Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1886-09-11
THE ECCENTRIC WILL.

THE ECCENTRIC WILL.
Philadelphia News.
If there hadn't been a touch OF eccen-
tricity about old John Marchhare he
would never have made such a Will
Several years before the vessel on which
he was returning from Europe went
down at sea. John MarchhRre was picked
up by one Of the boats, clinging to a little
girl, while her relatives and all who knew
her were among the lost
From the little stranger thus thrown
upon his care he did not turn away. She
was too young to give any account Of her
parents or family, and, all subsequent
efforts to discover her kindred or whence
she came proving tuitless, John March
hare adopted her and took her TO his
home and heart.
Having neither wife nor child, he felt
free to do as he would with his fortune,
and it pleased him that it should go to
his adopted daughter-''provided," so
/ his viii ran, ''that if my said adopted
daughter shall marry during the lifetime
Of my brother, Eben Marchhare, whom
/ hereby constitute her guardian without
| the approval OF my said brother, then
/ the foregoing requests and devises shall
| become void, and my whole estate shall
/ 20 to my said brother"
George Preston had not waited for
! the publication OF John Marchhare's viii
as the signal for falling in love with
! Alice, as several others had IN spite OF
her beauty. The truth is, he had been
in that state as far back as he could re-
member
But when George Preston asked Eben
Aarchhare's permission to tender his
and to Alice, the old gentleman shook
head.
"Whether she shall have a fortune
or not" said Mr.. Marchhare, depends
on her not marrying in my lifetime in
opposition to my wishes, and 1 shall GER
tainly never wish to see her we'd
ded to a man willing to be dependent on
bounty Of his wife"
stYOu must mistake me, cried George
with flushed face "if you rank me IN
that class. I have strength aud energy
'.But as yet they are untried'' said
Alice's guardian without waiting for
him to finish. ''I am willing to put you
/ at the test however. Return in three
years with IS, 600, saved from your Owl
earnings, and, If Alice then consents Il
hear your offer, L shall not oppose it."
The allotted time had nearly gone by
before George had succeeded in laying
up the sum which entitled him to ap
pear and claim OF his promise.
AT a railroad station he went into the
Irefreshment room for supper. He had
not half finished the scanty repast WheI
the sound Of the whistle and the eEy Of
'Au aboardp' caused a general cOmmO
ton and rush for the train. George
caught up his OvercOat and followed the
rest.
On reaching his destination he war
about to draw on his oyercoat, when he
discovered that the garment he haC
brought from the supper room was MOI
his own. 1t was similar in color anc
material, but the attempt to put it on al
once revealed the difference He wa!
thunderstorm at the discovery. In Z
/ secret pocket Of his own coat was The
/ treasure which had cost him three year
OF anxious toll, and which represented
as many precious hopes.
With a vague purpose Of advertising
! everywhere and telegraPhing IN all di
rectiOns, he was hurrying along, wheI
whom should he meet but Mr.. March.
hare.
Georges first greeting was to blur
out his loss.
al am very sorry" said the ole
gentleman, gravely; "but you know my
conditions, and, with respect to their ful
fIlment, it seems you are Just wher,
you started"
"Give me but another chancep' crieC
George. aI can earn double as much II
the same time. viii work night enc
day to do IT,"
i.Your time is up to-day" said MIR
AIarchhare, "and I have promised M
old friend Wells, In the event Of you
/ failure, that his son Lawrence may pay
his addresses to Alice tomorrow Thu
young man is somewhat OF a fOP, and
doubt If Alice viii listen to his suit
Still, my word is passed. All, there hi
comes-shau I introduce your
sStowp, thief, stowp, thief" shouted {
fashy-lOoking youth, rushing forward
j and seizing George by the collar.
} aWhat is the matter, Lawrence 2
} asked Mr.. Marchhare, astOnished at hi
proceeding.
s.AIattah? AIattah enough, I ahoul,
sayl Why, that's the fellah that stwol
my cwoat. There it is on his arnr'
"COme, come, interposed Mr.. March
hare, mistakes viii happen sometimes.
D ssAIistwakeP' zneered Lawrence Wells
A very likely mistWake, seeing mine
the best cwoat, and his is more than
yeah behind the fWashion. / am almOz
b ashwamed to be sween In it am, uPOl
my swoul! But III have satisfaction
!! pl call the police.
After a quick glance at the yOunl
mans apparel George flung aside tn
coat on his arm, and placing a hand o.
, each Of the dandy's shoulders, got hiE
! out OF the one he had on IN a name
D more expeditions than gentle, Hastil
p examining the secret pocket, GeOrg
found his money safe, and Lswrenc
: Wells was convinced that there had IL
Z deed been q mistake.
A Happy Ending.