Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-11-06
A HIDDEN LEGACY.

A HIDDEN LEGACY.
The High street of Moxford was inter-
ested this June day in the funeral Of old
Carmel Battersby, whose picturesque hob
BILE and long gray locks would never again
enlivsn the street.
He had kept the curiosity shop for about
20 years. The old spinning wheels, spar
row legged chairs, carved oak bureaus,
china of all sorts, war medals, watches,
coins, etc., would, no doubt, now go to
the hammer. Moxford would miss the
attractive window of SO almost as much as
the quaint form Of its late owner.
Peter Battersby and Mrs. Peter were
early on the scene in decent black.
They had extremely comfortable expecta-
tions. To be sure, for the last ten years
they had not interchanged many words
with the late Carmel, who was Peters only
brother; but, as Mrs. Peter remarked when
the news of her brother-in-law's death ar
rived, "He couldn't for shame leave his
money to any one else.
Young Walter Battersby, Mr.. and Mrs.
Peters only son, did not conceal his JOY in
his uncle's demise. He told his boon COM
panions at the Hen and Chickens that he
was in for good thing
BLOOD, you know as tho saying Is, Is
thicker than water, he said as he drained
his fourth pint on the evening Of his avun-
cular bereavement.
Nor were the three daughters of Mr.. and
Mrs Peter without discreet maidenly ella
ton. Their uncle, while he lived, was
such figure that they never cared to look
at him. Besides, he hadn't very civil
tongue-liked to be caustic about their
high heeled shoes and extensive bonnets
and hats and to be very rude with his in
quiries why three Mr.. Rights did not press
for the honor of their small gloved hands.
1t seemed unlikely, indeed, that single
tear would be shed for the old curiosity
man.
OF course there was his little servant
girl, Joan Smith. But she was only ga
workhouse hussy," to borrow Mrs. Peters
elegant expression.
With his usual eccentricity, old Carmel
had taken girl from the Moxford union
after the death of his elderly housekeeper,
Mrs. Roberts. Joan was that servant, and
she had served him truly for the last six
years, being now but 20. A quiet, shrink
ing, dark eyed little creature, who had
revered her dead master quite unacount-
ably and devoted herself to him heart and
hand and soul Save for Seth Perry, who
worked for the Moxford Tin Plate COM
pany, she had had no one else to care for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter found No. 50 nicely
prepared for the funeral. There was also
a rather clumsy wreath Of wild hyacinths
and buttercups on the coffin.
"The idea of such thing as that" ex-
claimed Mrs Peter, touching the wreath
with the tip Of her parasol.
Joan was near at the time. She burst
inc tears at these words.
"Please, ma am, she said, ~ should SO
like it to 60 with him. picked them all
myself. !, , .,. - .,,o ;, - 4,.,,
and your place is in the kitchen, not in the
parlor," retorted Mrs. Peter.
Joan retired, crying bitterly, and Mrs.
Peter flung the wreath into corner.
"The wench ought not to be allowed to
leave this house, Peter" she said severely,
'swithout being searched. The idea of her
being with all these vallybles-all alone
tool
But Peter was not as cruel as his wife.
Cameron says she is entirely to be
trusted" he replied, land it's for him to
act as he pleases, he says
Mr.. Cameron was the Moxford lawyer
who had charge of the old curiosity mans
affairs
Two or three others now arrived, includ-
ing the lawyer, Mr.. Hurst, the Methodist
New Connection minister, and old Craven,
the silversmith
Then the High street enjoyed Its little
sensation as the hearse and three coaches
solemnly passed along 1t to the cemetery
on the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the back en-
try with fearful eyes. She was periodically
convulsed with sobs. She watched the
procession as long as ever she could. The
void in her life was immense.
So much go, indeed, that even the sooth-
ing voice Of Seth Perry who had come
upon her unawares, had no effect on her at
first.
"Never you mind, lass" said Seth,
"things'l all come out right. +"
She answered him only with tears.
"He's boun' to ha' left you summat
Joan, my lass, to remember him by, and,
whether or no, you've only to speak the
word and theirs one ash be proud to
have you.
"Seth, can't talk with you now," she
said, showing him her damp face and
bright eyes.
"Nor come home and take your dinner
with my mother, JOAN"
"No, no. mustn't 60 yet They'll
turn me out soon, l know, but must stay
till then"
"Well, lass, said Seth, you know best,
but I'm fair aching for you, and this night
az is I'll fetch you to home /"
He took her in his arms In the passage
up which 80 many antique articles had
travelled during the last half century, and
kissed her wet cheeks
"And now must get back to work, }"
he said.
II was hot day even for June, and
when the funeral party re-entered the
house Mrs Peters face was extremely red.
Here they were met by Walter Batters-
by and the three girls
This was Mrs. Peters arrangement.
1.-THE more witnesses there are the safer
it'll be, " she had said, alluding, Of course,
to the reading Of her brother in-law's will.
Besides" she added, 'they may hear
something nice for themselves
As far ~ he was concerned, however,
young Walter had fully intended to he
present, even II his father and mother OBJ
jected.
Joan had procured cake and aherry, at
the instigation Of Mr.. Cameron. But she
had not helped herself to q glass Of the
wine, even In spite Of the kindly lawyers
suRRestion, nor yet to crumb Of the cake