The Osceola times., 1881-04-09
AUNT MARSTON'S LEGACY.


referring 10 me.
When my cousin, Lucinda Marston.
handed me the little morocco case, she
could scarcely repress smile OF triumph
as she thought of the difference Il lew
hort weeks mad made in our relative po-
sitions.
had been brought up by Aunt Mar
ston, had lived in ease and luxury all my
life. while my cousin had been obliged
for years 10 earn her own living by sew
ing.
had always looked upon Greylands
as my home, while she had never been
invited to spend even a 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 |, the favorite,
whom she had hated and envied for so
many years, was put of with this insig-
niticant bequest.
After all your toadying,' she said, with
a sneer, il is too bad to be cut off with a
shilling, but if Mr.. Lewis"-t.c other ex-
ecutor-"knows anything about it, they
are worth great many shllings, for he
SAYS they are solid eighteen carat gold,
and that Ormolu, who had them, would
give you ihy dollars for them to-day.
However, you are welcome to them.
And now ! suppose YOU will see the
necessity of looking for another home.
The bitter insulting words, the desc
late, deserted feeling at being thus cruel
~ turned out Of the only home | knew,
overcame the unnatural calmness with
which | had hitherto borne my irrepar-
able loss, and ] threw myself on the bed
and wept as never in my short, happy
life thought it possible could weep.
don't know hsw long it lasted, but
when | became calm, my heart still
ached, but my brain seemed cleared, and
| could look my situation in the face
was no sycophant; | knew that well
for loved my aun, dearly, and had al
ways given her daughters willing de-
votion, without one thought beyond the
present. ] even told Charlie Burnett,
to whom | was engaged with all my
heart, that "we'd better bide a wee
for could not leave my second mother
to spend her last days alone to be cared
for by hirelings.
Aunt Eunice had often said 10 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 felt SO disappointed for
his sake, when | 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 a
piece of statuary, the muscles about her
lips would twitch as if trying to form
words, and the ever-restless eye would
turn on me with an earnest, appealing
look, like the yearning pitiful expression
of dumb animal trying to make its suf
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
would never be an additional burden
on the poor fellow.
| threw down the Jewel case with a
sigh OF disappointment as | thought IT
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 tenderly
away among my other treasures-her
lifts and Charlie's-in the trunk | was
packing.
Alas for the fraity of human resolu-
tons. Charlie would not hear of my
earning my own living, and though he
did not exactly threaten TO commit sui
eide if / refused, he looked so utterly
miserable and forlorn that | was forced
to reconsider my decision.
Charlie and | are quite old married
E.It 81. L
restless bodies tumble about in the small
poor room that serves me as a bedroom,
sitting 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.
1t is no wonder that Charlie has to
wear his coat till il is threadbare, and
my only best dress is my old black silk
made over again and again, with which
lace ruilles at the wrists and throat, and
Aunt Marston's legacy forms my gala.day
toilet.
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 90 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 ~ little rowing or rid
ing, he could get well
Ny head aches with thinking how to
get the money that will save Charles
life. Nv darling husband 30 devoted,
so unseltish, dePriVing himself of even
the smallest indulgence for me and our
little ones!
think bitterly on tine unequal dlstri-
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 Pm little communist, dan
gerous character, and should be sup
pressed.
As usual, while am sitting sewing, |
am deVising thousand impracticable
schemes; when my reyerie is interrupted
by nay elder hoy, Robert.
"Oh mamma. see those beautiful
ponies,'
| look cut and see ph,cton drawn by
span of black ponies, and seated at her
ease. her lap-dog beside her, recognize
nv cousin, Lucinda Marston.
How circumstances have changed. She
and her dog in my place. | and my
children living life of privation. My
husband dying for theneed Of the money
she laNishes on her horses and dog in a
week.
cannot helpa rcproachful feeling
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