
! Grafton
/ What could be the meaning of this most
sinful will
/ Another strange feature was that Lawyer
Sharpe was, by tie will, appointed execu-
tor and administrator.
When the father and daughter were left
alone together that evening, tue old gentle
man, bowed down by grief and a sense of
utter helplessness, said:
Eva, my darling, do you understand
brother Heury's will, and that we are with
out home to shelter us, and with almost
nothing to provide for our actual necess
ties p
Yes, father, replied the young lady,
with as cheerful tone as she could COM
mand, while she took one of his hands and
kissed his careworn brow, Il understood
the import of the will, but you make very
sombre picture Of the future True, it will
be hard to give up our old home aud leave
scenes around which so many pleasant asso-
Citations cluster. Still we are not destitute.
We have the two thousand dollars, which
will purchase little cottage, and we have
furniture enough Of our own to make it
very comfortable. ! have good health,
and, thanks to your efforts in my behalf,
good education so have no fears, for can
easily earn enough to supply our wants,
aud 1t will be pleasure to feel that can
be of some use TO you
You are blessed child, said tho old
gentleman, as no stopped to kiss the rosy
cheek so near his own; but you have had
as yet, only rose-tinted view of this cold
world.
ooh, I'm not child, father you forget
that I'm almost eighteen
80 you are, dear-so you are and vet
II seems but short time since took YOU
on my knee to see pictures Well, we'll,
we will not discuss this unpleasant subject
further tonight. Let mo hear YOU play
and sing n little now
Eva obeyed, and soon her fair fingers
were sweeping over the ivory keys Of the
piano, while her sweet, mclodious voice
echoed through the old mansion with some
Of those peculiarly sweet old Scotch airs.
Of which Robin Adair' was Mr.. Gladwin's
fayorite.
by joye, she sings like a nightingale"
said MIR. Sharpe to himself, as he stepped
out from beneath the window where be bad
been listening, aud passed down the street
1T Is pity she must leave this fine cage.
though, he continued with a shrug of bis
shoulder aud quiet chucble, Perhaps
she won be compelled 20 leave 10 after alI
We shall see in good time
a few days after tho reading Of bis broth
ers will, Mr.. GladWin called Eva into the
library and a smile was now on tho face ON
which, Of late, she had seen nothing but
marks and wrinkles Of care
Dear father, said Eva, Il am happy 10
see a smile upon your counteuauco. tire.
ally brings to mind the happy days Of the
past
i have cause 10 smile at the good for
tune IN store for as, and cause 20 be proud
OF my dear daughter; for il il your beauty
and goodness that may again restore ne
to our position with friends aud acquaiDt.
ances
4 don'I understand you, father
NO, presume not but I will explain.
Mr.. Jasper Sharpe, who is wealthy, aud
has an honorable position 10 society, called
on me yesterday, and after expressing sym.
pa'hy for the condition ia which We are
placed by circumstances, be asked permits.
sion TO visit us, With a view Of making
you his wife. Only think Of it, Eva, the
wife Of tho Hon. Jasper Sharpe
The old gentleman rubbed his hands 10