St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-09-16

tune, and out of this large fortune he
generously proposed to make the fam
lily generous yearly allowance, be-
sides which came many gifts from the
married sisters, whose husbands had
prospered, and thereupon been Obliged
By their wives to share their prosperi-
ty with us, that we might live at least.
as Minerva expressed it, "with elegant
economy" And so we were not en-
tlrely dependant upon our lodger for
1 deserts and several other things.
But to go back. ''He is not an old
nuisance" said l, Indignantly. ''He
is a kind-hearted old man, and Pm
very fond of him.
Good gracious ?n
"1es, Miss Ethel" l went on, 'I re-
peat 1t, am very fond of him. And if
my aunt will allow mel am sure nv
uncle will will take all the extra
care resulting from his sickness upon
myself, and no one else shall be annoy
ed IN the least. After living beneath
our roof for two years, and contribu-
ting so bountifully to our comforts
you needn't glare ut me, Cleanthe; he
has, for am quite certain no one else
would have paid us so liberally-it
would be the basest ingratitude, not
to say cruelty, to send him among
strangers now that he most needs care
and Kindness
Are you quite through, Miss Rey-
n0lds !" asked my aunt, sarcastically.
81 had no idea you were so eloquent,
never having heard you preach before.
But of one thing am determined: YOU
shall not call in our doctor to your pa
tlent. He is perfect aristOcrat, and
has no idea we keep lodger, and do
not wish him to know"
There's a young saw-bOnes a few
doors below" drawled my youngest
gentleman cousin, who resented nv
waiting upon any one but himself;
'he'll do for your fine Old-nuisance.n
That very evening Mr.. Griffin had a
bad turn, and l sent for the "young
saw-bones few doors below in great
haste. He proved to be DR.. Rice,
frank looking, brown haired, gray
eyed, broad brOwed young man, with
gentle voice, and quick, light step.
And the old gentleman, taking a great
fancy to him, decided on retaining him
"a decision that relieved me greatly,
bearing in mind as did my aunt's en-
barge III regard to our family physi-
clan.
And from that time for three months,
although very seldom confined to his
bed, our lodger never had well day. |
AT the end of the three months, how |
ever, he began to mend slowly, and at |
the end of two more was on his feet |
again. And then he told me he had |
made up his mind to return to En-
gland.
81 am sorry, very sorry, to part with
you," | replied. ''But it is right that
you should 60" ......
"Well said, Little Honesty. And
now let's begin to pack" said he.
DR.. Rice and l went with the old
gentleman to the steamer that was to
carry him away, and waved last fare
well to him-in the midst of crowd
also waving last farewells from the
pier, as the vessel slowly moved out
into the stream: and then we returned
letters he had placed in our respective
hands with his final gOod-by.
Mine read in the privacy of my
own room at first; and when | had
partly recovered from my astonishment
and delight, | flew down stairs, called
the family together, and read it to
them. 1t was as follows:
DEAR LITTLE HONESTY Had died
which didn't, thanks under God to
you and DIR. Rice-I should have left |
each of my dear young friends ten
thousand dollars in my will. But hav-
ing lived, l am going to do a much
pleasanter thing-I am going to give
them the ten thousand at once. My |
lawyer will see you both tomorrow.
AMOS GRIFFIN.
p. 81 have also left slight be-
quest to Miss Ethel Egbert. She will
find it on the lower shelf of the closet |
in the room | occupied when | was her
cousin DorOthea's lodger."
Ethel for once forgot her graceful, |
gliding step. She started hastily for
the stairs, but her youngest brother
was before her, and she was fain to
turn back again as he slid down the
baluster, and landed in our midst with
something in his arms.
1t was a large framed photograph of
Amos Griffin, with card attached
bearing these words, "An excellent
picture of 'An Old Nuisance"
7