The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-11-28

1t was a hot day even for June, and
when the funeral party reentered the
house Mrs. Peters face was extremely
red.
Here they were met by Walter Bat
tersby 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
objected.
Joan had procured cake and sherry,
ut the instigation of Mr.. Cameron. Hut
she had not helped herself to a glass
of the wine, even in spite of the kindly
lawyers suggestion; nor yet to a cr'lmb
of the cake.
She continued alone in the kitchen.
The tramp of strange feet in the re nm
over her did but make fresh tears Well
up from the bountiful source inside
her.
And so the funeral party and the
others sat round old Carmel's table and
waited for Mr.. Cameron to begin. THE
lawyer did not keep them waiting. He
smiled rather dryly, took a glass of
sherry, and drew forth the paper from
it's official blue envelope.
Never was there, in Mrs. Peter Bat
tersby's opinion, a more horri1 and dis
graceful last will and testament.
Certainly, her husband was to re-
ceivo a fourth part of the proceeds of
the sale of the deceased's goods; but
what was a mere fourth?
The other three-fourths were left
of all things-to the Moxford Union,
"to help them to train up more girls
like Joan Smith," Those were the very
words.
To the three girls of Mr.. and Mrs.
Peter the three largest mirrors in the
establishment of No. SO were be-
q%ueathed, without comment. Mr.. Wal
ter Battersby was not even mentioned;
o was Mrs. Peter.
MIR. Cameron received a hundred
pounds, and so did the deceased's cid
friend, Mr.. Craven.
Lastly, Joan was mentioned. She wa
to have a years wages, all the furniture
of her own bedroom, and the large
scrap-book for which she had so often
piled scissors and paste, and which
contained curious items of newspaper
intelligence during the last so wears.
~ fN1FharaH -a0kI--~.- - IIs Il -
is ALL" said Mr.. Cameron; and now J GU
must excuse me. / leave you with my
c~o-trustee, Mr.. Craven"
Zone moment, sir" interposed Mr..
Peter, to whom his wife had whispered
much. whats become of all his money
in the bank? lie must have had thou
sands
'The balance to his credit on May
ST." answered Mr.. Cameron, referring
to a note, was just e45 IS 1od. After
the funeral expenses are paid
whats he done with it?" cried Mrs.
Peter, redder of face than ever.
Il cannot tell you, madam. Good
morning" said the lawyer, who then
wisely left them to fight the matter
out among themselves. But before
he went, he, with his own hands. carried
to Joan in her kitchen, the unwieldy
old scrap-book, and told her thar it
was her property as well as the furni-
ture of her room.
Come, cheer ZIP, my GIRL he said
at parting. your master was fond of
you, and he would rather see you bright
thai downcast. And remember that
| am your friend. if you should happen
to want one"
Joan thanked Mr.. Cameron, and then,
having r%eyerently kissed the old book,
put it on one side.
Mrs. Peter, before she parted, thought
we'll to trespass IN the kitchen and say
some cruel things to Joan. But
how the girl did not mind them very
much now.
Then Seth looked in again, and said
she vas to come up to his mothers iLat
evening. If she didn't he should fetch
her. And TO maize sure of having her,
he carried off the ~scrap-book.
III.
Mrs. Peter Battersby did something