The Penn's Grove record., 1896-10-30
,,,LUME XIX.

locks would never again enllven the
street.
He had kept the curiosity shop for
about fifty years. The old spinning
wheels, sparrow-legged chairs, carved
oak bureaus, ching of all sorts. war
anedais, watches, coins, ETC., would nc
doubt now go to the hammer. Mox-
ford would miss the attractive 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 mad extremely comfortable <,
pectatlons. To be sure, for the last ten
words with the late Carmel, who was
Peters only brother; but as Mrs. Peter
remarked when the news of her broth
er-in-Iaw'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 Her and
Chickens that he was in for a 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 avuncular bereavement.
Nor were the three daughters Of Mr..
and Mrs. Peter without discreet maid
emily citation. Their uncle, while he liv.
ed, was such a figure that they never
cared to look at him. Besides, he hadn't
a very civil tongue; liked to be eaustic
about their high-heeled shoes and ex.
tensive 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 q
single tear would be shed for the old
curiosity a
OF course there was his little servant
girl, Joan Smith. But she was only "a
workhouse hussy," to borrow Mrs. Pc
tsr's elegant expression.
With his usual eccentricity, old Car
mel had taken a 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 %. 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
worked for the Moxford Tin Plate Com
pany, she had had no one else to care
for.
Mr.. and Mrs. Peter found No. IS
aicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also a rather clumsy wreath OF
wild hyacinths and buttercups on the
coffin.
1.-THE Idea of such a thing as thatF
exclaimed Mrs. Peter, touching the
wreath with the tip of her parasol.
Joan was heal at the time. She burst
into tears at these words.
"Please, ma'am," she said, 81 should
20 like 1t to go with him. Ipicked them
all myself"
ut shall do nothing of the kind, then
and your place Is In the kitchen, moi In
the parlor," retorted Mrs. Peter.
Joan retired, crying bitterly; and Mrs
Peter iung the wreath into a corner.
1.-THE wench ought not to be allowed
d leave this house, Peter" she said Sc
verely, without being searched. The
Idea of her being with all these vally.
6les-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
70 act as he pleasea, he says"
Mr.. Cameron was the Moxford law.
yer who had charge of the old curiosity
mans affairs.
Two or three others now arrived, In
GLIDING the lawyer, Mr.. Hurst, the
Methodist New Connection minister.
and old Craven, the silversmith.
Then High street enjoyed Its lit.
tie sensation as the hearse and three
coaches solemniy passed along to the
cemetery on the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the back
sntry with fearful eye. She was peri
odlcaliy ~convulsed with sobs. She
watched the procession as long as ever
she could. The void In he9 life was I'm,
uense.
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 mind. lass" said Seth,
stthings1l all come out right"
She answered him with tears.
"He's boun''to he left you summat,
Joan. my lass, to remember him by;
and, whether or no, you've only 10
speak the word, and theirs one as ~
be proud to have you"
Seth, / can't talk with you now"
she said, showing him her damp face
and bright eyes.
Nor come home and take your din
nsr with my mother, Joan"
mo, no. l mustn't go yet. They'll
urn me out soon, l know; but l must
stay till then"
We'll. lass" said Seth, you know
best; but I'm fair aching for you, and
this night as is I'll fetch you TO home"
He took her in his arms In the pas.
sage, up which so many antique articles
had Travelled during the last half ecu
tury. and kissed her wet cheeks.
"And now I nun 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
vel.
Here they were met by Walter Bat
tersby and the three girls.
This vas Mrs. Peters arrangement,
THE more witnesses there are the
safer Nm hA" she ss&1 aAlAAlR& Of