Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-02-19
Her story, which Hester had refused to

Her story, which Hester had refused tC
confde to stranger ears, she now will
ingIy impaired to one from whom she
felt she had no longer any right to with.
hold it.
That her brother had married in oppo-
sition to her father wishes, and had been
disinherited in consequence, was alrerdy
known to Abigail Varley; but what dis
tant spot he had selected for his home, and
what had befallen him there she had never
learned,
The story was sad enough:
After few toilsomn, but not unhappy,
years-for they were spent in the loved So
ciety of his wife AID child-a dire calami-
ty had fallen upon George Haywood. He
came under suspicion of fearful crime.
| A network of circumstances too intricate
for mans wit to disentange environed
him, and he was condemned to die. The
stern Judgment was carried into effect.
and the executed murderer's despised
widow sought concealment for herself and
child IN a change Of place and name.
| Long. long years afterwards the truth was
discovered: but the judicial murder had
passed among the things irrevocable. The
! poor widow died at last-died broken
| hearted but with one consolation: She
had lived to see her husbands innocence
indicated.
"And this, my poor child, is the shame
| of which you sp9ke?'
MY life has known no other.
Not many days after, Hester was sent
| to one OF the first Summaries in the land.
| for she had yet time enough tC avail her
self of opportunities of culture hitherto
beyond her reach. Her aunt and she kept
their own counsel Cousins Rogers and
Dick only knew that tie object of their
| solicitude had disappeared, and probably
| congratulated themselves on the success of
| their virtuous stratagem.
| After time, Mr.. Parker, Cousin Abb
gals lawyer, was sent for. and after that
| the good lady seemed wonderfully revived
in health and spirits. After her next birth
day the prospect of many happy returns
produced anything but happy effect on
the two cousins, who began to think that,
after ALL the life tables might not be in
falIible. But her tine came at last; and,
within decent period after the sad event,
| Cousins Roger and Dick We're duly sum-
moned to attend the reading of Abigail
Marley will.
They were good deal startled at the
sight of their old enemy, the strange
girl.
Poor Tabby, as if seeking consolation in
bereavement, leaped upon the knee of her
old friend Dick, who stroked Ter back
patheticalIy, but d little jelousIy. Pompey
who took things moe phllosophically,
stretched himself out for y snooze at the
feet of Roger.
Mr. Barker, drawing from his pocket
the document Proceeded to read it. The
introduction was long and formal. But,
bark! there's something coming now.
To my cousin, Richard Figgins''-
II give and bequeath -
You could have heard botl their hearts
beat
FIN consideration of the natural love
and affection which ] have long observed
betw them -
Dick looked puzzled
My favorite cat Tabby'-
Dick gave Tabby furious stroke the
wrong way.
And no more of my estate.
With a fling that betokened a most en-
phatic remuneration of the legacy. Tabhy
was sent mewing and sptting to the
furthest end of the room.
TO my cousin, Roger Smith. -
1t was Roger turn to triumph.
In consideration of the like natural
love an affection
II give and bequeath my dog Pompey,
and no more of my estate.
With a violent kick Pompey was sent
spinning after the cat; and the fear of her
VINO had so long kept the peace between
them being no longer before their eyes, the
pent-up enmity of years found vent in an
uproarious fight, in the noise of which
the voice of the old LAWYER was almost
drowned; but the words. rest and residue
of my estate-niece, Hester Haywood
were sufficiently audible, and Cousin
Dick and Roger stayed to hear no more.
New York World.