Connecticut western news., 1883-11-14

home in the twilight, passed substan- though very old farm house, with comfortable barns and out-build- ings, indicating well-to-do householder. The rich bottom lands which stretched away half mile from the river to the hill slopes, covered with abundant birch | and maple were luxuriant with grain and corn.
 That evening, when we were sitting in the library, after dinner. smoking and chatting, asked the judge:
 'To whom does that farm we passed on the level belong ?"
 When I asked him the question, the judge laughed outright, and after mo- ment's pause, said: ''I will tell you a story.
 cone stormy, winter night, after mid night was sitting here reading, the rest of the family having gone to sleep long before, when old Dr. Strong thundered at the door knocker, and made noise enough to wake the Seven Sleepers. It is way he has, and neither my wife nor the girls, who were reused out of slumber, nor myself, had any question who was at the door. I let him in myself, and tempest of wind and snow with him. The blast that drove him into my arms also put out the hall lights, whirled into the library, and fared the reading lamp so that it broke the chimney, and blazed up to a colored tissue-paper affair which Susie had put over the shade, set it on fire, and for a moment threatened 8 general confagration of papers and books on the table.
 " Shut the door yourself shouted, and rushed back here to put out the fire. That done, went back and found the old doctor out of breath, in the dark, trying to shut the door against the wind. It took the strength of both of us to do it. Then I told him to find his way to the library, for he knew it, and I went off in search of another lamp.
 "When came back, he was just re- covering his wind, and after gasp or two, told me his errand. 'Old Mrs. Norton is dying. She can't live till morning. She's alive now only on stimu- lants. She wants to make will, and I have come for you.
 CA nice night I said, for two mile drive to make will for woman who hasn't cent in the world to leave. Why didn't you tell her so, and have done with it?'
 "sNow, look here,' said the doctor, this is case of an old woman, and an old neighbor and friend, and she wants you to do something for her, and you'll do it, if it is only to comfort her last hours. Get your things and come with me. We shall not find her alive if yon don't hurry, and you'll be sorry if that happens
 "The upshot of it was that I went. We had fearful drive out to the farm house on the fist, which you are asking about. Mrs. Norton was the widow of John Norton, who died forty odd years before this. John Norton, when he married her, was widower with one son, John. He was man of considera- ble property, and when he died left a widow, that son John by his first wife, and two sons by his second wife. The elder son, John, had never been on very warm terms with his stepmother, and for some years had had no intercourse with the family.
 "I found the old lady lying in the big room, on great bedstead on one side of the room, opposite to the broad chim- ney, in which was 8 roaring fire, the only light in the room. After the doc- tor had spoken to her and administered something, stimulant, I suppose, he came over to me and said ina whisper, Hurry up, she's very weak
 'I had brought paper and pen and ink with me, I found 8 stand and a candle, placed them at the head of the bed, and after saying few words to her, told her I was ready to prepare the will, if she would now go on and tell me what she wanted me to do. l wrote the introductory phrase rapidly, and leaning over toward her said Now go on, Mrs. Norton Her voice was quite faint, and she seemed to speak with an effort. She said: First of all l want to give the farm to my sons, Harry and James; just put that down. But, said I, you can't do that, Mrs. Norton; the farm isn't yours to give away
 | "The farm isn't mine !' she said in a voice decidedly stronger than before.
 No, the farm isn't yours. You have only life interest ill it..
 "'This farm that I've run for goin' or forty-three year next spring isn't mine to do what I please with it Why not judge? I'd like to know what you mean?'
 "'Why, MT. Norton, your husband gave you life estate in all his property and on your death the property goes te his son John, and your children get the village houses
 "'And when die John Norton is tt have this house and farm whether I vii or mo-
 "'Just 50. It will be his.
 "'Then ain't going to die,' said tht old woman in a clear and decidedly ringing, healthy voice. And so saying she threw her feet over the front of tho bed, sat up, gathered 8 blanket ant coverlid about her, strengthened up he