St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-05-09

0W0X
Ana the sun nnst chine senin
6e sun. sad heart, nor mind
Iae heat o. nesy tryine.
Ine myssesy eutwineA
with soeroW and With cFyins.
The ccstliest gold. by Z metAod 80
must lose its dross n the hottest elov.
But It coOeth forth reaneA
psaan X X Carter. In N. =. 0bssrvsr.
AUNT .ABIGAH'S WILL
What She Bequea&hed to Oous-
ins Roger and Dick.
1t was Abigail Varley's thrce-scoec-
r and-tenth birthday. She was . rich
widow. childless. and with NO known
relations savc two gentlemen cousins.
Never was cousinly attachment more
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jeal.
ousy less amiably exemplified. than in
the daily walk and Conversation Of
these two collateral kinsmen. They
bestowed 30 much affection on their
common relative that they had none
left to waste between themselves.
Both were several years younger
than the lady, with . fair prospect, &C
cording to the course of nature, Of sur
viving her; and how to supplant each
other in her viii. which she bad 1t last
begun scrioualy 10 talk of making. was
the problem which at present engaged
their attention.
On the morning in question, when
Cousin Roger called to wish Cousin
Abigail the usual many happy
returns" he was not .. little
chagrined 10 find Cousin Dick there be-
fore him. However, he presented his
annual gift. and went through his an
nual speech without missing a word;
and seeing Tabby, the cousinly cat,
perched suugly On his rivals knee, by
way Of not being outdone in cousinly
attention, he took mp Pompcy, the
cousinly poodle. though dogs were his
abominatiou.
''Well. Cousin Abigail, hope your
health continues good" said Cousin
Roger. patting Pompcy's head and
glancing suspiciously at Cousin Dick,
whom he devoutly wished 1t Jericho.
The fact Is" the old lady continued, II
have been thinking seriously Of send
ing for Mr.. Parker. with . view to
settling my worldly Affairs without de-
lay" -
''Oh, there Is no need Of haste, cous-
in," broke in Dick; You have many
years before you yet" mentally add
ing: "What has possessed the old lady
to put It of so long?'
''Well, well, I suppose there's no hur-
~ about it." said Cousin Abigail.
'And yet" Cousin Roger ventured to
hint, 1T is always well to be prepared;
none of us can tell the minute or the
hour, you know"
"And, after all. calling in q lawyer is
not 90 serious . matter as calling in
DOCTOR" said Cousin Dick, facetiOusly.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance Of = young and beautiful
girl, at whom Cousin Dick stared with
. surprised and troubled look.
''Parion me, ma'am." she said. In q
voice remarkably sweet and gentle;
mot knowing you were engaged. ] came
to see If you wished me. as usual. to
read to you to-day"
presently. DEAR" Mrs Varley an
ewered in . tone that plainly limited her
visitors would not be pressed TO stay 1t
they offered to 60 !.
After an awkward pause the two
cousins took their departure together.
"Who is that giri?" inquired Roger.
a soon Is they reached the street
"You may well ask" said Cousin
Dick; and, STOPPING, he whispered some
thing in his companions e4F, at which
the latter started suddenly.
Good heaven! the resemblance is
certainly striking. But what il to b
done2 Do you think tho old-Cousin
Abigail, mean. suspects any thingT
'.Not yet, l think; but no time Is TO be
lost. have . plan which e would be
well for us to talk over together"
And the two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. vaslcy had occasionally found
the time hang heavy on her hands,
and 50 had advertised for . person to
6H the post, q ''companion" to an
aged lady! II was thus that Hester
nssling had become IN inmate Of the
house.
At Is early IN hour Is was seemly on
the morning following that on which
we introduced them to the reader. Rog-
er and Dick again presented themselves
before their cousin
I'VE have thought 4 our duty. cousin"
- began Dick.
.Our bounden duty. put In Roger.
"As painful - it is imperative" Dick
continued.
ITO put you on your. guard. ma'an."
Roger added -
Against . deceitful and designing
person" exclaimed Dick.
'Who is no better than she should
ber' shouted Roger, Indignantly.
Upon my word. cousins. ] do not
comprehend . syllable .yon have ut
tered" said Mrs. varley; nor shah
be likely to II you both keep talking at
once. Come, Dick. yop seem least ex-
cited What IS the meaning o1 al t6is?s
What means. may venture 10 ash"
said Dick. did you take to ascertain !
the character md snteeedente Of the
young woman 1t present sheltered be-
meath your roofY'
'Why. none." replied the good lady.
Her young and truthful face were
Recommendation enough on which 10 |
give her trial." So.
I'VE have. ascertained her to be s1j
most abandoned creaEaEe." proceeded 1
Dick, 'and have. deemed Il proper ~ |
once to apprise you Of the discovery.
Should she deny the accusation, We ere
prepared with abundant proofs i
And the two cousins took their leave,
-s~h - 49, -Aea~>N~>A-.A -