The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1881-03-10


come to every one. One bitter night in
December Toms house caught fire and
burned to, the ground. nothing being
left except few clothes belonging to
Prissy and the baby.
Of course Mrs. Baldwin opened her
house to them at once. though it neces-
Stated much crowdmg. Prlssy sug-
gested an appeal to Miss Silence, but
Tom emphatically declined to make it.
He was far too proud to ask for the help
which ne thought should have been
earnestly offered. His last books and
papers had all been destroyed in the
fire; for he had used room in the cot
tage for an office, and getting living
was rather uphill work. Christmas was
dreary enough that year, and even Pris-
sy's courage sank ct the thought Of the
future.
"Tom Lowey will have chance to
show what kind Of stuff he's made Of"
said Miss Silence. "He burdened him
self with wife and baby, and he'll have
to look out for 'em. told him I'd never
give him a dollar of my money, and I'll
keep my word, no matter What hap
pens"
Miss Silence had thought herself proof
against the weakness of falling ill but
in March she caught O. severe cold, and
pneumonia ensued She felt she never
should get we'll again, and the doctor
told her frankly that in all probability
she would live but q few days.
I want to see the lawyer at once, il
that is the ease" she said. "I must
make new will"
MIR. Simons, who had managed her
business for years, came as soon as he
received her message, and the will was
made. He hardly left tho house before
Tom called.
"Im worse" said Miss Silence, feeb-
ly, but I'm not afraid to go. Per
haps I'm peculiar in that as in other
things. Deacon Bonney and the minis
ter, Mr.. Craig and Mr.. Darby have all
esms essn here tod sn eaeb Of e ther d conse
the matter"
"Will they be disappointed, Cousin
SlenceP" asked Tom.
Poor fellow he was in such a sore
strait that he could not help desire tc
have some small help from his Cousins
hoard. He hardly dare hope she had
left him a cent, and yet he was her only
relative.
"That remains to be seen," was the
question. "But don't you cherish no
hopes, for J. amt left you cent"
A bitter smile curled Toms lips, but
he made no reply.
81 suppose you think me peculiar in
not leavin' you my money, seein' you
are the only kin I've got" went on Miss
Silence, but you've taken such pre-
clous care to convince me that You don't
want it, that I've believed you and acted
accordin'."
Tom went home and repeated the con-
versatlon to Prissy, who shed few tears,
but tried to cheer her husbands droop-
ing spirits with hopes of more law bust
ness in the spring.
That night Miss Silence died, and the
whole town turned out to her funeral
few days later.
~ expect Wolfboro Academy will find
itself able to erect new building when
Miss SilencQ's will is read" said old Mr..
Craig. "She's told me she'd consider
the matter, and L know she was i'm
pressed with my arguments"
II rather think you are mistaken, T"
said Squire Darby, "for I feel rnoraliy
certain she has left her money to found
library"
The minister, who stood near, smiled
to himself. He had not the slightest
doubt that the debt which hung over his
church like pail would now be lifted
through Miss Silence's will.
Iom dld not want TO go TO tnereadln8
of the important document, but Prissy
insisted, 30 they went together, though
neither of them looked very cheerful.
Mr.. Simons made no objection to the
presence of Squire Darby. Mr.. Craig
and the minister chuckled as Deacon
Bonney entered with q pleasant smile
for Tom, who we'll knew what sarcastic
triumph lay beneath it,
The will was dated three days pre-
vious, and every penny in the bank, and
tho large farm we're left uncOnditiOnalIy
to Pressy Lowey. Her husbands name
was not mentioned.
Toms face was study, while Prissy
almost tainted from the sudden relief to
all her trouble.
The faces OF the other men present
were studies, too. The deacon left the
house without word, and the Squire
looked grimly at Mr.. Craig.
"She was very peculiar woman, /"
said the minister, wiping his brow, on
which the beaded drops of perspiration
stood thickly. His anxiety about his
church had been very groat, you see.
But Tom and Prissy could afford to
forget their dead cousins peculiarities,
since she had kept her VOW never to give
Tom o cent, and yet had managed to
make him comfortable for life. There
was an immediate fitting to tho comfort.
able ffaagm-h house. and Tlom furnished q
morning in the spring wagon. Past
troubles and cares were forgotten, the
Baldwins were made more comfortable,
and, considering all things, Miss 81
lence did more good with her money
than II she had left it to found library
or lift church debt.
Authorizations Of Food.
The liberty guaranteed by this great
Republic is O fine subject for Fourth of