Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-04-27

what il should be.
Two or three days Gfterwsrd, rs left
home before daylight to catch an early
morning train, the newspapers OF the
day struck the front door as i opened
it. and recognized the figure of the
retreating carrier as that of Marston. i
also helrd a cough that made me APP
prehensive as to the health OF my news
man. For Il moment was inclined to
follow him and warn him against i'm
prudence, but had no time to spare.
so / hurried to my train.
On my return; two days later, I found
that Marston's son had called several
times within few hours. immedi-
ately hurried to the shop, but finding
it closed, went on to Marston's resi-
dence. Mrs. Marston received mo at
the door. .r--
81 am afraid your husband has suf-
fered a relapse" said l.
Yes" said she, "and isn't it too
bad? He was to have got me pass
to IS benefit tonight. I'm dread.
fully disappointed.
Tho moment saw Marston feared
that tho end had como. His face was
strained, his eyes bloodshot, and he
broathed with difficulty. His boy knelt
by the bedside, with one arm thrown
across his father, and with more sorrow
and apprehension in his face than /
ever saw in human countenance before.
Where is the physician p l a1ked.
"He-why. Ellis did not think he
needed one, and I agreed with him he
seems only to have heavy cold, and
has been doctoring himself"
l sent his boy for my own doctor,
who lived only few squares away.
The little fellow was loath to go, but
something that l whispered toi him
sent him Off in haste, only TO return
with word that the doctor was not in.
Meantime responded TO an invitation
from Marston's eyes, and leaned over
him.
Excuse me-" he gasped; "but L
have no friends-no relativea-any.
where near. WIN you-be-my eIecu.
tori
Certainly" replied. He drew
from beneath his pillow piece Of paper
that proved to be a will, very short but
to the point.
Witnesses quick |" ho whispered,
hoarsely.
l turned quickly toward his wife,
but he seized my arm and said Don't
frighten-her. Let me-die-if peace"
/ excused myself for "A moment TO
Mrs. Mars.on, who was reading the
evening paper, and hurried downstairs
for witnesses, returning almost at once
with a grocer from the nearest corner
and policeman whom l persuaded TO
leave his beat. Then Mrs. Marston
was alarmed, but stood helplessly in
the background as the dying man signed
his will and the two men affixed their
signatures.
When the witnesses departed, Mrs.
Marston asked mo what was the mat
ter. and when | told her that her hus
band had thodght it only proper to
make a will, rs he should have done
before falling sick. sho calculated
oh = in a reaqsurel tone, and said
that the scene had reminded her OF one
that she had seen in some play.
resumed my position at the bed
side. kneeling to catch the words that
Marston found hard to utter The boy,
on returning, knelt also and took his
fathers hand.
" The stock-and-good will of-ihe
shop-ought-to give-her enough TO
bury me aud-ges her back-so-her
family. Advise her--to go-to them
She-is good woman-but New York's
no place for-hsr. Ny boy"
Just hero Marston's voice failed him;
he struggled, thrust one arm toward a
chair near the bed and took a small
bottle. I took il from him, saw
"Brandy" on the label. poured its en-.
tire contents into a glass and helped
him to raise his head so as to drink It..
IA soon rs his head touched the pillow
again, he whispered
my boy-he Is noble fellow.
What will become-of him, God-God
only knows. His mother knows nothing
about boys-and she can't seem to
learn. Would you watch him-a little,
and save him IL you--can He's wort h
all that-can be done for him"
did not know what I could do in
the future, but looked into Marston's
eyes, aud then into the boys, and put
one arm around the little fellow. and
drew him close TO my side his father