The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1886-12-29

peace with the world
Humph said the woman. We'll
there amt no use maxim up to me now.
Ny will WIS drawn Up long ago; and
Moses Sawyer is my heir"
Thee IS welcome to do a; thee likes
with thy own, said friend Decker, calm
l., setting down the jar Of wild plum pre-
serves. and giancing wistful toward the
cushioned arm chair By the fire, for his
limbs were enfeebled by age, and he had
walked a considerable distance
But Miss Akerly did not ask him to
sit down and rest, SO he took fresh grip
Of his knotty cane, and started on the
homeward tramp. with cheerful, g Good
morning 10 thee, Friend Anastasia - TO
which the old lady responded with an
inarticulate grunt
Bul when he vas out of sight she un-
screwed the lid Of the jar, and, with an
old silver spoon, worn thin by long usage,
she tasted the tart sweetness of its con-
tents.
Just exactly like them mother used
10 boil down With moIasses when I was
gal, said she. Il could most fancy l
Was gal ag'in in Wild plum time. a cut
tin across the lots with NY sun bonnet
hitched on by one string. and the red
dog a caperin' at my heels Wal wal I,
it don't seem like was close on seventy
years old ="
Miss Anastasia had some of the wild
plum sauce with her scanty dinner. 1t
gave it a relish. She ate some more with
bread and cheese for her tea.
l never did taste nothin' that went
to the right spot ike them pluns,' said
she. 1t amt because they're relishnin';
its because they make one feel like
was gtI agin out in Wisconsin, with
the s;,ssafras leaves turnin' yeller.and the
wind BLOWN in my face
Leah did not know until neiehbor's
child brought back the jar. neatly wrap
ped IN an old newspaper, what treat
she had unwillingIy afforded her neigh
bor.
What is it, Willie?" she said to the
boy.
It's the jar that had wild plum sass
in it, said Willy; and Miss Akerly says
she's much obliged-and she gave me a
ginger cookey for bringing it back, she
did"
Father, said Leah, turning reproaeh-
fully to the old man, this is thy doingsi
Thee is always thinking of some one
else"
II has done me more good than if
had eaten il myself Leah said Friend
Decker, apologeticaliy.
Leah ran to him and gave him h 2
Thee Is an old darling, father said
she, and thee makes me ashamed Of
my own temper sometimes
And she put the jar on the top shelf of
the little pantry, and never thought any
thing more Of it until one day she wan
ted jar to put some stewed cranberries
in.
She was in a hurry, for Miss Anastasia
Akerly was to be buried that afternoon.
She had died as she had hved-sitting
alone before her fre-and this WAS the
day appointed for the funeral
Friend Decker had expressed desire
to attend the obsequies of the kinswo-
man who had been so little to him. and
Leah was hurrying through her work, 50
that she mig # brvsh his well worn suit
and take a much needed stitch or two in
his course worsted gloves.
As she tore off the newspaper wr lp-
pings she stopped suddenly.
Father cried she, here is a piece
Of thick, yellowish paper rolled up and
put inside this jar that came from Friend
Anasta ,ia's What does thee suppose it
l.? Father. father, it's will"
She ran eagerly with it to Frien Deck
er He looked dubiously at the outside
Thee Is right, Leah, said he Friend
Anastasil's heart has softened toward u.s.
This l. doubtless the will she mentioned
the will in favor of Moses Sawyer She
has sent il TO Us TO destroy Nay, daugli-
ter. nay, as Leah eagerly caught it up
and has;ened toward the fire give it to
me. 1t i not for VI to make or meddle.
If Friend Anastasi.t wished the will des-
troyed, she should have destroyed it her
self shall take it back to Friend John
son. tine executor"
Father cried I.ech, thee never
would give back the will?'
Does thee think it would be right
and honorable thingto destroy it Leah =
If she wanted u 10 do 50 father?-
But We have nOrightt TO presume any
thing OF the sort, daughter" reasoned
Friend Decker, buttoning it up under his
coat Nay, nay do not fret Poor Leah,
overcome by the sudden blaze of hope.
after the darkness of despair, had burst
into a food of tears 1T will be well with
us-never fear"
Judge johnson, the great man of the
neighborhood, received the paper with
some surprise.
December 9TH he said Hum =
ah this is the latest document she has
executed. Oh. yes, remember it very
weil drew it up myself But why did
/ yon bring IT here, Friend Decker
The old man briefly explained the cir
/ cRmsfan rs.
/ Old people are apt @ be capricious, .
said he. Doubtless the trifiing matter OF
the plum sauce pleased her, and she
sought to reward US But should never
take base advantage of Friend Moses BY
burning the will
But why III the name of common
sense should you burn it?' cried Judge
TnE A "A