The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-11-21

sage, up Wnicn so many antique artl-
cles had travelled during the last half
century, and kissed her wet cheeks.
Sand now / nun get back to work, F."
he said.
1t was hot day even for June, and
when the funeral party re entered 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. abiding,
of course, to the reading of her broth
er-in-law's will. Besides" che add.
ed, "they may hear something nice
for themselves.
As far as he was concerned, how
ever, young Walter had fully intended
to be present, even if his father and
mother objected.
Joan continued alone in the kitchen.
The tramp of strange feet in the room
over her did but make fresh tears we'll
up from the bountiful source inside
her.
And so the funeral party and the
others sat round old Carmefs table
and waited for Mr.. Cameron to begin.
The lawyer did not keep them waiting.
He smiled rather dryly and drew forth
the paper from its official blue enve'
lope.
Never was there, In Mrs. Peter
Battersby's opinion, u more horrid and
disgraceful last will and testament.
Certainly, her husband was to re-
ceive fourth of the proceeds OF the
sale of the deceased's goods; but what
was q mere fourth?
The other three-fourths were left
of all things-to tho 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 thres largest mirrors IN the
establishment of No. SO were be-
queathed without comment. Mr.. Wal
ter Battersby was not even mentioned,
nor was Mrs. Peters.
Mr.. Cameron received q hundred
pounds, and so did the deceased's old
friend, Mr.. Craven.
Lastly, Joan was mentioned. She
was to have years wages, all the fur
niture of her own bedroom, and the
old scrap book for which she had so
often piled scissors and paste, and
which contained curious items of news
paper intelligence during tho last
thirty years.
/ "There, gentleman and ladies, that
is ALL" said Mr.. Cameron; sand now
you must excuse me. leave you with
my co-trustee, Mr.. Craven.
"One moment, sir" interposed Mr..
Peter, to whom his wife had whispered
much. "What's become of all his
money in the bank? He must have
had thousands"
"The balance to his credit on May
81" answered Mr.. Cameron, referring
to note, ''was just 945 SIS, 10d.
After the funeral expenses are paid"
| "What's he done with it?" cried
Mrs. Peter, redder OF face than ever.
81 cannot tell you, madam. Good
morning, said the lawyer, who then
wisely left them to fight the matter
ont 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 that il
was her property as well as the furni.
ture of her room.
"Come, cheer up, my girl" he said
at parting. "Your master was fond
of you, and he would rather see you
bright than downcast. And remem
Der that I am your friend II you
should happen to want one.
Joan thanked Mr.. Cameron, and
then, having reverently kissed the ole
book, put it one side.
| Mrs. Peter, before she parted
thought well to trespass in the kitchen
and cay some cruel things to Joan
But somehow the girl did not mint
them very much now.
| Then Seth looked in again, and sale
she was to come up to his mother
that evening. If she didn't he shoul'
fetch her. And to make sure of hav
ing her he carried off the big SCRAP
book.
| Mrs. Peter Battersby did something
else before she left No. SO.
Together with her disappointed Sol
and darling Walter, she climbed th
stairs to Joan's little attic, and took {
hammer with her.
sTt's the very kind of spiteful thin!
he'd be likely to do" she said. "bu
Ill not stand it-robbing his own fiesl
and blood for a workhouse brat.
Mr.. Peter left her to her own de
vices. He, Mr.. Craven, and the tire
vexed Indeed, insuited) girls wen
away together.
Then Mrs. Peter studiously searchc
.Joan's attic from wall to wall. Sh