Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-10-12

ksisaas;isiSsss<A Il a1s isHsssA street.
He had kept the curiosity shop for
about fifty years. The old spinning
wheels, sparrow-legged chairs, carved
oak bureaus. china, of all sorts, war
medals, watches, coins, etc., would, no
doubt, now so to the hammer. Mox.
ford would miss the attractive window
of No. 80 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
expectations. TO be sure, for the last
ten years they had not 1nterchanged
many words with the late Carmel, who
was Peters only brother; but as Mrs
Peter remarked when the news of her
brother.in- laws death arrived, she
couldn't for shame leave his m oney 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 companions at the Hen and
Chickens that he was in for 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.
enly eIation. Their uncle, while he
lived, was such figure that they new
er called 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 Inquiries why
three Mr.. Rights did not press for the
honor OF their small gloved hands.
1t seemed unlikely indeed, that IA
single tear would be shed for the old
curiosity man.
OF course, there was bis little ser.
want girl, Joan Smith. But she was
only "a workhouse hussy," to borrow
Mrs. Peters elegant expression.
With his usual cccentricity, old Car
mel 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 twenty-five. A quiet, shrinking,
| darlf-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. 50
nicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also rather clumsy wreath of
wild hyacinths and buttercups on the
coffin.
"Ihe idea of such thing as that %
exclaimed Mrs. Peter, touching the
w-eath with the tip of her parasol
Joan was near at the time. She burst
into tears at these words
"Please, ma'am," she said. 81
should so like it to go with him. /
picked them all myself"
''lt 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 a
corner.
"The hussy ought not to be allowed
to leave this house, Peter" sho said
severely, "without being searched.
The idea of her being with all these
vallybles-all alone, too.
But Peter was not as cruel MS his
wife.
cameron gays 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 curlos.
ity mans affairs.
Two or three others now arrived,
including 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 it to
the cemetery on the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the back
entry 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 so indeed, that even the
soothing voice Of Seth Perry, vino had
come upon her unewares, had no eff
feet on her at first.
"Never you mind, lass" said Seth
titbinps'll ali come ont right -