Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-12-06
JEPTHA BOGLE.

Absalom Boyle was rich old bach
elor-worth his hundreds of thousands
and Absalom Boyle died. During all
his life he had been known to form but
one strong friendship and that was for
his only brother, who, in the other
years, had helped him to prospect in
the coal mines-his brother Jeptha.
This Jeptha, unfortunately for himself,
had not been misanthrope. He had
loved and had been Tilted, and just
when his prospects of success with his
brother Absalom had been Frightening
he had thrown up all his business and
gone to farof parts-to parts SO far
away that not a word had been heard
of him from that time.
And Absalom Boyle died. He depart
ed this mundane life on the fourth day of
December, at noon. When his will was
opened, which event transpired in the
presence of many relatives, its provisions
were found to be very simple. First, he
bequeathed everything of which he
might die possessed to his fondly re-
membered and we'll beloved brother,
O0pGAds OuG al StAs0 StAll1 O6Jluh Ulu uUb
present himself and claim the benefit
within one year from the death of the
testator then the property was to be
divided among his other relatives, ac-
cording to their rank of kin.
Only in one direction. setting aside
his brother Jeptha, did the tide of rela-
tionship to Absalom Boyle Gow. There
were no nephews or uieces, no uncles,
or aunts, but only cousins. There were
two first cousins, four or five second
cousins, several third and fourth cousins,
and SO on, in increasing ratio as they
were farther and farther removed.
Sidney Spooner, Esq, was the attor-
ney whom Boyle had selected to hold
in trust his estate. When the frosts of
October had begun to trace their deli
cate pencilings upon the crisp foliage,
Mr.. Spooner sent his clerk around
among the relatives of Absalom Boyle
to bid them prepare for presenting their
claims at the appointed time. If the
long absent brother did not show him
self ON or before noon of the fourth day
of the coming December, the property
would be theirs.
This clerk of Mr. Spooner was a
quaint old fellow, answering to the
name of Jedediah Sprout de never
hesitated to acknowledge that the at
torney had taken him in out of charity,
and in his humble way he sought to
serve his patron faithfully. But tho
most wonderful thing about Jedediah
Sprout was that he claimed to be near
relative of Absalom Bogle-nearer by
far than any other living. He claimed
descent from brother of Absalom-an
elder brother, much older than either
Absalom or Jeptha-who had died in
South America many years ago. The
cousins looked up the family history
and found that the ancient brother in
question had been one Solomon Boyle,
wild, wayward fellow, who under a
cloud had changed his name to Sprout
and who had left no record. of having
ever married. Jedediah acknowledged
ried, and yet he had the hardihood to
claim to be his son.
Gould anything be more impudent!
The cousins, from the first to the six
teenth remove, held up their hands in
holy horror. That man in possession
of his senses should unblushingly ac-
knowledge such shame, and, above all,
that from such a slough of ignominy he
should thrust himself into Relationship
with honest people
And yet Jedediah Sprout worked in
his humble station for Mr. Spooner. He
visited the cousins with his instructions
from his patron, and to each ne tear
fully presented his own claim.
81 ask not for a prime share of the
wealth of my fathers relative" Z" he
said. 81 am very poor, and mere pit
tance will serve me. Let me share with
the very least. y
But they secuted and jeered and would
not listen. They received the legal in
structions which he brought from the
attorney, and then kicked him out.
In a neighboring town lived Kate
Winthrop. She had been Kate Wether-
bee, but during the very last summer,
while other cousins had been cuItivat-
ing their golden expectations, she had
married Jack Winthrop and had settled
down in snug, quiet home, peaceful
and happy. Her husband worked hard
for living, and she helped him, and
she was grateful and glad that she had
the strength so to do.
Jedediah Sprout called upon Kate
and presented the attorneys instruo-
tions.
Come income in and rest, - said
Kate, in her winsome, CHEEKY way.
"Come in and stop for dinner, but don t
say anything about the Boyle property.
don't care to hear it.
but, " urged Jedediah, ''you are
relatiyeP'
"My mother was cousin, some four
or five times removed, y answered Kate,
"but found no claims upon that cir
oumstance. My poor pittance wouldn't
be worth the wrangling and tangling
should have to endure, and. moreover.
Jack and myself have concluded that
we had better paddle our own canoe.
By and by Jack came in, and to him
Jedediah presented the subject. But
Jack was as emphatic as his pretty wife
had been. He didn t care to mix in the
feverish, scrambling mess.
''But, y said he, I'll tell you what
will do, Mr.. sprout have heard
your story, and in all honor and hu.
manity think your claims are Just. 4