The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1885-08-22

you must take a long rest. Father
will be mighty glad to see you. We're
living at the farm now. He's foreman
of the factory. You wouldn't know
the old place; it's changed good deal
since you were there. Pm Just going
up to the store to get some things, and
If you will wait here, I'll hurry and
give you a ride back"
"Thank you' said Kent, gratefully.
And the girl, touching the pony with
her whip, drove on.
''She at least is honest and sincere"
unused Kent, leaning on the bridge rail
and gazing into the water. "She al
ways was straightforward and out
spoken, and she's grown to be a very
beautiful woman"
There was school of little fish Just
under the edge of the bridge, and
ne amused himslf by watching their
playful gambols, until the pony came
trotting back.
Then he clambered in beside the girl,
and, under the influence of her CHEEKY
manner his face frightened, and he
talked freely about himself and his adj
ventures.
The girl listened eagerly, and, when
he finished, answered his many ques-
tions.
II supposed Hill Farm is still owned
by my cousin ?" he asked,
Eyes, Nick Warner is still master,
and as mean as ever. He's getting
richer every day, what with the farm,
and the factory, and the orchard.
But he gets no pleasure out of his
money, and works every day like a
slave. He's cutting down all the
woodland, and this morning gave or
ders that the big elm that overhangs
the eastern corner of the house be
felled.D
Chats a pity" said Kent. at
was my uncle's favorite tree. My
great great grandfather, who was an
officer in Washington's army, planted
it. | have heard the story often. One
day he entertained the Father of his
Country and some officers in the old
mansion. They rode over from the
headquarter of the Continental army,
which was then at Danvers. Gen.
WashingtOn's riding whip was a small
elm branch. When he started to 60
back, my great great grandfather no.
ticed 1t, and presented the general
with his own riding whip. In remem-
brance of the Father of his Country,
he planted the elm branch and it grew
to be a great tree. | would have
valued it, but my Cousin Warner is
not man of poetic temperament, and
would very quickly sacrifice family
relic, if it added to his revenues"
These reflections led Kent into a
reminiscent vein, and he RECALLED his
fair listener with stories and quaint
anecdotes of his ancestors, who had
been among the first settlers and had
been prominent men in the infant col
ony.
eff your uncle had only made an
other will before he died, as everybody
believed he intended to do" said the
girl, whenhe finished, ''you would have
been master at Hill Farm"
YES" he answered, with a sigh OF
regret, and relapsed into silence.
When the pony turned into the
aforementioned carriage road, which
led by the graveyard where lay the
bones of his ancestors for many gen
erations and finally mounted the lit
tie hill, on whose brow the tenant
house was built, Ella Osborne noticed
that there were tears in her compan-
ions eyes and her hand touched his
with womanly sympathy.
81 am sorry, John" she said, ''that
it makes you feel so bad"
~ am all right now" he answered
bravely, dashing away the tears; and
jumping from the wagon, he walked
through the neglected grounds to the
great elm tree, at whose base two
sturdy woodmen were industriously
chopping.
He watched them awhile with misty
eyes, and was about turning away
when an exclamation from one OF the
choppers caught his ear, and caused
him to approach nearer.
81 swan, Sim" said the man to his
companion; "we've had our labor for
our pains. The old treeis only shell,
and it is fit for nothing but stove
wood"
1.-The boss will be as mad as a hor-
metz vouchsafed the other.
And they resumed their cutting.
Like my hopesn' murmured John
Kent, watching them. "The old tree
is a delusion."
Presently 1t began to totter, and the
choppers had Just time to lump to one
side when it fell with a great crash,
and twigs and bits of bark flew in all
directions.
One OF the men climed up It's hollow
trunk and began looping off the
limbs.
John Kent stepped forward, intend
ing to ask for piece of the old tree
as a souvenir, when the man among
the limbs dropped his AK and jumped
excitedly to the ground.
"Ho, Jimr' he cried. "Here is a tin
box wedged into the forks. Maybe
there's gold in it, for old Sam. Kent
was considerable OF a miser, and this
may be some of his store"
THAT is certainly a box that be-
lOnged to my uncle" said Kent ap-
preaching. II am Mr.. Kent's neph-
ew."
The man who had discovered the
box, pulled it from its hiding place.
and muttering something about
Findings being keepings," passed it
over to Kent.
With trembling hands the Young
man wrenched off the rusty lid, and
the men bent forward eagerly to see
what 1t contained.
Only a bundle OF papers, yellow
with age, and tied together with
faded piece OF blue ribbon.
"Only yapersH they criedin chorus,
and turned away in disgust.
John Kent, however, seized the pack
age, and brushing aside the mold read
this Endorsement on the back OF the
topmost paper:
Last VIII and Testament of Samuel Kent. Yeo
man.
Found at last" he cried, ioyfulIy.
Thank heaven"
He dropped the empty box, and
waving thepapers triumphantly in the
ar, ran toward Ella Osborne, who was
advancing to meet him.
The Will Is fOundr' he cried.
And both, very much excited, pro-
ceeded TO deeipher the Grabbed writing
OF the mOuidV document