The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-10-14

pable start. and was evidently i'm
pressed by the coincidence. but among
the rest of the audience there was a
general expression of incredulitv, with
good deal of head-shaking and some
murmurs.
"Well, gentlemen, must say th;t
Mr.. Popplewelrs account is perfectly
straightforward" interposed the law
yer, who. whatever his private opinions
might have been, probably thought it
prudent as matter of business to side
with Silas.i ''Testators frequently Re-
woke their wills in the manner lie
scrbed. If it is any consolation to You.
gentlemen, l may mention that as far
as you are concerned the existence Of
the will would have made no difference
to YOU"
~WDl you tell us, Mr.. Lawyer, who
win get the money, supposing whatAfr.
Silas says is true" inquired a voice in
an aggrieved tone.
mir. Popplewell will inherit every
thing as neXt-of-kin and heir.at-law,"
replied the lawyer
This information elected loud cho-
rus of Indignation, and many insulting
epithets were leveled at the head OF the
luckless Silas, who. pale and trembling,
realized that his triumph was dearly
bought, even at the price of $4,000.
Suddenly the strident tones of Mrs.
Draycott became audible above the up.
roak and compelled attention.
p The old villain has broke faith with
me, and a sneaking scoundrel he al
ways was, and so he died." cried she,
speaking under strong excitement
"But I'm no longer bound to keep his
secret, and won't. | say, Bill Ailenr
she exclaimed, appealing to one of The
mourners. "you ought to know me,
though it. thirty years and more since
l was supposed to have died. You rec
ollect Poll Saunders that old Joe Pop
plewell married when he was working
at the railway down Liverpool wayP'
"Why, surelyr' calculated the in.
dividual referred to. AYE, it's Poll,
sure enohghn' be added, shading his
eyes with his hand. Isl
Il was his lawful wife,, Mr.. Reeves,
and he knew it," she explained, turn
ing to the astonished solicitor. eHe
deserted me years ago and married a
lady-Mra Silas mother. l found him
out again by 8ccdent quite recently,
and promised to keep his secret on con
dition that he would provide for me by
his will. But he has been false to me
as he was years ago, and now won t
keep silence any longer" If3k
"This is most serious" said the
solicitor, turning to Silas, who stood
aghast with horror and amazement,
"if this-this lady can prove her mar
rage"
"Oh! / have proofs. took care of
that" interposed the SOi-djSant Mrs.
Draycott, drawing an oblong slip OF
paper from her bosom and handing il
to the lawyer Read that and look at
what | made him sign on the back"
1T is marriage certificate" said
Mr.. Reeves, glancing at it; and turning
it over he read aloud as follows:
|, Joseph Popplewell, do acknowl-
edge that my housekeeper, Mrs. Dray-
colt, is my lawful wife, which | married
IS, and l, Mary Popplewell, or Dray-
colt, do hereby swear that if my hus-
band, Joseph Popplewell, leaves me
$4,000 by his will, will keep his mar
rage secret.
+" This extraordinary document pur-
ports to, be signed by both part es,''
added the lawyer, handling the paper
reverently, land L must say that upon
the face of it, taken in conjunction with
the certificate, it appears to be incon-
testible evidence. HafH
"Who gets the money now. theng'
demanded the same person who had
asked the question before. i ....
"Well, gentlemen, am sorry to, say
that Mr.. Silas Popplewell being unfort.
unately for himself. nulliuS illus, OF
Legitimate, can inherit nothing" re.
piled Mr.. Reeves. 1.-The. estate will,
therefore, be divided between the law.
full widow of the deceased and his next
of kin, according to the statute"
The excitement of the audience al
this announcement found vent in a
hoarse cheer, in the midst of which poor
Silas sank into chair in half faintine
condition. He now understood-too
late, alas!-what had caused his father
suddenly to make WILL and he was
also keenly conscious of the fact that
having borne witness to its alleged rev.
ocation, it was out of the question tc
endeavor TO set it up again. He was
aroused from his bitter reflections by
the touch of the housekeeper upon his
shoulder. I.~r .0f ..
"Cheer up, my lad" she said rough
ly, but not unkindly: II did not know
it would be so bad for you as this, and
| don't pity you less because L suspect
you've brought it on yourself. Now,
won't make any rash promise, because
| don't know how much money Pm go
ing to get But you shall have the
$4,000 you grudged to me, even if
don't receive a farthing more"
The Newport NeVs says of Mrs.