Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-09-18

Ll@ about in time, ant
NzMzza that is when WI
WHIIls@ come to divid,
SNI@N Aunt De ire e.
~ things, I'd like the
NA> tester bedstead,
TS and Mrs. Redferr
49, leaned forward in
@t the carriage that
~1 she might get hel
~ long crepe veil in
0 place. cts the
~ only piece of furni.
lure that came from Uncle Abner's
home, and I'd prize it above every.
thing else."
The funeral procession had gone
some distance bearing the remains Of
Mrs. Desire Boutwell, toward the
country cemetery, three miles off,
when the foregoing remark was made.
These mourners in this first carriage
aad talked over many things as they
slowly logged along over the rough.
rutted road. How, just five years pre-
vious, even to the month, they had
buried their uncle. Then they dwelt
at length on the last illness of their
aunt and had brought up many of the
events that had taken place in that
long life of eighty-one years.
Mrs. Boutwell, was deeply loved by
all, and many tears were shed by these
relatives as they thus conversed to-
gether of her. For, having no chill
dren of her own, her heart had gone
out in double interest toward the
children of her brothers and sisters
and their families. But besides being
so universally loved, the Coles family,
one and all, looked up to this relative
in consequence of being connected
with one of the most aristocratic fam
lilies in Mount Otto. Desire Coles
had married Abner Boutwell,, the son
of Judge Boutwell,, the latter of whom
was prominent in the early history of
tie town. In fact, so important was
this parsonage in the affairs of the
village that there was saying that
when Judge Boutwell, took pinch of
snuff all the inhabitants sneezed in
sympathy.
Now, it did not matter to the Coles
family that this son had amounted to
little--that he had always been con-
tent to live upon the money his wife
had inherited-and that he had been
somewhat Incorporate all his life; they
had all regarded him as gentleman
and overlooked these shortcomings.
The Coles family had been pioneers
in Mount Otto, too, but they had sim
ply been known for their thrift and
their ability to make money. But all
of this they would gladly have ex-
changed for just one of the rampant
lions, of which the Boutwell, coat-of-
arms boasted four.
"The tester bedstead! Why, I al
ways supposed I was to have that l
was with Uncle Abner more than any
of the other nieces, and I'm sure it
would be his wish, and Mrs. Ganson's s
pale and usually placid countenance
was flushed and disturbed. She had
seen great deal of trouble in her life.
time-had lost her home and property
but had borne it all with such pa
tient resignation that the family had
come to believe that she was above
caring much for material things.
"Well," spoke up third occupant
Of the carriage, who was designated in
the family always as "Abner's wife,"
'it has never even occurred to me, but
that tester bedstead would naturally
come to our branch of the family.
Abner often spoke of it, when he was
alive, that Of course it would fall to
him for his name, and then, as we
called our only son the same, it does
seem to Ine as if there should be no
doubt as to where the bedstead be-
longs"
The Coles family was most united
family, who seemed to see only the
good in one another, but they had
found it very hard to overlook one trait
in Abner's wife. That was her SEEM
ing disregard for the name of Bout
we'll. And she had even been known
10 laugh at her husband and his rela-
lives that they had paid such homage
10 it. And now here she was putting
in her claim for the only article of fur
niture that had come from Judge Bout
wells home.
There was still another murmur in
the carriage-an old lady who had
been weeping silently all through the
dialogue. She had sat almost immov-
able, excepting as she from time to
Time nervously clutched her black
bordered handkerchief. Now she
aroused herself, and said in voice
that trembled with emotion:
'I've never had any other thought
II I outlived sister Desire but that that
highpost bedstesd would come to me.
was little girl twelve years old when
Desire was married, and the very next
winter after I came ont from the farm
10 stay with her and tend school. I'll
never forget how pleased I was when
brother Abner told me I was to sleep
in the high-post bedstead up in the
spare room. can remember jist as
we'll as il it was Yesterday how Desire
lsed to iron the bed every night with
he warming pan. / haven't got long
'or this world-I'll be seventy-five my
1ext birthday--and it does seem to me
hat should have the bedstead while
stay. I'm sure if Desire could speak
his minute she'd tell me to take it,"
"Aunt Hester, where on earth could
vou put it in your little house, I'd
ike to knowP" spoke up Mrs. Red
|ern, excitedly. ''Such a bedstead,
with its tester and valance needs a
very large room, and it seems to me
,ur house is the one most fitting in
which to show off Judge Boutwells
bedstesd.
Mrs. Redfern was the richest mem.