The Russellville Democrat., 1881-03-31
AUNT HARsFOy's LEG lCY.

When ms cousin. Buc1nfia AlarSton, handed me the little morocco case, she could scarcely repress a smile of triumph as she thought of the difference q few short weeks mad made in oDr relative po- sitions.
 I had been brought mp hy Aunt Mar ston. had lived ifl ease and luxury all my life. while my cousin had been obliged for years to earn her own living by sew ing.
 I had always looked upon Greylands as my home. while she had never been invited to spend even 2 week at the de- lightful old country house on the Hudson since she was child.
 And now she had come into Posses sion of the old homestead, and l, the tayorite, whom she had hated and enyied for 50 many years, was put off with this insig- nifcant bequest.
 "After alf your toadying," she said, with a sheer, it is too bad to be cut of with 8 shilling, but if Mr. Levi" other eS- ecutor-"knows anything about 1t, they are worth great many shillings, for he says they are solid eighteen carat gold, and that Ormolu, who had them, would give vou afty dollars for them to-day. However, you are welcome to them. And now l suppose you will see the necessity of looking for another home.
 The bitter, insulting words, the deso- late. deserted feeling at being thus cruel lv turned out of the only home l knew overcame the unnatural calmness with which I had hitherto borne my irrepar- able loss, and l threw myself on the bed and wept as 1 never iu my short, happy life thought it possible l could weep.
 1 don't know hsw long it lasted. but when I became calm, my heart still ached. but my brain seemed cleared. and l could look my situation in the face.
 was 10 syeophant; knew that well for loved my aun dearly, and had al- ways given her daughters wiling de- votion, without one thought beyond the present. I even told Charlie Burnett, to whom I was engaged with all my heart, that "we'd better bide q wee for could not leave my second mother to spend her last days alone to be cared for by hirelings.
 Aunt Funice had often said to me, "You and Charlie will not have to wait long. dear.child, and will see that your future is provided for" did not care for myself, but I felt so disappointed for his sake. when I found that was left absolutely penniless.
 think now, as look back, that after she became paralyzed she wanted to say something to me about it, for as she lay there so white and still, almost like q piece of statuary, the muscles about her lips would twitch as If trying to form words, and tLe eyer-restless eye would turn on me with an earnest, appealing look, like the yearning pitiful expression of a dumb animal trying to make its sui ferings understood.
 But she died and made no sign, and now Charlie must plod along in the old way. and must try and earn my own living, for had made up my mind that I would never be an additional burden on the poor fellow.
 I threw down the jewel case with a sigh of disappointment as l thought 1t all over, and then, ashamed of myself, picked it up again and kissed the we'll worn trinkets, in fact the only ones my aunt ever wore, and put them tenderiy away among my other treasures-her gifts and Charlie's-in the trunk was packing.
 Alas for the frailty of human resolu- tions. Charlie would not hear of my earning my own living, and though he did not exactly threaten to commit sui eide if I refused, he looked so utterly miserable and forlorn that l was forced to reconsider my decision.
 Charlie and I are quite old married folks now, and four little, curly-pated, restless bodies tumble about III the small poor room that serves me as a bedroom, sittipg-room and nursery, comming to mama with their small hurts and pains to be kissed well and petted, while often my heart and head are both aching.
 So many little mouths to feed, so many little limbs to clothe and sew for; eight little feet that are never still to cover with shoes that wear out too fast.
 It is no wonder that Charlie has to wear his coat till it is threadbare, and my only best dress is my old black silk made over again and again, with which lace ruffles at the wrists and throat, and Aunt Marston's legacy forms my gala'day toilet.
 I would not complain to myself but Charlie looks so pale and tired, and his cough gets worse and worse every day. If he could only go into the country for month or two, the doctor says, rest himself, keep in the open air, drink plenty of milk and take plenty of gentle exercise, such as a little rowing or rid ing, he could get well.
 My head aches with thinking how to get the money that will save Charities fife. My darling husband, so devoted, SO unselfsh, dePriying himself of even the smallest indulgence for me and our little ones!
 l think bitterly on the unequal distri- button of the good things of this world; so few have all, and so many have nothing; but when say so, Charlie laughs and says I'm little communist, dan gerous character, and should be sup pressed.
 As usual, while am sitting sewing am devising a thousand impracticable schemes; when my reyerie is interrupted by nay elder boy, Robert.
 "Oh mamma! see those beautiful ponies"
 l look cut and see a phseton drawn by a span of black ponies, and seated at her ease, her lap-dog beside her, l recognize nv cousin, Lucinda Marston.
 How circumstances have changedl She and her dog in my place. ] and my children living life of priyationl My husband dying for the need ofthe money she layishes on her horses and dog in 8 week.
 l cannot help Q reproaehful feeling toward my aunt as l reflect on her copri.rions treatment of mo At sight pl