The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-09-11
IN A GARRETT.
BY JULIA A. SABINE.

When old Squire Marcy dled, having
lived twenty years beyond his allotted
time, the neighbors we're very curious as
to the existence of will. For il there
we're none, the "girls" would have to
give up their home and edo something
for living" The little farm, which had
yielded comfortable living for three
persons, when sold and it's proceeds
divided among ten would give but pit
lance to each. 1t was generally conceded
that ait would come hard on the girls"
esquire Marcy was always good
provider," said Mrs. Denison to her hus-
band, who hoped to administer" the
estate if no will was found. "Sabra or
Cynthy, neither Of 'em, have ever been
stinted. They'll feel it dretfully if
they've got to give up their comfortable
home and come down to earning their
own bread and cheese"
at shall advise the girls to bring in
BILL" said Mr.. Den1son-"a bill for their
services. The probate court will allow it
quicker'n lightning"
"The girls won't bring in no bill" said
his wife; "Sabra told me that if her
father didn't set enough by them to pro-
vide for them, she should not make any
claim on the estate"
"That's just like woman" said Mr..
Denison, testify.
But no will, AID no evidence that the
old gentleman had ever contemplated
making one, could be found; Mr.. Den
ison received the coveted appointment,
and the settlement of the estate by law
went forward.
Cynthy and Sahara were the children
of their fathers third wife. A delicate
creature she had been, who accepted
Squire Msrcy's offer because, homeless
and friendless, the prospect of a home
tempted her. But her home was made
wretched by eight children, sons and
daughters of her predecessors, some OF
them nearly as old as herself, coarsely
organized, quarrelsome, but agreeing
upon one point-to make life as intoler-
able for their young step-mother as pos
sible. She could not bear up under
their petty prosecutions. In few years
she was laid to rest with the other wives,
leaving her two little girls to fight their
way as best they could. 1t had been a
hard life for the children at first, but one
by one the older ones had d1ifted away,
and finally the western fever seized upon
them all, and they went, one after anoth-
er, to make homes on the broad, fertile
prairies So for many years the sisters
had lived happy, peaceful lives in the
old homestead with their father.
They we're quiet, gentle women, in
heritmg poetic temperament from their
mother They loved the old house and
the woods about it. They knew where
the earliest spring flowers grew, and
where to fnd the brightest autumn
leaves. They would not have dared to
let their neighbors, who disapproved
openly OF their " traipsing about all over
the woods" know what treasures of
pressed flowers and leaves they had care
Iuli1 pun ANOb iCA "OAiA1 "CNAN
Miss Cynthy have told of the timid at
tempts at flower painting she had some
times made, in the solitude of. her own
room. They had not felt much in sym.
pathy with their neighbors heretofore,
but now that real trouble had come upon
them, every one was kind; the sisters
found they had many warm friends
where they least expected to find them.
They we're middle aged women now,
we'll advanced in their fifth decade. OF
their half-brothers and sisters they knew
little, but it was certain there would be
no mercy for them. They would grudge
the sisters the "living" they had had,
and each one would claim every penny
due, eagerly. Once Mr.. Denison ven