The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-05-22
AUNT ABIGAIL'S WILL.
What She Bequeathed to Cous-
ins Roger and Dick

tns Roger and Dick.
1t WAS Abigail Varley's three-score
and-tenth birthday. She was ricf
widow, childless, and with no known
relations save two gentlemen cousins
Never was 'cousinly attachment more
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jeal-
ousy less -amiably eXemplihed, than in
the daily walk and conversation OF
these tive collateral linsmen. They
bestowed SO much affection on their
common relative that they had none
left to waste between themselves.
Both were several years younger
than theiiady, with a fair prospect, ac-
cording ito the course of nature, of sur
viping her; and how to supplant each
other in her will, which she had at last
begun seriously to 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 to 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,
pcrchcd snugly on his rivals knee, by
way of not being outdone in cOusinly
attention, he took up Pompey, the
cousinly poodle, though dogs were his
abomination.
well, Cousin Abigail. hope your
| health continues good" said Cousin
| Roger, patting Pompey's head and
| glancing suspiciously ut Cousin Dick,
whom he devoutly wished at Jericho
| Not so good latterly as has been
| The fact is" the old lady continued, II
| have been thinking seriously of send
/ ing for Mr.. Parker, with a 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 ii off SO long?"
| "Wcll, well. suppose there's no hur-
~ about it" said Cousin Abigail
| And yet" Cousin Roger ventured to
| hint lit is always well To be prepared:
none of us can tell the minute or the
| hour, you know"
| And, after all, calling in lawyer is
not so serious n matter as calling in a
doctor" said Cousin Dick, facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of a young and beautiful
girl, at whom Cousin Dick stared with
a surprised and troubled look.
Pardon me. ma'am," she said, in a
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
| swered in tone that plainly limited her
visitors would not be pressed to stay if
they offered TO go.
After an awkward pause the two
/ cousins took their departure together.
WHO is that girl?' inquired Roger,
as soon as they reached the street
You may well ask" said Cousin
| Dick; and, stopping, he whispered some
thing in his companions ear, at which
the latter started suddenly.
Good heaven. the resemblance is
certainly striking. But what is to be
| done? Do you think the old-Cousin
| Abigail, | mean, suspects any thing?'
Not yet, think; but no time is TO he
lost have plan which it would be
| weflfor us to talk over together"
And the two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Varley had occasionally found
/ the time hang heavy on her hands,
d
fill the post of companion to an
aged lady. II was thus that Hester
Darling had become an inmate of the
! house
At early an hour as 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 it our duty, cousin
- began Dick.
''Our bounden duty put in Roger.
''As painful as it is imperative" Dick
continued
ITO put you on your guard, ma'am,"
Roger added.
Against a deceitful and designing
person, exclaimed Dick.
"Who is no better than she should
be- shouted Roger, Indignantly.
Upon my word, cousins. I do not
comprehend a syllable you have ut
tered" said Mrs. Varley; NOR shall /
be likely to il you both keep talking ut
once. Come, Dick, you seem least ex-
cited. What is the meaning of all this?''
What means, may / venture to ask
said Dick, did you take to ascertain
the character and antecedents of the
young woman at present sheltered be-
meath your roOf?
why, none," replied the good lady
Her young and truthful face were
recommendation enough on which to
give her a trial.
we have ascertained her to be a
most abandoned creature" proceeded
Dick. land have deemed it proper at
once to apprise you of the discovery.
Should she deny the accusation, we are
prepared with abundant proofs"
And the two cousins took their leave,
with an air of exalted virtue
Mrs. Varley was a lady of the strietest
propriety and severest morals. Much
as she pitied and befriended the poor
and friendless girl, she must be prompt.
iy freed from this foul and dreadful
charge, or cross her threshold never to
return.
She went directly to Hester's cham
Der.
You must tell me your past history.
child, said Mrs. Varley, in a deter
mined but not unlxindly tone.
oh. madam, pray you pardon me,