Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1888-04-27

fuSe me IL Will not De on the score Of
money
This bold declaration so upset his
uncle's temper that he roared with all
the force left him that never penny
OF his money should go to John Law
sons daughter and he would make it
known on the morrow that none of his
nephews should profit dollar by his
death.
"As for that" put in Tom, a little
nett!ed at this outburst. "you have a
perfect right to do with your money
what you please. You can't say you
ever gave us any thing we didn't pay
you for up to the last farthing, though
it has crippled US to do it" Then,
more calmly, as he noted how poorly
the old man looked, he continued:
"And while you may will your wealth
to strangers, and leave us to drudge on
as best we can, let there be no more
harsh words between us while you
live. l am young and strong. and
willing to make my own way. The
mill is doing better now, and it may
yet enable me to make start for my
self"
"Then why do you wish to incumber
yourself still further with wifep" and
as he spoke he rose in his chair. "Be-
ware how you refuse the old man. adj
vice! That's the Only thing you can
count on, my lad. See you remember
it."
When Tom left his uncle's office his
face wore a preoccupied and troubled
look. Moved by the tenderness of his
love for Nellie he thought compassion
ately of the lonely life this old man
had led all these years, and he could
not help making allowance for his bit
terness. He remembered all that his
uncle had said to him, and felt that he
must act at once. The vision of
Nellie's sweet face rose before him. and
he wondered how she would receive
the news. He thought he would go at
once and tell her all; but on reflection
concluded to wait. She would perhaps
hear it all from her father the next day
if the old man fulfilled his threat.
Walking moodily along toward the
mill he determined to urge Nellie to
promise to be his wife, whatever
might happen, They could wait
year, he thought, and by that time
his business might look still more en-
couraging, and he pictured the snug
little home he hoped to soon have
ready for the girl he loved so fondly
AS a consequence, when he reached
the mill he was in more cheerful
frame of mind. and the look of anxiety
had vanished from his face, which
now wore bright and even happy
look.
whats the news from the old
manP" inquired Reuben. "You look
AS though the interview might have
been satisfactory"
81 was not thinking about Uncle
Flint as came in" said Tom; "but
found him very excitable and almost
childish to-day. l am afraid he will
not last much longer"
"Humph," grunted Reuben. '.he
might have helped us little while he
lived without hurting him. Now,
what does he intend to do with the
wealth he has boarded all these years?
One thing he can't do-take it with
him. and Reuben appeared to derive
considerable consolation from this last
reflection.
Il have no idea how he means to
dispose of it, answered Tom, but
one thing he did say was that no one
If his nephews should profit a cent by
ais will"
What did you say to him." ask ed
Seth, "that caused him to make such u
remark?"
And then Tom told his brothers all.
Reuben was much put out at the I'M
welcome news and he began to walk
the floor.
"There is no use saying any thing
about il" continued Seth, '.for the old
man will do as he pleases. Besides, he
IS queer. and there is no telling what
he may do after all" This more sem
sible remark of Seth silenced his
brother, and they resumed their work.
True to his word the old man told
Lawyer Hopkins, who called at his of
lice the next morning to chat while,
how he proposed to leave his nephews
tut of his will. "For," said he, "they
have pleased themselves all along with
out consulting my wishes. and now ]
shall please myself and he rubbed
his hands gleefully, knowing it would
not be long before John Lawson would
hear of it from the lawyer
1t was day in the early summer.
The birds twittered back and forth to
one another. the trees were putting
forth their new leaves, and Tom. as he
walked toward Nellie's home in the
early evening, felt grateful and
happy. for he was full,
of hope and in the springtime
of his life. AS he neared the gate he