The Red Cloud chief., 1882-01-19

Meanwhile the great Stephen was
pacing up and down his room like .
hyena Of the laughing sort He
was a practical man. and examined his
position by the help of that far-famed
common sense of his. Ii he attacked
the will its provisions would be quoted
in all the newspapers, and he should
become the laughing-stock to an un-
feeling community; in all likelihood,
too, the will would be set aside and the
property would be divided equally
among the deceased's relatives. Wa
it wise to incur such a risk? An hours
penance tor TO, 600 4 year was not too
much. To be sure, there was the whip
ping. but that would not take long.
Mr.. Umberglowth tried to recollect the
sensations of his last corporal punish
ment at school, but reflection convinced
him that the more he thought upon the
stripes the less he would like them, and
that if he mean to go through the pen
ance he a better get the bus ness over
at nee. So with a sudden impulse he
ran down stairs AMI informed his smil-
inc relatives that he intended 10 submit
TO the ordeal.
The poor wretch even endeavorcd to
be j~ocular, hoping thereby to appear
less ridiculous. He caught up a news
paper and made himself n fOofs-cap;
then he called for a Bible. pumped
down on his knees and began TO read
aloud. 1t must be owned. however,
that he looked more than evcr like a
hyena as he growled out: judgments
are prepared for scorncr and stripes for
the backs Of fools" Even the demure
Mrs. Gloam had TO cram her handkcr-
chief into her mouth and retire prcc!pi-
lately from the room.
The great, but now discounted, Ste
phen continued to read, under the sus-
tanning reelection that he IA earning
600 a yea per minute, and no inter
ruption arose until towards the end of
the hour. when Doddlcs. the coachman,
entered with a newly-made rod Of large
size and evident suppleness. Mr.. Pur-
kin had just read him the will, and the
worthy fellow was quite moved.
Trust me sir. FL lay it on proper
~" he exclaimed, as he rolled up his
shirtslceveS, There isn't anything
wouldn't do for my old masters sake"
Hold your tongue, YOU idiot"
reared Mr.. Umberglowth. and he gave
an anticipatory wriggle as he spoke.
Beg pardon, sir, no otiensc was
meant" said Doddles. In wait till
you're ready"
al think the hour is up now" re-
marked the lawyer, timidly, as he
looked at his watch. 'Perhaps-h'm
the ladies would like TO withdraw"
| The ladies did withdraw. and SO did
the gentlemen who had not been de-
puted To witness the execution. They
went into the next room and waited
in silence. Soon the sounds that fell
on their cars convinced them that Dsd-
dies was laboring diligently to deserve
his fee.
The punishment was over. Thegreat
and plump Stephen hal born il Stoical-
ly-o-, 1T any rate. without bawling.
But Il few moments afterward n sudden
shout of CONSERVATION and anger arose.
Ii drew Dennis Callingclereto the door,
and made all the others troop in after
him rs soon rs they were tod that they
could intrudc with propricty.
What had happened was this: When
Doddles had discharged his task (Which
truly seemed 10 have been a labor of
love TO him), he drew from his pocket
a folded paper, saying to the heir whom
he had chastened:
beg pardon, sir, as | was overhaul
ing the carriage when we returned
from the funeral found this in one OF
the pockets"
why, it's another will" shrieked
Stephen, forgetting the smart of his
stripes in this new shock.
81 desSay. sir. My poor master
must have put it there the last time he
went for an airing, ten days ago. He
had told me To drive to Mr.. Purkin's.
but half way there he felt so bad that
we had TO drive back, and he was un-
conscious when we lifted him out of the
carriage"
Confusion and curSes.." beloved
Stephen Umberg.owth. rs he opened
the document and scrutinized its con-
tents. "Why-why, this will divides
the property among us in four equal
parts. Thcn-thcn | have submitted
to this indignity, this mOnstrous in
dignity for nothing"
lie clenchcd his fists and strobe
towards Noddles, rs if he would have
pulvcrized him, but his niece Alice
laid a soothing hand on his arm.
Never mind, Uncle Stephen, you
will have got something more by the will
than any of us, after all.-Londnn Truth