The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-07-10
THE DIVIDED HOUSE.
Theodore Huxter, at Last, Makes
it a Unit.

When Selucius Huxter had arrived at his
last illness, he proved himself more than
ever in his life troublesome and wearing,
Having suspicion that his condition was
worse than his doctor or children allowed.
be gave them no peace until he had ex.
tracted an admission that such was the
case. Left alone with the doctor, at his re-
quest, he approached him:
aye might as well told me before as let
me lay hero thiRkin' and stewin' about it.
I've lost a sight of strength tryin' to git the
truth from we, and there WANT no need
WALL suppose l amt RELY dyin' now.
while Pm talkin', be IL"
Assured as to that point, he added: "The
reason | wanted to know is because I've
got to fix my concerns so as to leave 'em as
well as can, and all / want of you is that
when you think rm-wall-hf you see
there's goin' to be change, l want you
should tell me, SOS can straighten things
right out and git their consent to it.n
Having promised, the doctor apprised him
as the last moments drew near
"Shoo! want to know Why feel full
as well as did yes'dy, and leetls grain
easier, if any thin"
Il hope this notice does not find you I'M
prepared" observed the doctor.
well, no, I'm prepared as much as l can
be, as you may say. I've been a member
in good and regular st8ndin' this fifty-fve
year-and hain't arrived at my age with
out seeing there's somethin' in life besides
livin'." He paused, then added with an
accent of pride: 81 don't owe any man a
cent nor never cheated man of one.
wall, I've had quite spell to think of
things in durin' my sickness and | don't
know but what I've enjoyed it considera-
BILE. Thought of things all along back to
when was boy. Events come up that
I'd clean forgot.n
The doctor gone, he called mis- children
in.
'Well, Armidy; well, Lucas, the doctor
don't seem to think / shall tucker it out
much longer Wall, naow," he exclaimed
quite vexed, 'Tvow forti if didn't forget to
ask him how long! Wall, too late now.
He's got out of sight, l s'pose."
Armidy stepped to the window and as
sured him of the fact
"Wall, no great matter. list thought if
could git him TO fix the time I'd like to
see how nigh he'd hit it.
"Now, | want to fix the property so'st
you won't have no trouble with it, No use
wastin' money gettin' lawyers here. There
amt no cheatin' nor double-dealin' any
where to be found among the Huxters nor
the Lucases and when you give me your
promises to abide by my last will and testa-
ment shall expect you to hold to it jist
"Naow about the farm and house. The
house, as you know, stands in the middle
line OF the farm, that is, the north ssle has
a leetle the advantage in hevin' the Jabez
Norcross paster tackled onto it, over and
above the south half, but it's near enough
That paster don't count for much. Poorly
thick with sheep laurel Well, SEEM the
land lies Jist as it does, and the house is jist
as IL is, propose to divide il even. Lucas.
you can have tho north half and Armidy
the south, beginnin' rigdt TO the front door
and runnin' right through the house and
right along down TO the river, straight as
you can fetch IL. Do you agree to my
plant"
Armida and Lucas exchanged glances.
You speak, said Lucas in low tone
mo, you" said Armida
What you whisperin' about Props you
think | can't hear because I'm dyin' but
ia have you to know my hearin amt nf-
fected grain. Speak up, now! What is H.
Lucasm
1--WE were thinkn' of Theodore said
Lucas. "You're leavin' him out, seems so. ~
"'Tain't cause forgot him. but give
five year ago-money. and so shan't leave
him any thin. Wouldn't do him no good
If did, y he said to himself
well, we should feel better IL you did,
said Armida. II don't want he should be
left out. Neither would mother if she was
'Pll settle it with your ma when ! see
her Come, now, what do you sayl"
There was long silence, which Arnida
broke by saying:
"S'posin him or me was to want to leave
the place. mean for good-get tired OF
stayin' here to homer
"Wall," said her father, with a chuckle
if either of you feels like givin' your share
to the other, you may | amt goin' &c
leave my old place for either of you to sell
to each other nor nobody else. l expect
you to live ont"
"Well," now objected Lucas "s'posin
one Of us should git married. then how
would it bel"
"Why, live along. Put in and work
leetle harder, may be. This farm carried {
poorly fair number when was younger. Il
you should git too numerous you coulC
build on either side. guess there amt NJ
great danger, nhe added.
As neither offered further objections Mr.
huxter said: There's been talk enough,
s'pose. Do you agree to TYP He waited
while each gave an audible Eyes" "Now,
said he, - hain't an earthly thing to ham
per me-"
The father dead for the brother ant
sister no new life began. Armida still
skinned all the milk and made the butter
looked after Lucas as she had before, anC
Lucas attended impartially 10 the whole o
the farm, and Armida sometimes wondered