The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1896-10-01

He had Kept the curiosity shop for
about fifty year, The old spinning
wheels, sparrow legged chairs, carved
oak bureaus, china, of all sorts, war
medals, watches, coins, etc., would. no
doubt, row go to the hammer. Mox-
ford wo aid miss the attractive window
of No. SO almost as much as the quaint
form CT it's late owner.
Peter Bsttersby and Mrs. Peter
were early on the scene, in decent
blacf..
They had extremely comfortable
exp sctations. 70 be sure, for the last
ten years they had not interchanged
mfiny words with the late Carmel, who
was Peters only brother but as Mrs.
Peter remarked when the news Of her
)jrother-iniaw's death arrived, che
couldn't for shame leave his money to
any one slse."
Young Walter Battersby, Mr.. and
/ Mrs. Peters only son. did not conceal
his joy in his uncle's demise. He told
his boon companions at the Hen and
Chickens that he was in for q good
thing.
BLOOD, you know, as the saying is,
is thicker than water" he said, as be
drained his fourth pint on the evening
of his avancular bereavement.
Nor was the three daughters of Mr..
and Mrs. Peter without discreet maid
emily elation. Their uncle, while he
lived, was such figure that they new
er called to look at him. Besides, he
hadn't a very civil tongue; liked to be
caustic about their high-heeled shoes
and extensive bonnets and hats, and
to be very rude with his inquiries why
three Mr.. Rights did not press for the
honor of their small gloved hands.
It seemed unlikely indeed, that q
single tear would be shed for the old
curiosity man.
OF course, there was his little ser
want girl, Joan Smith. But she was
only ga workhouse hussy," to borrow
Mrs. Peters elegant expression.
With his usual leccentricity, old Car
mel had taken a 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 twenty-five. A quiet, shrinking,
dark-eyed little creature, who had re-
vered her dead master quite unaccoun-
tably, and devoted herself to him heart
and hand and soul. Save for Seth
Perry, who worked for the Moxford
tin plate company, she had had no one
else to care for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter found No. SO
nicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also rather clumsy wreath OF
wild hyacinths and buttercups on the
coffin.
"The idea of such thing as that I"
exclaimed Mrs. Peter, touching the
wreath with the tip of her parasol.
Joan was near at the time. She burst
into tears at these words.
rPlease, ma'am," she said. II
should SO like it to go with him. !
picked them all myself"
SIT shall do nothing OF the kind,
then 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 q
corner.
"The hussy ought not to be allowed
to leave this house, Peter" she said
severely, "without being searched.
The idea of her being with all these
vallybles-all alone. too"
But Peter was not as cruel as his
wife.
Cameron says she is entirely to be
trusted" he replied. ''and it's for him
to act as he pleases, he says"
Mr.. Cameron was the Moxford law
yer who had charge OF the old curios-
ity mans affairs.
Two or three others now arrived,
including the lawyer, Mr.. Hurst. the
Methodist New Connection minister,
and old Craven, the silve1smith.
Thsn the High strset enjoyed its
iiktle seusatjou g the heayee and three