The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-06-01
Selett ShEg.
THE LEGAC ".
A TALE OF REAL LIFE.

It would not have been easy-we could
almost say, impossible-to have found
anywhere more Contented or happier
family than that of David Hunter, at the
period when we first take up their his
tory. Yet the Hunters were in but hum
BILE circumstances, the father and three
sons being merely common workmen in
a large bleaching mandatory, at very
moderate wages. But what of that
They were very contented, and that was
enough
David Hunter, the head of the family,
was truly respectable man for his sta
ton in life-quiet, sober, honest and in
telligent. His sons were not behind him
in any of these particulars. They too
were quiet, well-behaved lads. The fami-
ly consisted, altogether, of wife, the
three sons Just alluded to, and two daugh-
ters-the latter, like all the rest of the
family, being remarkable for their indus
trious habits and the general propriety
of their conduct.
But it was the love that the several
members of this happy family bore to
each other that formed the most re-
markable feature Of their communion,
and which most particularly attracted the
notice and excited the admiration of all
who had an opportunity of marking it.
And such opportunity had the whole
parish in which they resided; for, in
going to church, they invariably all went
together, brother and sister, linked arm
in arm, and all talking so kindly, and
looking so fondly in each others faces
it was delightful to see them.
In church, too, it was pretty sight to
see how attentive the brothers were to
their mother and sisters in pointing out
the text and the psalm. These were
trifing matters, indeed, but people of
disCernment saw great deal in them.
At home, too, it was equally pleasant to
see the Hunters of an evening, after the
father and the young men had returned
from their work--the house clean and
neat; the daughters bnsily employed in
sewing; the mother in discharging her
household duties; the father seated by
the fire in his great wooden armchair,
and the sons seated around him, engaged
in lively and cheerful conversation
Great, indeed, though humble, was the
happiness Of the Hunters.
Their employer, who had great es-
teen for David and his family, was in the
habit of looking in upon them some
times, after work-hours, when making
his usual rounds to see that all was right
about the field. On these occasions, he
never could refrain fl ON saying some
thing congratulatory to David, in refer
ence to the quiet, cheerful and affection
ate conduct of his children. He had wit
messed the domestic felicity of the family
often; but every time he saw it, it struck
him as forcibly as the first time.
at would be no small matter, David"
he said on one of these occasions, smiling
as he spoke, "that would cause a differ
ence in your family. l hardly think any
thing could interrupt the harmony that
reigns amongst you"
"Well, | believe" replied David, with
a very excusable look Of compaUenGy,
"that hardly anything possible could.
There has never been the slightest differ
ence amongst us yet, and | trust there
never will" The sons and daughters re-
piled to their employers remark by rails
ing their heads, and glancing at him with
a smile which said as plainly as smile
can say anything: "a difference be-
tween us! No, no; such thing can
rever be. We love each other too well
and too sincerely for that"
Thus stood matters, then, with David
Hunter and his family, and thus they re-
mained for several years, with little or
no change: only that David and his wife
were getting little older, and their sons
and daughters further on in life. But in
their happiness and attachment to each
other there was no change unless an in
crease Of such happiness and attachment
can be so called.
David Hunter and his family were sur
prised one evening by visit from the
letter-carrier. He had not been at their
house for two years before; and then it
was with a very primitive looking epistle,
most abominably folded, sealed with a
bit of resin instead of wax, and super
scribed with a vile hieroglyphcal sort Of
direction. 1t was from very honest,
decent man, however, brother of David
Hunter who was weaver in Bridgeton,
near Glasgow. No letter had they re-
Ceived from any quarter since then till
now. But the letter that made its ap-
pearance now was of very different de-
scription, being properly folded, carefully
sealed, and altogether business ike. On
its being handed in, David slowly put his
hand into his capaCiOus wastcoat pocket
in search of his spectacles. These found
and drawn forth, he deliberately opened
them, and with equal deliberation placed
them on his nose. All these preparatory
proceedings gone through with due SOL
emnity. David at length opened the mys-
terious letter, and, surrounded by his
wondering and anxious, but profoundly
silent family, read as follows
LONDON, ---.
"Sir-We have much pleasure in in.
forming you that you are named in the
will of the late John Pitt, Esq, Of Wood
vale, Jamaica, for legacy of L.5000
"We, in the meantime, only advise
you of the circumstance; but shall in
day or two address you again, with in
structions as to proceedings necessary for
putting you i'll possession of said legacy,
dloO do w bllllC anu LllhlllCl Vi pay
"We are, sir,
"YOur obedient servants,
"GREssLEY AND GREGsoE.
Solicitors"
1t is presumed to be unnecessary to de-
scribe the effect this extraordinary and
most unexpected communication had
upon David Hunter and his family The
reader will himself form a sufficiently
lively idea of 1t, without our troubling
him with description, The legacy had
been wholly unlocked for; the testator
being very distant relation, and a per-
son with whom Tavid had never had any
correspondence; indeed, of whose exist
ence he was hardly aware.
The news of the Hunters legacy, not
withstanding the precautions taken by
the family to keep the matter quiet for
little time, soon spread amongst the
neighbors, who said that David's family,
bonny hafora would surplv now ha ton