The Portland daily press., 1888-10-10
HIS ADOPTED DAUGHTER
The Morgan Will.
boston Trayeller.l

CBoston Traveller.l
had been admitted to the bar, says
writer in the New York Graphic, but, as
had very little practice and found myself
with plenty Of time ON my hands, got into
the habit of dropping in to chat with a news
dealer who kept stand not far from my
office. Old Bowles, as everybody used to
call him, dealt also in waste paper and rags.
which he sold to the papermakers.
One evening he was sorting lot of rub
bish, when nv practiced eye lighted o what
appeared to be legal document, bound with
blue tape. took it up and saw that 1t was
marked Last viii and Testament"
opened and commenced to read:
"In the name of God, amen. Know all
men by these presents that /, James Nor
gan, being of sound mind and disposing
memory, do make and publish this, my last
will and testament"
whats that you say?" demanded Bowles
as he dropped handful of paper and looked
up at me.
repeated what had read
''All right" he said. "Now read on,
squire"
II give and bequeath to my adopted
daughter, Elizabeth Morgan, otherwise
known as Elizabeth Summers all my per-
sonal ana real property. after the payment
of my funeral expenses and my just debts"
"Heayensw exclaimed Bowes, shat
must be the will of old Morgan. who died
four years ago-it was said, sintestate. He
left no less than 100000 that all went to
remote heirs, though everybody expected it
would have been left to this very Elizabeth
Summers, his adopted daughter"
what has become of the adopted daugh-
ter?" / asked.
81 do not know, but | think can find
out"
"How much Of this property is real es-
tatep And where is it situated?"
sWell there is the Oakdale plantation,
which lies about five miles cut from here
and is worth at least $4,000. Then there are
several houses in town also, besides $4,000
in government securities"
who is the relative that got the property ?"
'Simon Skaggs. He lives at the Oakdale
farm. / think he is a second cousin to Mr..
Morgan"
"What kind of man is hep"
"a mean old skinflint, or he would never
have taken the last penny from that poor
girl"
"Wen," said l, 81 propose to take this will
home with me tonight and examine it care
fully. If find it all right we'll hunt up that
girl and recover the property for her."
To this he assented, and, depositing the
document in my pocket, babe the old man
good night and returned to my Office, where
slept.
But was too much excited for sleep.
locked my room, and. sitting down, read the
instrument over slowly and carefully There
was but one legatee mentioned The will
was clear and simple; it bore the appear
ance of being genuine, and had evidently
been drawn by one thoroughly acquainted
with the necessary legal forms.
The longer 1 pondered over it the more
became convinced that had at last STUN
bled upon an interesting case-one which, if
properly managed, could not fail to bring me
reputation and right a great wrong besides.
The next afternoon / went to Bowles'
store. he was alone. waiting for me.
II have found where the girl u.s." he said
as soon as / told him that the will was un-
doubtedly genuine. "She lives about fifty
miles off in little place called Friendsville,
quite up among the mountains, on wild hill
farm, where things go ON in the most print
tive manner A distant relative-an aunt
three times removed, very poor, but, 1t
seems, not without heart-heard of her
destitution and sent for her. An old lady,
who used to know the girl and had her at
her house while after old Morgan's death,
happened to come in here, and | asked her If
she knew where Elizabeth Summers was"
81 will go down and see her tomorrow" l
said promptly.
Sand bring her back with you," answered
Bowles as briskly. my daughter and will
give her a home. Gadl" cried. rubbing his
hands enthusiastically, "we'll be too much
for old Skaggs after ALL"
1t was late the next afternoon when ar
rived at my destination, having made the
Journey partly by rail and partly by stage.
The coach put me down at a lonely cross
roads, from which l had about two miles to
walk.
"Oh yes-the Widow Benham," said the
driver. pointing with his whip, ''lives up
yonder, just around the point of the noun
tain. You'll see the house in ten minutes OF
So"
1t was a warm, sultry day in August with
not breath of air stirring. soon caught
sight of the house, a plain. unpretending
structure like so many in that region. When
It was about 200 yards distant, the sound of
falling water attracted me, apparently COM
ing from some precipitous rocks on the left
AS ! was thirsty / went towards it. AS
turned the corner of a cliff a handsome girl
about twenty years of age, emerged from a
sort of cave, bearing ON her shoulder large
water jar. The lightness with which she
stepped from stone to stone across the brook
the polse as Of some sylvan goddess witt
which she bore aloft the jar, made me uttei
unconsciously an exclamation Of surprise
Though she was dressed in the eoarsest
hOmespun, and wore neither shoes nor stock
ings, forgot altogether the LONELINESS Of
her apparel in the grace of her movements
the exquisite contour of her figure, and the
beauty of her expressive face, which wal
now mantling with bushes. A small dog
apparently a self-constituted protector
barked at me furiously as ! advanced, ha
in hand: for intuitively knew this must b.
my client
MY client It was lost no time in explain
ing the object of my visit. She was yer.
aAeSA !" 1900
ton said with dignity:
"Come up to the house, please. l will
consult my aunt. Down, Tip-down, SIT"
The dog ceased barking at this command
and trotted quietly ahead. / offered to tax
the jar, but she declined with the composur
of a queen.
When she had introduced me to Mrs. Ben
ham and said, "This gentleman. aunt, ha
something very strange to tell you, and
Will leave you with him for moment" sh'
disappeared, returning some quarter of al
hour later, dressed in becoming blue mus
lin and with the daintiest of slippers on he
pretty feet. l had meantime produced tn,
will and given details of the manner II
which 1t was found.
Not to dwell too long on this prelude to m,
story, will say briefly that my client and