The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1898-12-09
JEPTHA BOGLE.

Absalom Bogle was a rich old bach
elor-v orth 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 Cor
his only brother, who, in the other
years, had helped him to prospect in
the coal mines-his brother Iepti:a
This Jeptha, unfortunately for himself,
had rot been a misanthrope He had
loved and had been Tilted, and just
when his prospects Of success with his
brother Abs;IlUm had been Frightening
lie had thrown up all his business and
gone to farotf parts-to parts so far
away that not a wCrd had been heard
Of him from that time.
And Ahsalom Boyle died. He depart
ed this mundane life on the fourth day Of
December, at noon. When his will was
opened, which event TRANSFERRED III 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-
iHembered and well beloved brother,
Jeptha. But ii case said Jcptha did not
present himself and claim the benefit
within one year from the death Ct the
testator then the property WAS to he
divided among his other relatives, &C
Cording to their rank Of kin.
Only in one direction. setting aside
bis brother .,Jeptha, did the tidG7cf Tela-
tionship to AbsaIom Boyle flow. There
were no nephews or nieces, no uncles,
ur aunts, but only cousins. There were
two first cousins, four or five second
cousins, several third and fourth cousins,
and so on, i'll increasing latio as they
were farther and farther removed.
Sidney Spooner, Esq, was the attor-
ney whom Boyle had selected to hold
III trust his estate. When tho fTCsts cf
October had begun to trace their deli
cate pencilings upon the crisp foliage,
Mr.. SFConer sent his clerk around
among tie relatives of Absalom Boyle
to bid them prepare fer presenting their
claims at the appointed time. If the
long absent brother did not show him
self Gu or before noon of the fourth day
of the coming December, the property
would be theirs.
This clerk of Mr.. Spooncr was
quaint old fellow, answering to the
name of .IcdCdiah Sprout. lie Eevcr
hesitated to acknowledge that the at
torney Lad taken him in out of charity,
and in his humble way he sought to
serve his patron faithfully. But tie
most wonderful thing about Jcdediah
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 ono Solomon Boyle
a wild, Maynard fellow, who under
cloud had changed his name to SprOut
and who had lett no record Of having
ever married. Jedediah acknowledged
that the said Solomon had never mar
ried, and yet he had the hardihood to
claim to be his son.
Could anything be more impudent:
The cousins, from the first 20 the six
teenth remove, held up their hands in
holy horror That man III possession
Of his senses should unblushiEgly &C
knowledge such shame. ard, above all,
that from such slough of ignomiuy 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 prime share Of the
wealth Of my fathers relative" he
said. II am very poor ard a mere pit
lance will serve me. Let me share with
the very least"
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 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 III snug, quiet home, peaceful
and happy Her husband worked hard
for living, and ste helped hlm, and
size was grateful AID Giad That she had
tho strength 50 to uo.
JeGediah IproGt called upon Kate
and presented the attorneys instruc-
tions.
Core in come i'll and rest" said