The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1896-12-04
miscellaneous.
BATTERSBYS FORTUNE.

The High street of Moxford was in
ter6sted this June day i'll the funeral
of old Carmel Battersby, whose pic
turesque hobble and long gray locks
would never again enliven the 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, chains, etc, would
no doubt now go to the hammer.
MoXford would miss the attractive
window of No. - 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 ex-
pectatiOns. 70 I've 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
ct her brotherin-law's death arrived,
'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 companions at the Hen and
Chickens that he was III for u good
thing.
Blood, you know, as the aging is,
is thicker than water he said, as he
drained his fourth pint on the evening
of his avuncular bereavement.
Nor were the three daughters of Mr..
and Mrs. Peter without discreet maid
enly elation. Their uncle, while he
err called to look at him. Besides, he
los civil IiI-nl 70 I1
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 a
single tear should be shed for the old
curiosity man.
OF course, there was his little SER
want girl, Joan Smith. But she was
only "a workhouse husSy," to borrow
Mrs. Peters elegant EXPIRE sSion.
With his unual eccentricity, old
Carmel had taken Il 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 revered her dead master
quite unaccountably, and devoted
herself to him heart and hand and
soul. Save for Seth Perry. who work
ed for the MoXford tinplate company,
she had had no one else to care for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter found No. 80
nicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also a rather clumsy wreath of
of wild hyacinths and buttercups on
the coffin.
The idea of such a thing as thatn'
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.
please, ma'am," she said. Il
should so like it to go with him. |
cked them all myself
1T 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 his house, Peter" she said
severely, without being searched.
The idea of her being with all these
vally bles-all alone, too"
But feleT WAS uOI DIS cruel DIS MS
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, in
Guiding the lawyer. Mr.. Hurst, the
NJathoIiSt Now (ipnnantinn ,,iniCtar
and old Craven, the silversmitb.
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
her life was immense.
So much so indeed, that even the
soothing voice of Seth Perry, who had
come upon her unawares, had no eff
feet on her at first.
Never you mind, lass said Seth,
''things'll all come out right
She answered him only with tears.
He's boun' to ha' left you summat,
loan, my lass, to remember him by;
and, whether or no, you've only TO
speak the word, and theer's one as III
be proud to have you"
Seth, l can't talk with you now"
she said, showing him her damp face
and bright eyes.
Nor come home and take your din
ner with my mother, Joan p
No, no. l mustn't go yet. They'll