River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-02-24
FAITH IRWIN'S LEGACY
MONROE Il. RosENFELp.


"Faithr exclaimed Maud, her sister.
81 always thought Aunt Hester was
rich? Here are nothing but a few gim-
cracks and relics, extremely extrnslc
and ancient !"
She curled her mouth disdainfully.
"There is absolutely nothing desirable
among them all, excepting perhaps this
casket and brooch and the Old family
diamonds. The two former belong to
you, my dear, and the latter have been
kindly bestowed upon your humble
servant, or, in the words of cur dear
and lamented kindred. etc, ''to Maud
elder of my two worthy nieces." She
approached her sister with the brooch
her.
NAY, nay, 1 could not wear it. But
| shall ever treasure it as a dear gift
and Keepsake" said Faith, laying it
away tenderly.
Then the two girls preceded 10 read
the further disposition of the will
There were shawls, Indian and Persian,
antique books, water-color paintings Of
rare art and beauty, silks, linens, laces,
etc, and - a Biblel And, strange
enough, there was an emphasized clause
relating to this book. After detailing
various other articles to the two heir
esses, the will concluded with these
words
"The old family Bible, a legacy and
sacred relic of generations, bequeath
to the one of my believed nieces who
shall read.it the most industriously, and
love it the most fervently; hoping that,
therefore, it will have no individual
possessor, but be shared with mutual
ownership"
"What a great, darling old tome, "
cried Faith, as Harry Rose, her aft
anced husband, placed the important
volume in her hands.
perhaps its very dimensions ac-
counts for our aunt's infinite area of
benevolence," observed Maud. "Ju1g-
ing from her eartl Y residue her benef-
cence must have been astoundinglv
great, especially to her own kith and
kim" she added, sarcastically.
"Fie, fe, sister, how can you speak
so ungratefully"
"These baubles" continued Maud,
apparently unheeding the reproach
and pointing to the diamonds, "consti-
tute, then, the nucleus of our worthy
kindred's specific wealth. Ingratitude's
not |, but when | expend a years in
come on the resetting Of these antique
ornaments, gratitude, / fear, will be
sadly marred by the item of dollars and
cents !" Pausing, she went on
Gas for the much-envied Bible, since
your aunt has made such minute stipu-
lations as to its future career, resign
all claim of it to you, trusting you may
ween from its pages a like magnanimity
of heart as that of its quondam posses
sor."
Saying which Miss Maud Irwin stalk
ed haughti'y from the room.
81 am glad, then, this is not the bone
of contention" said Faith, reverently
carrying the book to her lips. Butt
seems strange, that, whereas every
other article of rirtu is specified, no di-
rect heir to it was named in the will, y
remarked Harry.
"Auntie had such strange notions
eccentricity, they call it. l suppose
that explains her apparent poverty,
which Maud so unjustly censures."
Perhaps"
He was toying with the pages Of the
book as he spoke, when his eye sud
denly caught the hy-leaf Yellow and
faded, yet distinctly visible, were regis
tered line Of names dating back to
the age of a century, and beneath OF
more recent date the following:
Il feel that day will soon come
when must part with this, my dearest
friend on earth. Throughout life this
precious volume has been my sweetest
comfort. Certain beautiful passages
therein have inspired me to make oc-
casional note on the margin of its
pages, bringing to mind dear and fam
liar text, of my childhood / entreat
We, my beloved nieces, to read these
carefully, for every hour spent with
God reaps a harvest of gain, and in
this godly book are hidden treasures
dear to the hearts of mortal
HESTER HARDING PRYMM."
Boston, 1874
Eccentric, surely, but you will do
50, Faith?"
81 will, indeed.
The dreary autumn and the snow
robed winter days sped by, and once
more beauteous spring burst forth in
all her glory.
And during all the long, weary
months, Faith had kept her covenant,
studying the leaves Of her sacred leg
acy with patience and fervor. Indeed,
she had become so attached TO the Old
book that the reading of it was t0 her
now a sweet delight
One lovely morning she sat reading
a chapter of Proverbs. Thus far had
she advanced since the memorable day
of the will, ever and anon reading with
interest the notes she occasionally came
across.
The chapter before her was the
twentyfrst, but s5e had come 10 an
abrupt pause at the twenty-frst verse:
"He that followeth after righteousness
and mercy fndeth life, righteousness
and honor" for on the left blank Of the
page were added and underlined these
strange words "and riches. See with
in the cover of this Bible !"
At first Faith could not clearly com
prehend the import of these strange
words. Mechanically she turned to
the lid of the book
A sudden falntness came over me
girl, as the mystery slowly begin I'M
travelling itself.
Pale, yet calm, she proceeded to look
about the swollen cover for an opening,
when suddenly her eyes fell upon a
worn lap, carefully doubled and fasten
ed down over the binding.
With beating heart she took tiny
knife and began loosenlng the spread
ing that held it firm. Once, twice,
thrice she uphfted the creased fold,
then turned back the limp cover.
There, trembliDgly, the eyes Of the |
bewildered girl beheld mass Of papers |
stitched to the side of the book, each |
sheet revealing as she took it from its
place, 81 900 y. s. government bond, |
stamped and dated with its bunch Of
glittering coupons, drawing the nation
al interest from the time il was issued |
And as the last golden paper was drawn !
forth, Faith, dazed and bewildered,
counted them; and there they were
ten of them
Ten thousand of dollars, bearing their |
interest for six years. And as she |
placed the last bond upon the heap, she
saw written on its back these words:
q Respice fncm"
Look to the end" muttered Faith;
/" can it be then light broke unto
her, and, awed and trembling, she
turned to the rear cover of the book,
and there, likewise, fast to its sides was
Il. L -