Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1896-11-11

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whose picturesque hohble and long gray
locks would never again enliyen the
street.
He had kept the curiosity shop for
about fifty years. The old spinning
wheels, sparrow-legged chairs, carved
oak bureaus, china of all sorts, war
medals, watches, coins, etc, would no
doubt now go to the hammer. MoX
ford would miss the attractive window
of No. SO 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 ex-
pectations. To be sure, for the last ten
years they had not nterchanged many
words with the late Carmel, who was
Peters only brother; but as Mrs. Peter
remarked when the news of her broth
er-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 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.
/ ~. 4 l., NJ,
and Mrs. Peter without discreet maid
enly elation Their uncle, while he liy-
ed, 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 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
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. Pc
leI eleSdHl eNpfeSSlOH.
With his usual eccentricity, old Car
mel 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 %. 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.
nicely prepared for the funeral. There
was also rather clumsy wreath of
wild hyacinths and buttercups on the
coffin.
'The idea of such a thing as that"
exclaimed 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, 81 should
so like it to go with him. picked them
all myself"
at shall do nothing Of the kind, then;
and your place is in the kitchen, not in
the parlor," retorted Mrs. Peter.
Joan retired, crying bitterly; and Mrs.
Peter flung the wreath into corner.
"The wench ought not to be allowed
to leave this house, Peter" she said Sc
verely, without being searched. The
idea of her being with all these vally-
bles-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 rs he pleases, 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
Guiding 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 solemnly passed along to the
cemetery on the hill.
Joan viewed the start from the back
entry with fearful eye. She was peri
odically convulsed with sobs. She
watched the procession as long as ever
she could. The void in her life was i'm
menSe.
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,
"things'll all come out right"
She answered him with tears
Hes 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 theer's one as u
be proud to have you"
Seth, ! can't talk with you now"