Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1884-02-16
THE UNFINISHED WILL.

We had been driving out some miles
in the afternoon, and, coming home in
the twilight, passed q substantial-look-
ing though very old farm house, with
comfortable barns and out buildings in
dicating well.to-do householder. The
rich bottom lands which stretched away
O 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. I asked the Judge: ITO
whom does that farm we passed on the
level belong?'
The Judge is not and never was on
the bench. Yet long as had known
him, and that was long time, he had
been called the "j1dge" by all the
country people, be, . lse it was an es
tablished fact of ancient date that he
decided most Of the disputes and diff
ferences, commercial and social,
which arose in that part of the
country. 1t is frequently the case, as
here, that one man in scattered com
munity is the recognized adviser, to
whom the people can go. My old friend
had inherited this position from his
father, who had been to former gen.
Grafton what the son now was to his
neighbors. They came to him on all
occasions when they needed counsel,
and he did the work of half dozen
lawyers. No one had died or could die
comfortably and leave property, I'M
,ess his will had been drawn by
Judge" He had the perfec.
confidence of all. Living from
youth up among them know
to be man of extended education
whose life was passed in study, but VIII
was also practical farmer of grea'
skill and success, haxing large propert,
and always giving his advice and ser
vices as a matter of friendship and
neighborly kindness, and not for fee or
reward, his position was one of COM
handing influence. His influence was
commanding, too, for the reason that
he almost never exerted it. He took no
prominent part in politics, but in the
old times, before the war, there were o.
least 200 voters in the town, and many
more in the county, who could give no
other reason for their votes than this.
that they voted as the Judge voted.
/ have said that he drew the wills for
people who had property. This was no
small generosity, for it involved much
time and often great Inconvenience. But
the Judge was an essential part OF the
social structure in that town, and quietly
performed what he regarded as the duty
and pleasure of his position.
When 1 asked him who was the
owner of that farm he laughed outright,
and after moments pause said: Il
will tell you a story"
"One stormy winter night, after mid
night, VAS sitting here reading, the
rest of the family having gone to sleep
long before, when old DR.. Strong
Numbered OF the door-knocker, and
made noise enough to wake the Seven
Sleepers. 1t is way he has, and
neither my wife nor the girls, who were
aroused out of slumber, nor myself,
had any question who was at the door.
let him in myself, and tempest of
w.nd 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 80
that it broke tho chimney and blazed
up to colored tissue paper affair which
Susie had put over the shade, set it on
fire, and for - moment threat
ened general confagration OF papers
and books ON the table. Shut
the door YOURSELF T 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 told him to find his
way to the library, fcr ke knew it, and l
went off in search OF another lamp,
"When ] eame bac!. 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 aow only on
stimulants. Size wants to make will.
and have come for you
IA nice night 1 said. for two
mile drive, to make a will for IL woman
who hasn't cent III the world to leave.
Why didn't you tell her so, and have
done with it?'
"'Now, look here said the doctor.
this is case of an old woman and an
cid peighbor and friend, and she
wants you to do something for her, and
you'll do it, ii it's only 10 comfort her
asst hours. Get your things and come
with me- We shall not find her alive
if you don't hurry, and you'll be sorry
if that happens
'"The upshot of it was that l went.
We had fearful drive out to the farm
house on the fat, which you are asking
about. Mrs. Norton was the widow
Of John Norton, who had died forty
odd years before this. John Norton
when Ls married her was widower
with one son, John, He was man of
considerable property, and when he
died left 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 tine family.
I found the old lady lying in the
big room, on great bedstead on one
side of the room. opposite to the broad
chimney, in which was roaring fire,
the only light in the room. After the
doctor had spoken to her and admin
istered something, stimulant l sup
pose, he came over to me and said in