The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-05-08

your foresight and ability
.And so | do, it is true; but the law
makes no provision about our common
property"
But make it yourself, then, John,
if the law does not. Make will so
that in case of my death, my two
daughters shall have at least third OF
all YOU are worth at that time, or, if
you prefer, but third might feel
that it ought to half-in my name, or
perhaps the home, and let that go to
our daughters"
''But if put the home in your name
so that in case of losses something
would be saved from creditors, should
want it willed back to be at your death
so that | could still have home and
do as I liked with it."
and then nothing would go to the
children at my death? That is not fair,
John, and | have worked too hard and
long to be willing for that"
"Well, B>ts,y, YOU can trust me to
do the right thing. l will think it
over and he kissed her rs they closed
the not altogether satisfactory CONVEX
satiOn.
As was to be expected, Betsy Craw-
ford broke down from the wear and
tear of life, and died, leaving her two
daughters to the care of fond and not
ungenerous father The loss was a
great one to John Crawford. She had
been his competent advisor, with tact
and good sense to keep matters right.
She had guided more than he ever sus-
pected. He mourned her sincerely, as
did her two devoted daughters.
lie was lonely, and in time married
again, Il woman considerably younger
than himself, member of the same
church, an ambitious and not over
scrupulous woman. When her son
was born she became desirOus that
every advantage should be placed be-
fore him that he might attain wealth
and honor. She convinced Mr.. Craw
ford. in thousand nameless ways, that
the boy W ould need most ofthe property
for business, to marry well and to car
rv down the family name. She talked
with Mr.. Crawford about the uncar-
taintv of life. and, with tact, urged
that other things besides 4 spiritual
preparation for death were necessary.
A man should think of the younger
members of his family who would be
left comparatively helpless.
People said that the strong-willed
John Crawford had become very much
under the sway of his younger wife;
that he had grown less dominant, more
appreciative, and more thoughtful OF
her needs and wishes. He idolized his
son, but he seemed no dearer than
the daughters of Betsey. He was a
more expensive child, for he needed all
sorts of playthings, the best schooling,
the best clothes. and somewhat large
amount of spending money. 1t was
evident that John Crawford, Jr., would
require more money than his half-sis-
ters.
In course of time, Mr.. Crawford,
having served term in Congress,
through good ability and the discreet
use of money in organizing his forces,
and having done we'll for his constit-
uencv. followed Betsey to the other
world. To the surprise of all save the
second Mrs. Crawford, the property
was left to her and her son, with the
merest remembrance to the unmarried
daughters of working Betsey
Crawtor
IL would't have thought it," said a
prominent lady in the church. Why,
John Crawford was deacon, and pro
frssed to live according to right and
Justice! There must have been undue
influence. His wife worked like a slave
to help earn that money. | never
supposed man would be unfair to his
children"
You never can tell w.nt ol>s will
do" said another church member.
Youth and tact are great forces in
the world. John Crawford never meant
to be unjust. but he couldn't help it.
\ third of that property ought to have
cone to those taugters. Why didn't
his wife make him fix it before she
ded?''
"Mavbc she tried. who knows" said
the person addressed. IF the law
didn't make him do his duty, how
could YOU expect his conscience to do
it," We need some new laws about
the property which men and women
earn together"
Mr.. Crawford's injustice resulted in
in the early death Of one daughter,
and the bitter m ,mories of her father
in the heart of the other.-7he Inde'
pendent.