The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-08
TIE BID EN- WILL.
An Interesting Episode Of the Coal Oil
Discoveries In Pennsylvania.

FROM me fN1tdu8Dhtu limeds
THAT girl looks like one of Raohael's
Msdonnss. 1 never saw a more lovely
face, so pure and good. Is she one of the
attendants herer
"Yes, know her people. Her father and
mother are country Dutch. and more than
usually rugged and hard featured. Where
the girl gets her beauty is a matter of
wonder. Her name is Gaines.n
The speakers are two ladies who have
been examiug the pictures IN an Arch street
Photographic gallery, aud the girl of whom
they have spoken is arranging frames
snainst the wall. Mary Gaines beauty de-
serves all the commentator OF her ad-
mireIs, end is an index to her character.
Pure, upright, she has kindly consideration
Tor all, and even the most enVious admit
that Mary has no enemies.
At this time the coal oil discoveries were
made, aud rude mountaineers, who had sell
dom shoe on their feet, and whose only
luxury was an occasional quart of corn
whiskey, found themselves millonaires. In
this good fortune Peter Gaines was destined
TO participate. Although ilnterate lie was
shrewd, and refused TO sell his Clarion
county farm until he had examined the
land, and the result was that in six months
he returned TO his wife and daughter with
$50, 900 and an income from leases that
amounted TO several hundreds per day.
Peggy Gaines had but one idea of the
value Of money, and this was to use it for
the benefit Of her Mary. A fine house was
purchased In the northern part Of the city,
aud Mary's social surroundings began TO Be
very pleasant. Old Gaines looked carefully
after his business, and his wealth was
Increasing rapidly. In the days of her
poverty and dependence Mary had given
ner heart TO Bernard Rudolph, young
German. who was chemist in a large dyeing
establishment in the city. Mrs. Gal es more
than once limited to her daughter that, with
her wealth and beauty, she could look
higher, but Mary, with quiet decision that
her mother understood, declared that she
loved Bernard, and all the wealth in
Christendom should not separate them.
So date for the wedding was fixed, but
a terrible occurrence damaged all the lovers
plans. Mrs. Gaines wapted to see her old
home in the woods and accompanied her
husband on one OF his visi to tie oil coun-
try. A collision Of two trains happened on
the way, and Peter Gaines and his wife
were taken out of the wreck-dead.
lt was terrible shock to the daughter
and for month she did little else than
grieve over the loss of her parents One of
her fathers friends saw her and advised
steps being taken to settle the estate. Mary
consented Iistlessly, but was aroused from
her indifference a week later, when her
friend came to the house wi letter in us
hand.
Miss Mary, I have a surprise for you.
our fathers brother Michael has applied
to the court of Clarion county to admins
ter your fathers estate, on the ground hat
he is the next heir, and l mi ht as well tell
you now that he made an affidavit that YOU
are not the child of Pete and Margaret
Gaines. have a note from the Rev.
Fa her Kohlmen of Pittsburg, whom YOU
know he stated that he will call on YOU
Thursday. In the mean time, | have on
gagged William Wallace, one of the best
lawyers in Middle Pennsylvania, to look
after your interests
Mary sat for some moments in a state OF
utter bewilderment. Michael Gaines never
liked her, and this must be piece of spite
full mischief 1t could not be true.
Demands consolation was manly and practi-
cal. IF you lose the estate we will have
enough TO live on. So let it GO"
Father hohlman paid his visit and laid to
rest all hope of expectation that her uncle's
story was false-in short, he confirmed it.
He said: "On Oct. 10, 1850, a party of two
men and two women were crossing the
mountains near Peter Gaines cabin. 1t
was nightfall aud beginning to snow, SO
they stopped in the barn and left next
morning at daybreak. Peter went to
the barn to look after the COW and
heard something crying, and looking
about found child about months old.
The mother had, no doubt, left it when
starting few hours before. Peggy was
wild With joy, and after some demur Peter
consented TO let her adopt the little girl. |
was called in and baptized YOU, nv dear.
urged the old people to tell YOU the truth
years ago, but they feared that you might
come TO love them less, but l am confident
that your adopted father never left this
world without providing for you, for he
ma n G VOt
ago."
Mary was very white, and clasping her
hands said: "If had only known the truth
l wou'd have been prepared for this, but |
feel as If had no place in the world"
The good priest urged her not to despair
OF the issue. Her reward might be delayed,
but 1t would surely come.
Mr.. Wallsce's advice was brief and to the
point The plaintiff can, am assured,
prove that Mary Gaines was only an
adopted child, and, therefore, not entitled
to inherit. But | have every reason TO
believe that there is will. So make all
due inquiry in that direction"
Among many old friends was Billy Burr
ton, clerk in the Reading railroad main
office. he was 80 If day, but acted as if
only 10. balancing the office stools on his
nose and playing popular melodies on the
shovel and tongs, nearly driving his official
superiors wild. But lie was wlthal bright
aud shrewd. He was present when Wal
lace's letter was read, and suddenly para
lyzed the company by shouting, Good
God, what a fool | ami Where's my hatm
and then he rushed out of the room at
raci spe d.
Billyewalked rapidly along, talking to
himself. What a hammer headed c4ump
/ am to have forgotten that. It's about Two
years ago when old Gaines was Waterman.
was full as goat and he let me into the
office at night TO sleep it off. English Brown
was there, too. Ii all comes back to me.
They asked me TO witness paper, and old
Peter made his mark like railroad cross
ing, and now to find Brown"
That gentleman was fou d, and, for a
wonder, softer. He had been a lawyers
clerk, and but for drink could have got
along in the world. Burton poured a food
OF questions on him. "Yes, he lad written
Peters will did not know that Peter was
dead; Of course, he had the paper; it was in
his at" So he took off his tall tile. and
of er removing numerous articles, threw on
! the table folded shees OF foolscap. Bur-
ton opened it. Eyes, there's my fist. sure
enough. Leaves all his property that he
has at death to his wife for life. and at her
death to his adopted dau liter, Mary,n and
then Billy shouted, Here's 81, Brown you'll
| be taken care Of
The paper was taken by Wallace to
Clarion county, its execution proved. and
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