Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-09-29
Lost Will.

| The scenes am about to descr lbe occurred
10 the year 1850, 10 Ia resspeclbls family BY
the name Of Culveiton, Orange County, New
| York.
The Culvertons had lived In the old famil,
mansion and enjoyed the revenues of the fami.
ly estate for many years, without the slightest
doubt but that they had right toit, but sud
| denly there started up, from goodness k ows
| where, an Individual who laid claim to the pr op-
erty, and seemed likely TO prove il to all but
Culverons.
1t was certain, Jabez Hardy was the nearest
relative, and certain that Mrs. Culverton was
only grand niece of Hiram Hardy, deceased;
but the Culvertons had lived with the old man
for years, aud he had promised tirAe and again
TO leave them everything. He had even declar-
ed that his will was made In their favor and
that such document was actually 10 existence
MIR. Culverton could not doubt, but dlligent
search was made in vain. and Jabez Hardy,
whom the cid man never saw was to take the
place Of people he loved so well, and who had
been his comfort in his last hours.
sit was shame' said every one.
"a cruel, wicked thingl'' sobbed Mrs. Cul-
verton.
And Mr.. Culverton who had never expected
reverse was quite crushed as the pending law
suit progressed.
A thousand times a day he said:
"Ilow providential ii would he if uncle lii
rams will should turn up al this moment"
81 wonder how lie can rest, poor man, with
such injustice going on"
But no matter what they said, or how they
managed, no will was found and Jabez rubbed
his hands in triumph.
1t was strange that while matters were In
this condition, one so deeply interested in the
subject as Mrs. Culverton necessarily was should
dream of any thing else. But dream she did,
night after night, of an entirely different sub
ject.
Inevitably, for week at least, she had no
sooner closed her eyes than she found herself
In an intelligence Office full OF employees of all
ages and nations, and face to face with girl of
small stature, with white Scotch features, aud
singular blue eyes wide apart and staring, who
desired the situation of cIok.
AT first she did not like tho girl, but In every
dream she found her aversion vanish after a
moments conversation, and invariably it had
begun TO melt when tho girl looked ut her and
said.
aid like to hire with you, ma am
II was always the same office, the same girl.
always the same words used. Mrs. Culyerton
began to think there must be something In the
dream
Though it can't be true" said she, "for
while Johanna remains with me shall never
hire another cook"
And just as she said this there was a scream
In the kitchen, and the little errand girl ran in
ma, lifting the wash boiler had fallen with it and
scalded herself.
Mrs. Cnlverton followed the girl IL the kitch-
en- and found Johanna in q wretchad condition:
and the doctor had been sent for, she was put
to bed and declared useless for her domestic
capacity for at least a mouth to come.
A temporary substitute must be had and Mrs.
Culverton that very afternoon went TO New
York City to find one at the intellpence OF.
flee.
Strange to say, In the hustle she had quite
forgotten her dream, until she stood face to face
with the very girl she had seen In 1t.
A small young woman, with very singular
blue eyes In small white face, and whose feat
ures betrayed Scottish origin. She,had riseA-
this girl-from seat in the Office, and stood he
fore her, twisting her apron strings and courte-
sying.
81 would like TO hire with you, ma'am," she
said.
The very words of the dream, also, Mrs. Oul
verton started, and in confusion could only
say
sWhy?"
~ don't know" she said, "ony it seems to
me I'D Ike 10 live with you.
II seemed fatal thing to Mrs. Culyerton
to put the most usual questions and receive
the most satisfactory answers, except In refer
ences.
"But cant employ you without reference"
SAID Mrs. G., knowing that fate had de-
creed this girl should take place in her kitch-
en-.
"lf you can't must out with it," said the
girl. There's my lady's nama ma am. She
VIII lten you am honest aud capable; bat she
turned me OIL she said for frightening her fami
iy.
"How?"
Seeing ghosts" replied the gnl. "Eysry
day saw tile child In white playing about
the house: and all said there was no such
child, there had been once, but she was dead.
Mistress said pretended to SIZE IL for the sake
Of impertinence and shs discharged me; but |
knew by her trembling that she thought that
| had seen ghost
l went to The doctor and he said Il was an OBJ
tical dellision, and IL would soon pass away,
and surs enough l have not seen 1t since left
| the house,"
IL was queer story, but Mrs. Culyerton be-
lleved 1t, and when she left the office she hired
Jessie to fill Jobannas place for the space Of
one month from that day. That evening she
| came and wenLto work with a will.
Dinner time passed comfortably and Tea time
| came. The Culyert0ns never ale anything but
biscuit or cake al this meal, and cups wel hand
ed about In the sitting room. Jessie came In
at the appointed hour with her tray, served
| every one, and then she stood smiling before
| Mrs. Culyerton, as she said:
"Please, ma'am, let me pass you, the old gen.
teman has not been helped. Yes, sir, in min
| ute.'
{ lemanl" cried Mrs. Culver
! ion 7r.r
| "Yes,maam-behind you in the corner there.