Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-10-21

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~ only piece of furni-
ture 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
had 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 n 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 amousted 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 a 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 boosted four.
1.-The tester bedstead! Why, I al
ways supposed l was to have that. |
was with Uncle Abner more than any
Of the other nieces, and I'm sure it
would be his wish, and Mrs. Ganson 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. "
lit 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 me as if there should be no
doubt as to where the bedstead be-
longs"
The Coles family was a 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
well. And she had even been known
to laugh at her husband and his rela-
tives that they had paid such homage
to 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 a voice
that trembled with emotion:
I've never had any other thought
1 If outllyed sister Desire but that that
highpost bedstead would come to me.
] wasa little girl twelve years old when
Desire was married, and the very next
winter after | came out from the farm
to stay with her and tend school. I'll
never forget how pleased 1 was, when
brother Abner told me was to sleer
in the high post bedstead up in the
spare room. can remember iist as
well as if it was Yesterday how Desir,