Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-05-12
THE HIDDEN WILL.
An Interesting Episode of the Coal oil Dis
 coverIes In Pennsylvania.


 face, so pure and good. Is she one of the attendants here?"
 "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"
 The speakers are two ladies who have been examining the pictures in an Arch street photographic gallery, and the girl of whom they have spoken is arranging frames against the wall. Mary Gaines beauty deserves all the commendation of her admirers, and is an index to her character. Pure, upright, she has kind ly consideration for all, and even the most envious admit that Mary has no enemies
 The physical contrast between the father, mother and daughter is startling enough. Old Gaines is a very hard working man, and so ignorant that he can neither read nor write. He worked in the coal mines for many years, and put the savings of his life into 800 acres of wild land in Clarion county. But the farm was rugged and sterile, and, leav- ing his brother to work it, the old man came to this city and got a position on the Reading railroad as watchman, and with Mary's help and Mrs Gaines thrift they made decent living.
 At this time the coal oil discoveries were made, and rude mountaineers, who had seldom a shoe on their feet, and whose only luxury was an occasional quart of corn whisky, found them selves millionaires. In this good for tune Peter Gaines was destined to par | ticipate. Although illiterate, he was shrewd, and refused to sell his Clarion county farm until he had examined the l ground, and the result was that in six | months he returned to his wife and daughter with $SO,O0O 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, and Mary's social sur roundings begap 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 her | heart to Bernard Rudolph, a young German, who was chemist in a large dyeing establishment in the city. Mrs.. Gaines more than once hinted to her daughter that, with her wealth and beauty, she could look higher, but Mary, with a 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 terrible occurrence damaged all the lovers plans. Mrs. Gaines wanted to see her old home in the woods and accompanied her husband on one of his visits to the oil country. A collision of two trains happened on the way, and Peter Gaines and his wife were taken out of the wreck-dead.
 It was a terrible shock to the daugh- | ter, and for a 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 listlessly, but 1 was aroused from her indifference a week later, when her friend came to the house with letter in his hand
 Miss Mary, I have a surprise for | you. Your fathers brother Michael has applied to the court of Clarion coun- | ty to administer your fathers estate on the ground that he is the next heir, and might as well tell you now that he made an affidavit that you are not the child of Peter and Margaret Gaines. I have a note from the Rev. Father Kohlman, of Pittsburgh, whom you
 know. He states that he will call on you Thursday. In the mean time, have engaged MT. William Wallace. one of the best lawyers in middle Pennsyl- vania, 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 a piece of spiteful mischief. It could not be true. Bernard's consolation was Imanly and practical. If you lose the kestate we will have enough to live on So let it go."
 ! Father Kohlman 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 the 10th &of October, 1850, a party of two men land two women were crossing the lmountains near Peter Gaines cabin. It was nightfall and beginning to snoM, lso they stopped in the barn and left Inext morning at daybreak. Peter went to the barn to look after the COW and theard something crying, and looking Iabout found a child about four months fold. The mother had, no doubt, left it fwhen starting a few hours before.
 Peggy was wild with joy, and after tsome demur Peter consented to let her adopt the little girl. was called in land baptized you, my dear urged the old people to tell you the truth Iyears ago, but they feared that you might come to love them less, but am confdent that your adopted father never left this world without providing for you, for he assured me as much not kmore than a year ago."
 Mary was very white, and clasping her hands, said:1"If had only known tthe truth I would have been prepared flor this, but I feel as if had no place Fin the world"