Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-07-17

feeblY, land whom am gone-my poor
daughter'
Leave her to me, father" said Dirk,
manfully-"Tn take care of herr
Wolfert looked up in the face Of the
CHEEKY, strapping youngster, and saw
there was none better able to take care
of woman.
Enough" said hc, ''sho is yours!-and
now fotch me a lawyer-lat me make my
will and die"
The lawyer was brought-a dapper,
busLling, round headed little mau, Roar-
back Tor Rollebuck. as it was pronounced
by name. At the sight of him the women
broke into loud lamentations for they
looked upon the signing of a will as the
signing of a death warrant. Wolfclt
made a feeble motion for them to be
silent. Poor Amy buried her face and
her grief in the bed curtain. Dame Web
Der resumed her knitting to hide her dis
tress, which betrayed itself however. in
pcllucid teur, that trickcd silently
down and hung at the end of her peaked
noao: while the cat. the only concerned
member OF the family played with the
good DANES ball of worstcd, as it rolled
about the floor.
Wolfert lay on his back, his nightcap
drawn over his forehead; his eyes closed;
MS whole visago the picture Of death.
He begged the lawyer to be brief, for he
felt his end approaching and that he had
no time TO lose. The lawyer nibbed his
pen. spread out his paper, and prepared
to write.
81 give and boQueoth," said Wolfert,
family, "mv small farm
''What-all!" exclaimed the lawyer.
Wolfert half opened his eyes and
looked upon the lawyer.
"Yes--all," said he.
"Whatl all that great patch Of land
with cabhaces and sunflowers, which the
corporation is just going to run a main
street through"
1.-The same" said Wolfort, with a
heavy sigh and sinking back upon his
pillow.
u wish him Joy that inherits itt' said
the little lawyer, chuckhng and rubbing
lis hands involunta.ily.
What do you mean" eaid Woifert,
again opening his eyes.
THAT he'll be one of the richest men
in the place." cried little Rollebuck.
The expiring Woitert seemed to step
back from the threshold Of existence;
his eyes again lighted up; he raised
himself in his bed showed back his rcd
worsted night cap, and stared broadly at
the lawyer.
You don't say sou exclaimed he.
Faith, but l do!' reloined the other.
"Nhy, when that great field and that
piece of meadow come to be laid out i'll
streets, and cut up into snug building
lots-why. who ever owns them need not
pub of his hat to the patToonp
say YOU so?' cried Wolfert, half
TRUSTING one leg oft Of bed why, then
I think I'll not make my viii YETI
70 the surprise of every body the dy.
ing man actually recovered. The vital
spark which had glimmered family in
the socket, received fresh fuel from the
oil Of gladness, which the little lawyer
poured into his soul, 1t once moro burnt
up into a flame.
Civ, physic TO the heart, ye who
would revive the body Of a spirit broker
man! in few days Wofert left hi:
room; in few days moro his tahl,
was covered with deeds, plans of street.
and building lots Little Rolicbuck Wa
constantly with him, and his right hano
Iuan and adviser, and instead Of making
his will, assisted in the more agrceabl,
task Of making his fortune. In fact
Wolfclt Webbcr was ono of those WORTH
Dutch burgher5 of the Mauhattoes who's,
fortunes have been made, IN a manner
in spite Of themselves; who have tcua
Ciously held on 20 their hereditary acres
raising turnips and cabbage5 about th
skirts of the city, hardly able to maxi
both ends meet, until the CORPORATION La
cruelty driven streets through thci
aboGes, and thoy have suddenly awak
encd out of a lethargv, and, to thci
aatonishmcnt, found themselves ricl
men.
Before many months had elapsed
great busting street passed through th
very center Of the WcLbcr garden, jus
where Wolfcrt had dreamed Of Gudin-
treasure. lis golden dream was &c
camplished; he did indeed find IN an
looked for source Of wealth; for, win.
his patcrual lands were distributed int
llNlHlI.I It., ana Ftllb'l on - Sll' lt'Il
ants, instead Of producing a paltry Gro
Of Cvohggcs, they returned him an abur
dant crop Of rents; insomuch that o
quarter day it was a goodly sight t. *.
lis tenant, rapping at his door, tror
morning To night, each with a it'll
round hrlli-d bag Of money, the gode
produc, OF tl' soil
The ancient mansion Of his forerathct
was still kept up, but instead Of being
little yellow froutod Dutch house ina .aI
den. il now stood boldly IN the midst {
a street the grand house Of the n.ig
lorhool; Tor Woltrrl enlarged it with
wing ON each side, and a cuppia or tc
room on top. where he might climb II
and smoke his pipe in hot weather; an
AID in the course Of tme the whol
mansion was oyerum ~ the chubb
faced progeny OF Amy Wc1Der and Dir
NulIIOn.
A. Wolfcrt waxol old and rich an
Cort,i.l mi lp .l.D .,,f mn 81 f-,l.t .,r' mo-,