The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-04-06
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THE vNcLE's LEGACY.


The reader Is introduced into the liv.
ing room, ss it is called, of Peter Du-
rants cottages poorly furnished apart.
ment, clean, but with the signs Of mea-
gre poverty everywhere plainly visible.
Occupying one Of the window recesses
is the work table or bench belonging to
our friend Peter, who follows the trade
of tailor. s}rsH 49, ssSs
There are his shears, bis measures, bis
work, his skeins of thread and sewing
elk, his paper patterns, bis wadding, and
scattered all about are shreds Of color
ed cloths-red, blue. green, brown, grey
and black. .Fgs - sa Eolv
In one corner of the room we saw o
rudely made cradle, and near it, with q
child's frock in her hands, stands the
plump figure Of Dame Martha, the tail
or's comely helpmate, and mother of six
teen children rs sfaiilash nsk9l1l = sa
f"OhY she cries, tossing aside the gar.
ment she has been examining, Il shall
patch and darn you no more. MY six
teen darlings shall wear rags no longer ;
they ehall be newly clad from head to
foot in good seryicesble black land Alice
shall be made to look as smart as a new
pin. Poor girl, she hasn't had decent
thing to wear since she was short dress
ed! / don't know where We should all
Of US have been by this time had itnot
been for the kind help Of some. of our
neighbots-- charitable souls !-betteron
than ourselves. just fancy sixteen chill
dren,g big and little, to feed and to clothe
Oh, dear, how we all have been pinched
these many years: Bat our poverty ia
past and gone now, and :: a-gs
| At this moment the latch of the cot
tage door is lifted, and an old woman
looksin s5 So lEYi
"Good mornin' Matty. Is Peter a,
home2H,f sat es Ess5s xseFs6 s. S03fo
sa.No, Betty Marsh, he! is not. What
do you want with him?'' % Tsisg
81 want him to ps.ch my good mans
coat as soon as be can. es' =
"Pooh, don't you know Uncle Duran
is dead ?" 40 sy;ssa, S 80 ylg5aS !.
s"Of course I do. That's news weel
old. And what then2"
/ "Well, the old man was'ricb, He was
great iniser, although he owned more
gold than he could count, He has left
all his money TO my Peter, who was biz
nephew -v.a ..rz
"Then you are . very lucky woman
Matty, although you have got sixteen
children. Well, i suppose must carry
my name coat back again!" -
Before Matty can make the other re,
| ply, the cottage door is dashed open
and Peter Dursnt, assisted by two men
enters, carrying an old fashioned eight
day clock. -. s - - r.
| 'Hey,iayl What on earth is this, Pc
ter r. asks bis wife in surprise, -
"a heavy load. and be hanged to 1t,
he replies, Grossly. II think / coult
God it in my heart to chop 1t up into
firewood.n e 90 a2t eE
"where did you get 1t, husband ?"
| "Where did get it7 Why, this awk
ward, unwieIdiy piece of furniture il
Uncle Dorant's legacy-all, in fact, b
has left me- Yah 4is ssl s,sf.
"Peter" gasps Martha, With whit,
| lips Peter, don't say so! Recall you
4 words. Oh, do, do, dol" sies 57sH
| "Matty, / speak the truth. This clocl
is all the wealth Uncle Durant has be
queathed us.nsE ssa
ut can't be possible, husband. Who
then, gets bis piles Of money r
"There-fetch me Ratchet, wife, K
chop up this brute of clock"
j "Destroy 1t Petera Oh. no! Afte
d all, it's piece Of furniture. Let it be
Set it up against the wall, put i in work
4 ing order, and so end the matter.''
4 II reckon may now leave my man,
| coat to be mepdedseh, Matty p
4 Work is it for me to dop" inquire
the tailor "Yes, OF course, neIghbor
! and I'll be as quick as can with it."
I That's AL right, Peter" and will
that Betty Marsh lays down her bundl
and makes her exit.
! Matty Durant drops into chair, Gov
ers her,face with her hands, and moan
YEARLY, whilst. the men and Peter plac
the clock against the wail lin . positio
in which It shows.to the best advantage
"That'll do, think. says the li.tl
tailor to his assistants. Thank yo
kindly, my men some day., may be,
shall have it in my power to do you
q good turn. Good day to you, se !, :
4 The men shake hands with Peter an
4 leave the cottage. As, they disappes
the tailor utters loud vail, and sinkin
into chair, begins to- sob hystericall,
"Sixteen Of them, and nothing bt
that clock left to me! What on cart
has be done with his hoardsl What a
/ -. n -. j.