The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-06
OLD BATTERsBY'S FoRTI NE.

The High street of Moxford was interest
ed this June day in the funeral of old Car
mel Battersby, whose picturesque hobble
and long gray locks would never again en-
hven the street
He had kept the curiosity shop for about
fifty years The old spinning wheels, spar
1ow-legged chairs. carved cak bureaus,
china of all sorts. war medals, watches,
coins, etc, would. no doubt, now go to the
hammer Moxford would miss the attract
i've window of No. 50 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-
ticns. 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 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 in for good thing.
Blood, you know, as the saying is, is
thicker than water he said he drained
avuncular 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 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 in
quiries why the three Mr.. Rights did not
press for the honor of their small-gloved
bands.
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 "a
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 twenty-five. A quiet,
shrinking, dark-eyed little creature, who
lad revered her dead master quite unac-
countably, 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
a rather clumsy wreath of wild hyacinths
and buttercups on the coffin.
The idea of such thing as thatn' ex-
claimed 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. 1 picked them all
1T shall do nothing of the kind, then;
and your pace 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 wench ought not TO be allowed to
leave this house Peter, she said severely,
too
But Peter was not as cruel as his wife.
Cameron says she is entirely to be trust
ed, he replied, and it's for him to act as
he pleases, he says.
Mr.. Cameron 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.
sensation the hearse ana three coaches
soiemniy passed along it TO the cemetery
en- the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the back entry
with fearful eyes. She was periodically
Convulseo with sobs. She watched the pro-
cession long as ever she could. The
void in her life was imrerse.
So much So indeed, that even the soothing
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 in tears.
He's boun to ha' left you sdmmat, Joan,
my lass, to remember him by; and, whether
or no, you've only to speak the word, and
theirs one II be proud to have you.
Seth, | can't talk with you now she
said showing him her damp face and
fright eyes.
Nor come home and take your dinner
with my mother. Joan?
Nc no. l mustn't go yet. They'll turn
me out soon, / know; but [ must stay till
then"
We'll lass" said Seth you know best;
but I'm fair aching for you, and this night
as is III fetch you to home.
He took her in his arms in the passage,
up which SO many antique articles hao
travelled during the last half century, and
kissed her wet cheeks.
And now L mum get back to work" he
said.