The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-08-18
Old Osborn's Murder.
By MARY KYLE DALLIs.

Years ago the Osborne home was inhabit-
ed by old Daniel Osborne, who had lost his
wife and daughter, and was not on good
terms with his son.
He was not very sociable usually, though
he was always civil, but whenever he saw
Margaret Archer pass he used to 90 to his
gate to speak to her, and often gave her
flowers from his garden or fruit from his
orchard
He was seventy and she was eighteen,
and as every one believed, engaged to young
Jerome Barton.
But he had gone to the city to take a
situation of some sort, and she had looked
a little sad for long while.
She went from house to house making
dresses, and lived with an old aunt.
When the old aunt died she was alone, and
one day to the astonishment of all Old Mill
she walled over to the parsonage with old
Daniel Osborne aud there was married to
him.
The news came with shock to Jerome
Barton. AT first fury possessed him.
Then he began to reflect that he had never
spoken plainly to Margaret, but he be-
lieved she knew his intentions. He was
working hard to make a home for her.
They had "kept company" as they called
IT in Old Mil, for several years. He felt
that she had Tilted him as entirely as if
they had exchanged VOWS of betrothal, He
was wretched, and made more-so by the
fact that old Daniels son, Maurice, rayed
continually of Margaret's marriage, and
called her every coarse name he could
think Of His father had only done it to
spite him, he said. He would not be able
to leave his fortune to his wife; and that
was what she had planned, for no girl of
eighteen could give her heart to an old
man.
He went down to Old Mill, raved at his
father, quarreled with him afresh, and
came back to report that all the nelghbor-
hood was talking against Margaret as de-
signing and contemplate creature. Mean
while Margaret, if not joyous, seemed con-
| tent. So did old Osborne. 1t was re-
ported that he had made his will, cutting
off his son with the proverbial shilling, and
leaving every penny to Margaret, his sec
ond wife, with certain provisions in case of
family.
And, indeed, it was not year before a
child came-a pretty boy Margaret re-
joiced in him.
The neighbors had forgiven her by this
time: they went to see the child, and at
tented its christening; but Maurice, its
half-brother, neither came nor was sent
for. His desk was next to that of Jerome
Barton in the great counting-house, where
they worked side by side; and his rawlings
brought back the old pain TO Jerome's
heart.
"a mother! Margaret the mother of an
other mans child" His heart was sore
within him as he said this to himself.
81 shall go away, get place as a super
cargo on an ocean steamer | know OFF, u
Maurice said, ''and stay abroad when gel
there. ] couldn't pay my passage. Think
of rich Osbcrne's son in that plight. l gel
my five and twenty week. What is that
for me? rich Osborne's son. NY mother
was good wife TO him, and yet he has
never been kind to me.
Maurice did not speak of the Thousand
acts of disobedience which had weaned thu
old man from him, or perhaps he woulC
not haye had SO much sympathy.
The father had been generous to the sol
until he discovered that he was robbin!
him, then he found him a situation, ant
bade him depend in the future on his Owl
resources.
However, Maurice raYed and at last threw
4, up his position, and bade goodbye to hi
friends, as he declared, forever.
81 can't stay in the same country witt
that woman who has bewitched my fathe
in his dotage." he said. 81 wonder m
mother does not haunt her. She's bad
bad to the core Dad will repent this
Why, she is counting the days until hi
= death. That is what the old man gets fc
making a fool of himself. She may Xxi
: him for all know