Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-06-06

ot the curse that rested upon the gold
My husband and my two noble boys diet
drunkards My eldest daughter fingered
for years q sufferer. and died in agon,
from the effects of fall from carriage
driven by her brother when he was lit
tie under the influence of liquor. Nj
youngest girl. the sweetest flower of all
died OF grief and modification at th'
dreadful scenes she witnessed in wha
should have been a sacred refuge from
all trouble. her own home. The doctors
called her disease decline; know i
was broken heart.
"When | was widowed and childless.
loathed the money that had made me so
Every dollar was separate torment tC
me. and would not touch one cent OF j
in personal expenditure. For twenty
five years have lived upon the income
of my own private fortune. spending the
entire income of the rest in charity
above all, in the charity tonching live:
that were made wretched 10y love o.
liquor.
Il have tried to reform the drunkard
to help his wife, or widow. his unfortC'
nate children And ask you to put your
hand TO the same work, 10 establish q
home Tor the children OF men addicted to
drink, and win them from the same
temptation. For my sake l ask it. Be
cause love you, love you deeply.
implore you to grant my dying wish, and
only handle the money to use 1t for
purpose noble enough 10 remove the
curse from il.
But. Howard, only ask this. will
not enforce it upon you. Mr.. Hill holds
two wills III his possession, the one OF
latest date giving you every dollar OF
Jerome Durvagne's money. If sou still
desire to possess this, it is yours By that
will. II you grant my dying request,
ask Mr.. Hill for that will and b1rn it.
II will write no more. Ii what have
already written will not influence you,
have no argument more powerful to add
10 the facts.
MAY your heavenly Father direct
your choice. That love you, you must
never doubt. however you decide"
Mena Bateman had stopped many
times as she read TO wipe the tears from
her eyes, but there were none dimming
their bris htness as she looked up at The
end, saying:
Have you burned the last will ?"
al have it here" Howard said, taking
the paper from his pocket. "Mr. Hill
gave il TO me without hesitation, only
telling me he was sure / would destroy
it. 1t is yours, Mens, now. You shall
decide its fate"
The girl took the paper, her face very
pale. her eyes full OF steady light. She
knew well it would give her lite of
luxury and ease. all the costly indulgen-
ces the wife Of millionaire may pur-
chase She knew that her lover would
accept her decision as final. And, with
out any hesitation she crossed the room
and put the will upon The glowing Goals
of the open CRATE.
Howard Leslie followed her TO put his
arm around her in a tender embrace. and
50. together. they watched the paper
scorch, blaze, shrivel and float in blacken-
ed pieces up the chimney.
MAY God bless your decision" How
ard said, solemnly STOPPING 10 kiss the
broad, white brow of his promised wife.
Heaven helping me you shall never
regret it while live"
Before the year was over the home
Mrs. Durvagne had planned was COM
pleted, and Howard Leslie had organ.
lied its corps OF nurses and teachers.
while Almena, his wife, spent each day
in helping forward the work for which it
was intended. And as the years roll by
the noble charity reaches hundreds OF
the children often worse than orphaned.
while Howard Leslie and his vile devote
q portion OF each day 10 their work as
trustees Of The fund entrusted to them 4;
the fund which they trust Is purified by
its noble use and carries no longer its
curse.
But in their happy home. for their chill
dreu or themselves, they will not use one
dollar of the sacred trust. depending
upon The work Howard does in his own
profession and the little fortune that
came 10 him Lnstsined.