Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-12-06
NEW SERIES, VOL. XxXIII, NO. 40.


you cannot get the share OF AbsaIom
Bogle's property to which You are
morally entitled, you are welcome to
all you can get In the name of my wife.
How is that, Kate?''
Kate.
gave token of the feelings which he did
not speak. He sat down and ate dinner
with the happy young couple and said
no more upon the subject of business.
The weeks rolled on, and the morn
ing of the 4th of December at length
arrived. In the great, old, shambling
house which had been vacant since the
day of Absalom Bogle's funeral an
anxious crew were assembled.
On that very morning Jack and Kate
Winthrop had been visited by Mr.
Spooner, who had asked their attend
ance on the coming occasion. They had
replied toihim that they had no interest
in the matter.
But, /" said Mr.. Spooner, 'sJedediah
Sprout tells me that you will give your
share to him.
If he can get it. added Jack.
If he is to get it at all, ~ said the
attorney, sit will be necessary that you
and your wife should be there to relin-
quish it,
"on your honor, Mr. spooner, do
you think our presence would help poor
Jedediah Sprout?" asked Kate.
The attorney replied that he thought
it would.
"rhen," said Kate. 1--WE will go.
What Hyoy, sTaoIr9iI
Jack consented, and so it transpired
that Kate Winthrop and her husband
were present at the eventful meeting.
The cousins of closer degree soowled
upon them when they entered, and one
wheezy old spinster informed them that
it would have looked better if they had
remained away.
Not nearer than the sixth or eighth
remove at best" put in an ancient
maiden Of ascetic aspect. Uhl The as
surance of some folksP'
The hour slipped on, and the impor-
tant meridian was close at hand. All
had assured themselves that Jeptha
Boyle was not in the land of the living.
At all events he had not been heard
from. And then followed comparing
of notes touching respective nearness of
relationship. Genealogical registers of
all kinds were at hand, and it was very
evident that not few of them had
been recently altered and amended.
elimination and recrimination result
ed, and belligerent outburst was on
the tapis when the clock struck 12. and
with the last stroke of the fateful bell
Mr.. Spooner appeared upon the scene,
and with him came the man called Jed
ediah Sprout.
Ladies and gentlemen and very gooi
friends, said the attorney with form
al bow, "I have the pleasure of intro
ducing to you your very obedient and
humble cousin, Jeptha Boyle. He bids
you welcome to his mansion and begs
that you will honor him with your
company to dinner
Boglel" cried spinster number one,
starting up. "What Bogle?"
Its base deceptionI'' exclaimed
the ancient maiden of ascetic visage.
"Who is Jeptha Boglei'' demanded a
low browed haberdasher, upsetting his
chair as he arose and coming very near
to upsetting a wien faced old bachelor
who sat next to him.
II am Jeptha Boyle" said the attor-
liz uOW dDpeAI6u
suit of black velvet and looked like a
very kind hearted. benign old gentle-
man. 81 am the only brother of Absa-
lom Boyle, who died one year ago in
this house. came from South America
six months ago and made myself known
to Mr.. Spooner. told him had no
use for all the money my brother had
left, and that Twas willing to divide
the greater part of it with the distant
relatives.
Mr.. Spooner applauded my motive,
but advised me to examine for myself
and select the worthy ones. So called
myself Sprout and went at the work.
AS you would have done unto Jedediah
Sprout, l give you full permission to do
unto yourselves. Dinner viii be ready
in half an hour, but you will excuse me
from sitting at table with you, as am
engaged elsewhere-Jack and Kate
Winthrop will come with me. AS they
were not of the heirs expectant their
presence in this assembly is no longer
necessary.
From astonishment to indignation
and from Indignation to boiling wrath
surged the cousins of all degrees, and
in such wrathfuI mood they found no
appetite for dinner, and one by one or
in muttering, cursing pairs they crawl
ed away, invoking all sorts of maledic-