The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-10-24
named them Eifie, after Saul Ketchuni's

When saul heard OF 1t he smiled grim
ly, and, speaking to his wife, said:
"And now, old woman, what are you
going to do about thisY Here you have
two nieces bearing your name which
are you going to make your heir if you
outlive meY 1 don't like to divide
cherry, and we may not have enough to
make both rich"
"There's time enough to talk of that,
Saul" replied the woman. "When we
are done with our means it may be dou-
BILE what it is now, and it will bear di-
vision very well. Women shouldn't be
too rich, you know"
Timothy Ketchum (who was the faith
er of the visitor at Barrenville) took it
into his head to visit his brother Saul,
and carried his daughter with him.
Had he left her at home it might have
Jared better with him. The child was
bright and uncommonly precocious for
her years, and one day, observing her
uncle apply jug to his lips, she watch
ed until the process was completed,
when she asked him what he was drink
ing.
"Whiskey," he replied. with laugh.
"Ah," said Efie, now perceive why
they call you Whiskey-jug Saul"
"And pray, who calls me sol" in
quired her uncle, coaxingl ly patting her
head.
40, papa, mamma, and all the rest"
"Who do you mean by all the rest Z"
asked her uncle; "did you ever hear
your Uncle Mark make use of such Ian
guage?"
40, no." innocently answered the
child; "Uncle Mark told them one day
they ought to be ashamed to speak so,
and they only laughed at him."
"They did," responded Saul Ketchum,
slowly surveying his niece, and inward
ly chuckling at his secret thoughts.
In due time whiskey slew Saul Ketch-
UNI, and it was rumored in the house of
Timothy Ketchum that Saul had left
him his fortune. Poor Mark never re-
pined or grudged Timothy his good luck
By-and-by there came letter from
SauPs lawyer, stating that the estate
had been divided between the brothers
daughters, but in a rather eccentric man
ner, for the will bequeathed the daugh-
ter of Mark Ketchum all the money and
lands, while Timothy's was to have her
uncle's whiskey-jug.
There was sorrow and modification in
the house of Tim Ketchum, for it had
been the general belief his daughter had
come into possession of all her uncle's
wealth.
Effie had, in the first flush of the ex-
element, conveyed the news. to her
friend Mary Knowell but when the real
state of affairs was known, she was glad
to absent herself from town and wait for
a season until the discontinue of herself
and fathers family was less keenly felt
Accordingly she came to Barrenville,
but she either forgot or did not deem it
of sufficient Importance to correct her
first letter to her friend.
Tim Ketchum, as soon as he heard the
good news, had gone to the shopkeeper's
and given extensive orders for his daugh-
ters wardrobe, and they were only too
happy to sell him upon credit. Efie
certainly obtained dashlng outfit, for,
which her Uncle Mark generously paid,
besides giving her a purse of gold.
Thus equipped she came to Barrenville.
Jack Starbuck was first on the ground,
and sailed in with flying colors to win
the rich Miss Ketchum the lesser lights
followed in his wake, but of course re-
ceived nothing but politeness and smiles,
while tender glances and moonlight
strolls were reserved for Jack Star
buck.
While this happy state of things ex-
listed, Zenas Mahan, with his handsome
face and splendid figure, appeared upon
the scene. Moreover, he drove two
magnificent bays, finer by far than Jack
Starbuck's sorrel mare. Ellie was per-
picked, and went for advice to her friend
Mary Knowell.
"What shall / do!" she exclaimed
+" Mr.. Mahan has asked me to have him,
and he is so handsome W
"Then why don't you have him z" re-
piled Miss Knowell.
because l am already engaged to
Mr.. Starbuck, but for PHYS sake don't
mention it."
Mary Knowell laughed. "What do
you propose, Effie ?" she asked.
"Tell me candidly," said she, becom-
ing very sedate, (which is the richest of
the two ?"
"Mr. Mahan is the most wealthy"
replied her friend; "but suely you would
not make that the motive 7"
"Yes, would" responded Effie.
"Why, you are positively mercenary,"
answered her friend, with a smile,
"after your writing me all about your
uncle leaving you such splendid for
tune, what on earth can you desire more
money for I"
Miss Ketchum quailed beneath Mary
KnowelPs look. The remembrance of
the letter she had written made her feel
uncomfortable. Whatever she did must
be done in hurry.
At subsequent meeting with Zenas
Mahan she confessed to him that she
was engaged to Mr.. Starbuck. Zenas
heard the confession with more compos-
ure than Effie thought he would, but he
nevertheless determined not to despair
so long as Efie gave him opportunities
to meet his rival. And he succeeded.
Quietly one evening Zenas Mahan took
Effie Ketchum riding; on the way he
picked up couple of friends, and then
drove to the house of a neighboring
clergyman, who made them man and
wife. Zenas took his bride to the hotel,
and went to the home of Mary Knowell
for her trunks. Poor Jack Starbuck was
almost struck dumb when the truth Was
announced to him.
A few weeks later, and Zenas Mahan
and wife were sitting in their room at
the hotel, and there was no one by to
hear their conversation, except the
chambermaid, who had her ear to the
keyhole.