Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-06-09

scorn OF gold, he privately pOndered on
the probable meaning of something
handsome.
Meanwhile, there was new arrival in
Leekville. Mrs. Buttersby's brother,
who In his youth had been no credit to
his family, and in his old age was no
particular credit to himself, made his
appearance one fine evening with a
bundle tied in a blue cotton pocket
handkerchief over his shoulder, and
declared his intention of remaining to
end his days with his dear sister, Mrs.
Buttersby received him coolly, and in
timated that be had best return to his
former residence; but Silas Brown lit
orally would not go, SO there was
nothing for it but to make up an unused
bed in very damp room and keep him.
Certainly there must have been some
strong inducement to tempt Silas to
share the poor fare and sour looks of
Mrs. Buttersby, and although he was
ten years older than his sister, every one
declared he had an eye to the gold sup
posed to be buried under the pear tree
and up the chimney, and which, in case
of the old lady's sudden decease would
fall to him as next of kin; and everybody
THAT is, everybody in Leekville-said
that che thing was shameful, and that If
any one had right to whatever her aunt
left it was Miss Penelope.
Every one had said this about six
months when Aunt Buttersby was taken
suddenly i'll. She refused medical as
sistance on the score of expense, until she
grew SO bad that DR.. Jalap could aid her
by neither pill nor potion, and on one
winters day lay dying on the hardest of
straw holsters.
She knew her end was near, and spoke
of it freely, chiefly triumphant on the
score of not having incurred useless
doctors bill
Brother Silas listened fearfully for the
mention of a will, but none was made,
and on the score of property nothing was
said until sunset. Poor Penelope, the
doctor, the minister, Silas and Simon
Starbuck we're assembled about her
couch. Then, suddenly, Aunt Buttersby
sat bolt upright in bed, lifted her skinny
finger and said:
&c call you all to witness"
"She's wandering, poor thing" said
Silas, in tremor.
'ENo, she's not, said Simon Starbuck.
81 call you to witness what say"
reiterated Mrs. Buttersby; penelope
Baxter has been a good girl, and dutiful
to me. I'm going to reward her,"
Silas groaned and Penelope began to
weep.
"I told her," said Mrs Buttersby,
"that I'd leave her something hand
some, and I'll keep that promise. Re-
member they're my dying words. I
give to Penelope the big China jar that
stands on the mantle-piece yonder. A
china trader gave it to poor Buttersby
years ago; it's worth a great deal, and it's
pretty"
Starbuck smothered an oath. Silas
looked less terrified
"But," pursued Mrs. Buttersby,
" Penelope must promise never to sell it.
If the time comes when she must part
with it, she must break it. No stranger
can have that jar. Promise, Pen, prom
ise."
And Penelope promised that she never.
never would part with her dear aunt's
last present
Mrs. Buttersby never spoke after this,
and three days after was laid at rest in
the old churchyard, and her brother,
Silas Brown, took possession of the house
in which she dwelt, and another in the
village, and, finding no gold under the
pear tree or up the chimney, sold the
village house and rented half of the
other, and lived temporarily on his in
come.
Poor Penelope took the china Jar away
in her arms with reverential care, and
being married to Simon began to keep
house with little other furniture besides
a pine table, two chairs, stove and a
tea-kettle. But the jar graced her man
telpiece and was her pride and glory.
It was tall and slender, with a narrow
neck, and device representing Chi
nese lady of rank walking in blue gar
den among pink butterflies. Every day
it was busted religiously, and turned
best side foremost, and profane hands
never touched it. Mild Penelope felt
that her aunt had crowned the benevo-
lence of her life by this gift, and only
thought herself silly for having believed
in the hidden treasure. But Simon was
of a different mold. AS time passed on
he waxed more and more wrathful at
fate. The world did not appreciate his
genius. His father died and he was left
to his own resources. He left Leekville
at last, and, going to New York, resolved
to become a star and astonish the dra-
matte million. Fate was still against
him; and as last resource he settled
down as very subordinate actor in an
exceedingly minor theatre, and came on
in peasant costume to say "welcome
home, my lord, to the newly returned
heir; or as smuggler, who announced
that the captain was waiting" or
sometimes as a speeches. king at ban
quet.
Penelope made nets and nursed her
children. In few years the house was
full Of them. When we say the house,
we mean the habitation, which, correctly
speaking, might have been mentioned as
rooms. They trotted and crept about,
fell down stairs and out Of windows, and
overset kettles of boiling water, and
through all escaped alive, with their full
complement of limbs. The disappointed