The herald., 1896-11-06
A HIDDEN LEGACY.

n IllDUuly HIItN Az l..
The High street of Mozford was inter-
ested this Juno day in the funeral of old
Carmel Battersby, whose picturesque hob
Bile and long gray locks would never again
enliven the street.
lie had kept the curiosity shop for about
so 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 50 almost as much as
the quaint form of it's 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 the 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 ola-
tion. 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 bo 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 Il single
tear would be shed fer the old curiosity
man.
OF course there was his little servant
girl, Joan Smith. But she was only "a
workhouse hussy," to borrow Mrs Peters
elegant expression.
With his usual eccentrioity, old Carmel
had taken girl from the Moxford union
after the death Of his elderly housebeeper,
Mrs Roberts. Joan was that servant. and
she had served him truly for the last six
years, being now but 22. A quiet, shrink.
ing, dark eyed little creature, who had
revered her dead master quite unacount-
ably and devoted herself to him heart and
/
worked for tho Moxford Tin Plate COM
pany she had bad no ono 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
! "The idea of such q thing as that!" ex-
claimed Mrs Peter, touching the wreath
| with the tip of her parasol.
Joan was near ut tho time. She burst
1 ino tears at these words:
/ "Please, ma am, she said, ~ should so
like it to go with him. picked them all
myself.
/ cit shall do nothing of the kind then,
and your place is in the kitchen, not in the
parloS, retortcd Mrs Peter.
Joan retired, crying bitterly, and Mrs.
PeterNtlung the wreath into corner.
| "The wench 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 lawyer
who had charge of the old curiosity man 8
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 it 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 SO, 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'll 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 theer's one as'l be proud to
have you"
"Seth, can't talk with you now," she
said showing him her damp face and
bright eyes.
"Nor come homo and take your dinner
with my mother, Joan?''
NO, no. L IuuSuH SO ySu. Iuoy IL
turn me out soon, know, but must stay
till then. e"
"Well, lass, said Seth, 'you know best,
but I'm fair aching foryou, and this night
as is I'll fetch you to home"
He took her in his arms in the passage,
up which so many antique articles had
travelled during the last half century, and
kissed her wet cheeks
"And now must get back to work,
he said.
1t was a 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.
"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 as he was concerned, however,
young Walter had fully intended to be
present, even If his father and mother OBJ
| ioctod