The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-03-29

through the gate from MS walk. leave
you together" And, 30 saying, she
withdrew.
"What, Meade" said Peter Finch, as
he entered, skulking indoors on a
fine morning like this? I've been all
through the village-not an ugly place
but wants looking after sadly-roads
shamefully muddy; pigs allowed to walk
on the footpath J.
"Dreadful - exclaimed John.
| "I saw. you came out pretty strong
last night" said Peter "You quite de-
fed the old man ! like your spirit.
II have no doubt you do" thought
John.
"Oh, when / was a youth was a lit
tie that way myself" said Peter. "but
the world-the world, my dear sir, soon
cures us of all romantic notions. l re-
greet, of course, to see poor people mis-
cradle but what's the use of regretting?
It's no part OF the business Of the
superior classes to interfere with the
laws of supply and demand poor peo-
pie must be miserable. What can't be
cured must be endured.
"That is to say" returned John,
"wbat we can't cure they must endure"
EXACTLY So" said Peter.
Mr.. Collett this day was too i'll to leave
his bed. About noon he requested to
see his nepnews in his bedroom. They
found him propped up by pillows, look
ing very weak, but in good spirits as
usual.
"Well, boys" said he, "here 1 am.
you see brought to anchor at last The
doctor will be here soon, L suppose, to
shake his head and write recipes. Hum
bug, my boys Patients can do as
much for themselves, believe, as doc
tors can do for them they're all in the
dark together-the only difference is
that the patients grope in English and
the doctors grope in Latin.
"You are too skeptical, sir" said
John Meade.
"Pooh p said Mr. Collett. "Let us
change the subject. l want your advice,
Peter and John, on matters that concern
your interests. 1 Gm going to make
my will to-day, and don't know how to
act about your cousin, Emma Briggs.
Emma disgraced us by marrying an OIL
man."
"An GILMAN |" exclaimed John.
"a vulgar, shocking Gilman - said
Mr.. Collect; ga wretch who not only
sold oil, bat soap, candles, turpentine,
black lea6 and birch brooms. 1t was a
dreadful blow to the family. Her poor
grandmother never got over it, and a
maiden aunt turned Methodist in de-
spair. Well, Briggs, the Gilman, died
last week, it seems, and his widow has
written to me, asking for assistance.
Now, have thought of leaving her a
; hundred a year in my will. What do
you think of it? I'm afraid she don't
deserve it. What right had she to
marry against the advice of her friends
What have l to do with her misfort-
unes ?"
My mind is quite made up" said
, Peter Finch; "no notice ought to be
taken OF her. She made an obstinate
and unworthy match; let her abide the
consequences.
,, "Now l would like your opinion,
john" said Mr.. Collect.
upon my word, think 1 must say
the same" said John Meade, bracing
himself up boldly for the part of the
|, worldly man. "What right had she to
marry-as you observed with great jus.
, tice, sir? Let her abide the conse-
! qsences-as you very properly remarked,
Finch. Can't she carry on the oilman's
business9 dare say it will support hel
very we'll"
"Why, no." said Mr.. Collect; Briggs
;; died bankrupt, and his widow and
! children are very destitute.
"1'hat does not alter the question,
said Peter Finch. "Let Briggs fam
lily do something for her themselves.
"To lie sure" said Mr.. Collect
Briggs family are the people to dc
something for her. She mustn't ex
), pect anything from us-must she
John?"
destitute, is she p said John
: "With children, too2 Why, this is an
other case, sir. You surely ought tC
notice her-to assist her. Confound it
:. I'm in for letting her have the hundred
, a year"
"Oh, John, John what a breal
y down p said Mr.. Collett. $50 yor
o were trying to follow Peter Fincl
n through stony Arabia, and turned bacl
at the second step Here's a brav,
d traveller for you, Peter John, keel
8 your Arabia Felix, and leave sternel
n ways to very different men. Good-by
> both of you. I've no voice to talk an,
more. I'll think over all you hav'
Is said"
- He pressed their hands and they lef
/ the room. The old man was too veal
to speak the next day, and in three day
e after that he calmly breathed his last.
, AS soon as the funeral was over tin
, will was read by the confidential man o
q business, who had always attended Il
Mr. Collects affairs. The group tina
l. sat around him preserved decorous az
l. pesranoe Of disinterestedness, and, tn
e usual preamble to the will having beel
listened to with breathless attention, tn
e man of business read the following, Ii
clear voice
81 bequeath to my niece, Emm
d Briggs, notwithstanding that she shocke'
u her family by marrying an Gilman, tn
50 sum of "a, 900, being fully persuade'
70 that her lost dignity, if she could eve
L find it again, would do nothing to pro
e vide her with food, or clothing, or shel
+ ter"
John Meade smiled and Peter Fincl
+" ground his teeth. but in quite respect
d able manner. The man of bushes