The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1893-01-26

What could this mean?
Some of the village folks whispered
that Albert was the cause. That the
boy was squandering his benefactor's
gold in riotous living, and few of
the more officious began to feel it
their duty to demonstrate with the
squire ere his whole property should
be swept away by, as they claimed, IAN
"ungratef,l reprobate.
Jotham heard them through, calmly,
his face never changing from its ha-
bitual, unruffled expression. When
they had flushed lie looked up and
replied:
"My friends, I am convinced that
in your coming to me, you have been
actuated by kindly feelings for my
welfare, and therefore forgive you
for so cruelty maligning the absent
youth. But you will pardon me if !.
at this moment, positively forbid any
of you to interfere in my affairs, and
assure you it would be very pleasing
to me if you would, in the future,
mind your business"
The astonished visitors, rendered
almost speechless by the squire's re-
ception of their presumption, with
drew, and by omnous shakes of the
heads signified their disapproval of
their townsman's action.
Left alone with Ruth, the old farm
or took the maiden's hand, and with
moistened eyes, pleadingly asked:
"My child, You do not believe what
these people hint in regard to Albert,
do you"
"No, father, no indeed. My broth
er is too honorable, and too deeply
impressed with your kindness to him
and to me-to abuse your confidence
and trust in him."
"You are right, Ruth. Instead of
squandering my money the boy actu-
ally disobeys me in not using enough
of it to place himself in the social cir
Gle which l want him to fill. But you
must not call him your brother. Ruth,
for he bears no such relations to you,
other than by association"
Here the farmer glanced quickly up
into the beautiful face before him,
and as he detected slight blush
mantling the fair cheek, he smiled'
for he thought he read the heart of
the gentle one and it pleased him.
He changed the subject, saying:
"Do not allow the idle prattle of
our neighbors TO disturb you. The
disposition of my property may seem
strange in their sight. and perhaps in
yours also, but be assured, that when
am gone-," here Ruth placed her
hand quickly on her adopted parents
head as though to check him.
"Nay," continued Jotham, edo not
interrupt me. l repeat that when 1
am gone, you and Albert will have
enough and to spare"
Time continued its flight, and the
souire's once beautiful farm had
dwindled into insignficance, until one
summer month when Albert was called
home to attend the funeral of the man
who had reared him from childhood,
the place bore the appearance or
complete wreck.
The squire's funeral was largely
attended, for he had been greatly
loved and respected by his neighbors,
despite the eccentricitics which he had
displayed since the loss of his wife.
When the sorrowful party returned
to the old homestead, after placing
the remains of the squire beside those
of the companion of his youth, they
IOunu Inc uOtuly W"i'i"o ''SN
In his possession was the last will and
testament of the deceased.
1t was no wordy document that
Jotham had left 1t simply read:
..After paying my just debts, give
and bequeath all my property real
and personal, to my beloved FOSTER
children, Albert and Ruth Howes'
or debts there were none save 'hose
incurred at the funeral, and to liqui'
date these sufficient money was found
in the antiquated desk of the farmer
But search as they would not scrap
of paper could be discovered 10 i"ai'
cate that Jotham Howes had left more
than his acres, now run to weeos' a""
the buildings, which were rapidly 1a''-
ing into decay.
| 1Jt 10 stranUe" remarked AlDcrt