Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-02-02
THE OLD LADY BEAT JOHN.
THE JUDGES STORY ABOUT THB
WILL THAT WASN'T FINISHED.

THE JUDGES STORY ABOUT THB
WILL THAT WASN'T FINISHED.
Alter Fearful Drive Of TIVE siiles en n
stormy Night 3liniseer e 4 Dyins
Woman She Decides te Live - spite
John.
The judge and l had been driving out
some miles in the afternoon, and coming
home In the twilight, passed q substan-
tial-looking, though very old farm house,
with comfortable barns and out build
ings, indicating weil-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 an6
chatting, l asked the judge:
''To whom does that farm we passed
f, on the level belong?"
When l asked him the question, the
Judge laughed outright, and after mo-
ments pause, said: II will tell you
story.
Zone stormy, winter night, after mid
night was sitting here reading, the rest
of tie 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 ont of
slumber, nor I myself, had any question
who was at the door. / 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 tho
shade, set it on fire, and for a moment
threatened general conhagration Of
papers and books on the table.
Shut the door YOURSELF 1 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, for he knew it,
and / went off in search Of another
lamp.
'When I 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 l
have come for you.'
"'A nice night I said, for two
mile drive to make will for a woman
who hasn't cent in 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
old neighbor and q friend, and she
wants you to do something for her, and
you'll do it, if it is only to comfort he1
last hours. Get your things and come
with me. We shall not find her alive i
you don't hurry, and you'll be sorry i
that happens
1.-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 o
John Norton. who died forty odd year
before this. John Norton, when h
married her, was widower with On.
son, John. he was q man of considera
BILE property, and when he died left
widow, that son John by his first wife
and two sons by his second wife. tn
, older son, John, had never been ON yer
, warm terms with his stepmother. an
for some years had had no intercours
with the family.
II found the old lady lying in the bi
, room, on great bedstead on one sid
of the room, opposite to the broad chin
ney, III which was roaring fire, tn
only light in the room. After the do<
tor had spoken to her and administers
. something, stimulant, suppose, h
:, Hurry up, she's very weak.
Il had brought paper and pen an
) ink with me, found stand and
Il candle placed them at the bead Of th
! bed, and after saying fe
: words to her, told her l was ready
prepare the will, if she would now go {
and tell me what she wanted me to d
l wrote the Introductory phrase rapid
and leaning over toward her sal
e Now go on, Mrs. Norton Her vol
. was quite faint, and she seemed to spes
Il with an effort She said: First Of &
= want to give the farm to my son
) Harry and James jus. put tha, down
Is But, said I. 'vou cant DO that, MI
= Norton: the farm isn't yours to q
'e away.
q a. The farm ism. mine she said
= voice decidedly stronger than before
. No, the farm isn't yours. u