Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-04-02

| fathers will from its very ingenious
are beggar."
"You are rideeuling poor dead grand
pa and calling me names" said, burst
ing inte tears.
"My poor, foolish childv' said Mr.
Curdle. "why, didn't you hear what h
had to sayat least? Together, you hav'
made nice mess of it"
We had certainly, as acknowledged
when old Miss Humphries took posses
sion of the homestead, and 1 found tha
was no longer mistress Of the dear ole
place had not even right there
but was and interloper.
When, to crown all, she came to me
as lay weeping on my bed, and said in
| her harsh nasal tones
"Beulah, sit up and stop crying I've
got something to tell you."
sat up and wiped my eyes.
considered her an enemy, and one
never wishes to weep before ones ene-
mics.
providence is Providence, Beulah
More, " said she; 'you oughtn't to rebel
ag'in it-nO, you oughtn't. You ought
to be contented In the condition you've
been called to. But I'm not hard
hearted woman; I'm willing to have
you stay with me. You can help nae in
the work, you know.
II don't keep servants-a lazy, idle
set, eating you out of house and home.
"a young girl like you can be useful
if she's grateful and willing, so I'll keep
you Beulah More"
was only fourteen years old, but I
knew as well as knew anything that
should have preferred service anywhere
else.
But as she spoke, a thought darted
into my head.
Grandfather had certainly spoken of
hiding a will somewhere
If stayed and rubbed and scrubbed,
and busted diligently, should discover
it if it was above ground, and not sto-
len, as Mr.. Curdle believe.
All, how delightful to discomfit her
at last.
How well worth the hard fate and the
hard work I knew I should have to en-
dure.
Yes, even her unpleasant company
could be borne with this end In view.
So said, taking care not to speak too
eagerly, that would stay, and I gave
myself year to find the will in.
A year is an eternity at fourteen.
That very day old Miss Humphries
began to show me my position by turn
ing me out of my pretty bedroom and
roof.
had had pretty carpet, white cur
tains, a bookcase, Turkish chair and
dainty bed, all white and pink, and toi-
lette service, pink and white also.
had never done any work, except
putting this room in order, for we had
two old servants besides man.
Now I scrubbed floors and washed
windows and dishes, and had no time
to read or sew or wander in the woods
OF enjoy myself in the garden.
Miss Humphries sent all my school
girl friends from the door when they
asked for me, and it was after a long,
hard fight, that I obtained my books,
my sewing basket and my few window
plants, with which to make my garret
more homelike.
My black suit became shabby.
felt ashamed to 60 to church, and
knew not where to procure other cloth
ing.
was very miserable, but all the while
I never forget my object.s
Not only did I continue my search all
day, but at night often battered about
the house ia my bare feet.
| I had found many curious places
where will might have well been hid
| den.
For instance the posts of grandfather's
bed had hollow space in them, covered
with carved cap, shaped like a pine
apple, which came off.
| And behind the carved wooden man
telpiece in his room-the original house
was hundred years old. they say, and
very eurious-there was a receptacle
that might have concealed fifty wills.
| The old woman never suspected me.
| Besides, she was half the time asleep,
nodding in her chair.
| She had delight in seeing me at
work, and set me tasks as hard to me as
those the malevolent fairy put upon
poor Graciosa were to her.
| Where | was sent I went.
| Who knew where the will might be
| But now the year had given myself
was nearly over, and the malevolent
fairy of my existence had ordered me to
whitewash the cow-hOuse, and I had
agreed to do it with a feeling upon me
that endurance was almost at an end,
that hope was almost gone, that must
leave the place if l starved.
| No wonder I was thin, and had lost
my line complexion.
The lime was mixed and the brush
was found.
PUT it on thick, Beulah," said my
task mistress 1--WE don't want any of
the boards to show. Why, where's your
| stick ?n
"I can't find ONE to fit," said 1, dis
consoIately. "Oh, can reach, I think. !"
"You can't" said she. "Fhe idea of
whitwashing with short brush. Go
and hunt stick. Why, know where
there's one-in your own room. saw
it to-day"
"That's dear grandpa's came" said I.
IT don't care. Get it,n said she. "It
is only stick, cane or not"
II won't use that in such a way"
said 'grandfather's cane, that he us
ed to walk with every day-that I used
to ride on when was baby. Dear old
cane, that seems part of him, I
wouldn't use it so for worlds.n
Sentimental nonsense said the old
woman. "The idea! When I am dead
they can do what they like with my
umbrella, I'm sure. Get the stick"
IT WON'T" said 7.
"Then will, and you'll use it,n said
she.
Away she went to the garret, and down
she came with the thick and heavy cane,
with neither curve nor carving on it-a
sort of pale grey wood polished like
glass.
"Here's the stick" said she, "and
you'll see my word is law here"
| I never stirred.
"Tie that stick on the ewhitewash brush
and go to work, I" said she.
II WON'T" said I.
"You won't?"
"No.'
'You're q pretty big girl, Beulah
More" said she, Shut if you don't I'll
whip you"
II dare you to touch me,n said I.
She lifted the stick.
I'm not sure whether she would have
struck me, or whether it was only in
menace; but caught it.
"Give me my grandfather's cane ?'
I cried and pulled.
!. Sho 7,r11nI o1e1