Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-08-26

neighbors boy brought back the Jar,
neatly wrapped in . newspaper,
what treat she had afforded her
fneighbor.
4 what is it, Willie:' she asked
the boy.
i. It's the jar that had the wild
plum sass in it, said Willie. Miss
Akerly says she is much obliged.
and she gave me ginger cookey
for bringing it back, she did.
I Father said Leah, reproachful-
| ly to the old man. this is thy do
| ings. Thee is Always thinking of
some one else.'
sit has done me more good than
if ! had eaten it myself. Leah, said
Friend Decker, apologetically.
Leah ran to him and gave him a
hug.
Thee is an old darling, father
said she, 'and thee makes me
ashamed of my own temper some
times.
She put the jar on the top shelf
of the little pantry, aud never
thought anything more about it till
one day she wanted jar to put
some fresh cranberries in. She was
in hurry, for Miss Auastasia Ak
erly was to be buried that after
noon. She had died as She lived,
sitting alone before the fire and
this was the day they had appoint
ed for her funeral.
Friend Decker had expressed
desire to attend the obseauies of
the kinswoman who had been so
little to him, and Leah was hurry
ing through her work so that she
might brush the well-worn suit and
take a much needed stitch in the
coarse worsted gloves.
AS she tore off the newspaper
wrappings she stepped suddenly.
Father she cried, here is a
thick, yellowish paper rolled up
and put inside this jar that came
from Friend Anastasia's. What
does thee suppose it is Father it
is q will y
She ran eagerly with it to Friend
Decker. He looked obviously at
the outside.
Thee is right, Leah said he.
Friend Anastasia's heart has soft
ened towards us. This is doubt
less the will she mentioned, the
will in favor of Moses Sawyer. She
has sent it to us to destroy. Nay,
daughter, nay as Leah eagerly
caught it mp and hastened toward
the fire. 'Give it to me. 1t is not
for us to make or meddle. IL
Friend Anastasia wished the will
destroyed she should have done it
herself. | shall take it back to
Friend johnson, the executor
Father cried Leah, thee would
,, not give him the will? p
Does thee think it would be an
honorable thing TO destroy it,
Leah p
If she wanted us to do so, faith
err
But we have no right to persume
anything of the sort, daughter,
reasoned Friend Decker, buttoning
it up under his coat. Nay, nay,
do not fret For Leah, overcome
, by the sudden blaze Of hope, aud
the after hlackness of despair, had
burst into flood of tears. 1T will
be we'll with us, never fear.
Judge johnson, the z. eat man oi
the neighborhood, received the pa.
per with some surprise.
December sixth, he read. Hum.
this is the latest document she hai
executed. Oh, yes; | remember il
very well; drew it up myself. But
why did you bring it here. Friend
Decker p
The old man briefly related the
circumstances.
'Old people are apt to be ca.
; priciors.' said he, Doubtless the
trifiing matter of the plum sauce
pleased her and she sought to re
!. ward Us. But should never take
+. advantage of Friend Moses b,
burning the will.
But why in the name Of common
sense should You burn it. said the
Judge. Are you in the habit oi
having estates left to you every daI
that you dispose Of them SO readi
{ ly:
n i don't think quite under