The morning call., 1894-09-21
DOBBIN'S ESTATE.

Old Dobbin was dead. He had made a
hard fight. but death had gained the vic
tory.
$50 the old mans gone at last?" Queried
a neighbor. joining group who were con-
yersing around the we'll in the dead mans
yard.
Eyes, he's dead"
Reckon the old wOman'll sell out DOW,
won't she?"
Jest like Dobbin eff she DON'T" was
the reply. Here these acres have been
lynn goli' on 100 years, fetchiu 10 nothin'
but a few potatoes. Them woods wonders
worth some money, but the old man never
would sell, and his father never'd sell.
Ana so the children's grown up like that"
pointing to a five-year-old boy playing in
The path, IAN they seem to ike it,
They say there's ore in the hills. don't
thpy?"
Yes. they say so, an that's why they
don't sell. L b'lieve the I'D mans will
Dobbiu's fathers - don't allow a sale.
But no one never found any ore as I've
heard Nv"
Funeral day after tomorrow"
Yes" And the crowd broke up.
The DObbins were poor. The grand
father died some twenty years before and
left his farm to his only cGild. There were
acres enough, but thew were unproduc-
tive. There was woodland, too. Many
purchaser had applied for it. but it was
not for sale. Offers were made to cut the
timber and knowing farmers urged that
il would grow up again; but all in vain.
Dohbin's farm was not for sale, and Dob
bins timber was not tn be cut. So the
winds played with the rafting windows,
the few cows ripped indusui0usly at their
scanty pasturage. the children, in their
patched garments, had a worn and ami j.
tipnlpss look, ana D0bbin and his wife
worked on.
for sale. So the story ran when the viii,
was read. Mrs. DObbln received ii in trust
for the children, but il was not t he sold,
in part or in whols, for twenty years, nor
was "DObbin woods" 10 be cut.
Harry Dobbin, the eldest child. was, in
spite OF his i'll fare, a bright lad. His song
and whistle were the only music known
around the farm, but they were never alb
sent Hoeing away at the unyielding soil
or cingiDg on with a bows determination
to the plOw he seemed to find even in his
sterile surroundings some seeds of hope.
you've heard the terms of the will,
Harry?" inquired his mother after the
fuEeral.
YES. mother; the Pollocks told me.
We can't sell any land"
mo. my son. the farm cannot be sold
for twenty years. This much l have
thought best to make known to YOU"
"Weil. it's hnrd. mother, anyway" broke
in the boy. "What goods the and to us
1t don't give us food. 1t don't clothe the
boys. Why, that wood there on the bill
would send NE to school for year, aud
see what am nOw?'
There WAS light knock at the door, and
Harry opened it, An old negro entered.
His form was bent. but his step was
steady, and the heavy stick in his hand
seemed carried moro through custom than
necessity.
Jake. is it you?" said the widow.
shrinking back.
Eyes, missus. it's Jake. Jake's come 70
tell the curse TO The third generation,
Even 10 the third and fourth generation
the good book says. The tOurth'H soon he
here" and he sat down on a low stool near
the hearth.
"Sit down boy, sit down." he continued
to harry. the ole mans hands is weak
an does no harm, an his tongue you
can't fight"
ION. jake" impored the widow. s.can't
you leave us alone in THE hour? Have we
not suffered enough without your siying
misery TO the son? 2"
''Missus. IT'S no use! TO the third and
fourth generation says the good book
an the book never lies"
Il VIII eXplain everything to the bow.
Jake, and he will obey me. DULY leave If
to me-"
"Missus. Jake knows the best story"
Inc widow covered her face with her
hands. The negro, laying his old hat by