The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-01-26

while Jerry would probably spend leg
4cy in year or two.
1t was not alone in the lawyers offic,
that the subject of Hiram Green's will
aud the disappearance of the tin box
were topics of conversation. Everybody
at Rye Hill had an opinion to express, =
heory to advance. Mrs. Jacob Greer
and Mrs. Jerry Green were talking the
whole matter over on the porch of th,
old house where Hiram Green had died.
while Jerry sat on the steps, looking
moodly down the garden path.
Jacob says, said that worthy's wife
hat he'll find that box, if its abov
ground.
wonder what he'll do if it amt. mu'
tered Jerry. unheard by the others
He sayR, continued Mrs Jacob, that j.
will take II heap of money to put TIM
house in decent repair and settle tn,
business! Dear! Dear! He talks as l.
his uncle's legacy left him poorer, in
stead OF richer!
wish it did! Inuttered Jerry. Aloud
he said :
Maria, if you'll get me a hammer ano
some nails, III save Jacob twenty-five,
cents by fastening these steps. See her.
and he raltled the steps an which h.
was sitting, and which were wholly de
tached from the porch.
Iwish you would, said his sister-in.
law, I'm in a panic every time 90 il
or out, especially if have the baby il
my arms. I'll get the hammer.
Dear me, Jerry, whispered his wife,
little later, you g0 at them steps as y
you were trying to hammer the hous,
down. Anybody would fancy you had
spite against the nails, you give then
such vicious blows.
Hold your tongue, grOwled her hus
band I'm only making them safe !
He rose as he spoke, and Strengthened
himself, multeriug.
That's good Job done
Come Sally. he said presently, we'll bt
getting home! | only came over to Sc,
if there was any news of the tin box.
Not sign to be found said Mrs Jacob
and do believe Jacob will be in luna
tic asylum if it don't turn up soon
Jerry grunted. tucked his wife's hand
under his arm, aud walked down tn.
road to his own cottage. small, shabby
house where Sarah Green vainly strov,
u lDdht Oiu IOOh uG" ,dIlu SlTtlCI
dollar to the needs OF two.
Since his uncle's death Jerry had beet
more moody and shftless than ever
Broodng over his injuries was not ht
way to improve his fortunes, and Sally
had hard work to make her needle sup
ply the daily wants.
II was Just three days before his unclt
died that Jerry learned that Hiram Greer
had left his entire property 10 Jacob. al
ready the richest man at Rye Hill. Ther
tho bitterness of his disappointment
seemed to literally turn his brain, anG
Sally trembled for his his reason. With
all his faults, if faults they were, his
disregard Of money and want of busl-
ness capacity. Jerry Green kept up
sort of grudging affection for him thai
made Jerry hope he would not entirely
forget HIM in HE will.
When his last illness attacked the old
man, il was to Jerry he turned for the
affections Jacobs harder nature coulo
not make acceptable. 1t was Jerry and
Sally who nursed the invalid day and
night with faithful, unwearIed care, ,ano
I was with bitter sense of wrong thai
Jerry knew himself disinherited. Still
the mans gentle nature Overruled hi
anger, and the last three days of Hiram
Green's life were Hs tenderly nursed as
4 Jerry knew himself to be his sole
heir.
But afterwards the whole nature of
the man seemed changed. Knowing the
sympathy of the people about him wal
with him, he was never weary of telling
of his wrongs;. and he made no secret OF
his delight at The disappearance of the
tin box. and the large slice of property
II contained.
A year passed away. and then all Rye
Hill knew that Jerry Green lay i'll with
"A fever, and the doctor had gwen him
up. Very sick indeed he was, and Sally
was heart broken. when one day he
whispered a request TO see Lawyer
Simpkins alone. Seeing lawyer seem
ed to poor Sally death warrant, though
Jerry had no fortune to will away.
Wondering. but ready TO humor a
wbim Of dying man, the lawyer an
swered the summons.
Mr., Smpkins, Jerry said. in a hoarse
whisper, will you promise to keep secret
what tell you?
Certainly, lawyers have to do that
every day.
Then | will tell you where Uncle Hi
rams tin box is. You have the key?
Yes, but-Jerry Green don't tell me
you are the thief.
did not take it away, but | was half
mad, | do believe. and l wanted to spite
Jacob, So buried it under the porch
steps. | never opened it. Everything
is there, and | suppose Jacob might as
we'll have it now.
Ill keep your secret. Jerry. for l be-
lieve you when you say you were half
mad.
Great WAS the excitement at Rye Hill
when 1t became known that Lawyer
Simpkins had had communication
from the party that had stolen the tin
box. confessing the theft. and revealing
the hiding place. There was group of
half the people Of the village in front of
Jacob Green's porch when Jerry's car
penter work was torn away. and the
earth that covered the buried treasure
removed. Lawyer Simpklns took a
small key from his vest pocket.
Stop moment, he said, as Jacob
Green was about TO take the box, as ex-
ecator of Hiram Green's estate, must
open this box and see If the contents are
all right.
There was a sudden catching of breath
sudibe as the lid Of the box fell back.
On the top was paper, open, and Law.
YER Simpkins read aloud:
|, Hiram Green, do give and bequeath
this box and all il contains to Sarah,
wife of my nephew. Jeremiah Green.
leave it to her as token of my love for
both, and because ! think she will be
more careful of it than my nephew.
and ! DO ask Of my lawyer Robert