The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1882-10-13
MIDDLEBURY, VT. OCTOBER 10, 1882.

housckecpcr, cxciicdly. "Why, | saw
it with my own eyes not n month
ago"
"When did he destroy it? Who seed
i'm do p inquired a voice from among
the mourncrs.
ale destroyed it in my presence last
let me scc-last Thursday week. |
fetched it at his request from the iron
box, and he put it in the fire of his own
free will" said Silas, lying glibly.l
Though affecting TO recall the date
promiscuously, Silas had been careful
to prepare this story beforehand. On
the day named he had sat with his
father alone more than an hour during
the afternoon, while Mrs. Draycott had
been sent out on an GRAND. the de.
ceased had intended TO destroy the will
he would probably have got the woman
out OF the way on similar prctonoo,
and the suggestion was plausible
enough. The housekcepcr gave pal
|
ed by the coincidence, but among the
rest of the audience there was general
expression of incredulity, with good
deal of hcadshaking and some murmur-
ing.
"Well, gentlemen, / must say that
MIR. Popplcwells account is perfectly
straightforward" inicrposed the law
yer, who, whatever his private opinions
might have been, probably thought it
prudent as matter OF business to side
with Silas. "Tcstaiors frequently re-
woke their wills in the manner doscii5-
ed. If it is any consolation to you,
gentlemen, | may mention that as tar
as you are concerned the eXis;ancc of
the will would have made no diflcrance
to YOU"
will get the money, supposing what Nj.
Sias says is true" inquired a voice in
an aggravated tone.
"Mr. Popplcwel will inherit every
thing as next of Kin and heir at law"
replied the lawyer.
This information excited a loud
chorus of indignation, and many INSULT
ing cpilhcts were levclcd at the head OF
the luckless Sias, who pale and trcmb-
ling, realized that his triumph was
dearly bought, even at tho price Of f2,-
600. Suddenly the slridcnt tones OF
Mrs. Draycott became audible above
the uproar, and compelled attention.
"Thc cid villain has broken faith with
me, and sncaking scoundrcl he al
ways was, and so he died." cried She,
speaking under strong excitement.
"But am no longer bound TO keep his
secret and l wont. say, Bill Allen ~
she exclaimed, appealing to one of the
mourners, "you ought to know mc,
though its thirty years or more since
was supposed TO have died. You rcool-
lcct Poll Saunders that old Joe Popplc
we'll married when he was working AZ
the railway down Liverpool way?"
"Why, surely!" circulated the indi-
vidual referred to. "Aye, It's Poll,
sure enough !" he added, shading his
eyes with his hand.
81 was his lawful wife, Mr.. Reeves.
and he knew it," she explained, lmniug
to the astonishcd solicitor "IIc desert
cd me years ago and married q lady
Mr.. Silas' mother, | found him ont
again by accident recently. and promis-
cd TO keep his secret on condition that
he would provide for me by his will.
But he has been false to me as lie was
years ago, and now won't too" -
..,... any iunScr.
This is m9st nest sGGiogilSs said nd Ihet Stood
aghast with horror and amazemcnt, 'if
this this lady can prove her mar
riagc."
-'Oh, | have proofs, | took care OF
lhat?' iutcrposcd the sol d,Sdm Mrs.
Draycott, drawing an ob'ong slip from
her bosom and handing it ln the law
yer. "Rcad that and look at what ]
made him sign on the back
at is marriage certificate" said
Mr.. Reeves, glancing at it, and turn
ing it over he read aloud as follows:
81, Joseph Popplcwell, do acknowledge
that my housekoeper, Mrs. Draycott, is
my lawful wife which married under
the name of Mary Saunders in IS, and
|, Mary Popplewcll or Draycott, do
hereby swear that if my husband,
Joseph Popplewell, leaves $4,000 by his
will, will keep his marriage secret"
"This extraordinary document pur-
ports to he signed by both parties"
added the lawyer, handling the paper
rcvcrenily, "and must say that upon
the face of it, taken in conjunction with
the certificate, it appears TO be incoutes-
table evidence"
"Who gets the money now, ihen:'
demanded the same person who had
asked the question before.
"Well gentlemen, am sorry TO say
that MIR. Silas Popplewell being unfor-
tunatcly for himself, nullus iilius, illcgi-
timatc, can inherit nothing" replied
Mr.. Reeves. "The estate will, there
fore be divided between the lawful
widow of the deceased aud the next of
kin, according to the statute.
The excitement of The audience at this
announcement found vent in a hoarsc
cheer, in the midst of which poor Silas
sank into chair in half fainting con.
dition. lie now understood too late,
alas what had caused his father sud-
denly to make will and he was also
kcenly conscious of the fact, that having