Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-12-29
ONE OUT OF SEVEN.
What does this mean?" lie asked

She hesitated.
"Well?"
Il fear-that an obstacle has arisen
to our marriage"
What obstacle could arise?
Two hundred thousand dollars have
been bequeathed to me on condition
that | should not
'Marry?"
"Yes."
And you, choosing between the two
hundred thousand and me, prefer the
money"
1T is such fortune and have such
a desire for it."
Reuben Austin turning away. left
her without a word. 1t was certainly
a strange will, but Benjamin Griffin
was a strange man. He died a bach
elor with no particular love for any
body and no one had any particular
love for him. Benjamin had divided
his fortune equally among seven mar
riageable widows in the town of Rath-
bone, where he resided. He scarcely
knew them, for he avoided the sex in
general. but he knew that they We're
all anxious to be married again at no
distant day.
The condition was that each should
come into possession of her two hun
dred thousand in six months. and
should continue in possession of the
same as long as she remained unmar-
ried; and in the event of the marriag ge
of one, her share should be equally di-
vided among the rest.
The seven widows walked out of the
mouse. That evening there were seven
. N nts.l In n t. II ~
ceived peremptory orders to cease their
attentions. The seventh, good look
ing young man with bright eyes and
honest countenance, called on Mrs.
Douglass with what result we have
seen.
The six other widows watched her
mouse to see II he repeated his visits.
They were wishing he would, for her
snare would then lall to them. The
last week but one before the six
months had passed, Reuben Austin
was busy in the shop whistling at his
work, trying to be merry, though he
had lost twenty pounds since he lost
his love.
'Reubenr'
He turned and saw Mrs. Douglass
Standing in the doorway.
Reuben, l SHAH not take the
money"
DO you prefer me?'
Yes"
Dearest"
Before the week was out they were
married and the other six rejoiced
In Il day or two, according to notitica-
tion, the heirs would hear from the
executor.
|
Mrs. Austin, late Mrs. Douglass. was
summoned with the rest They found
exactly the same company present as
on the former reading.
"a codicil to the will read six months
ago. said the executor, then sealed
and not to be opened until now was at
tached. That codicil it is now nv
business to read to you. 1t is to be
hoped that no one will be unpleasantly
disappointed in view of the terms laid
down in said codicil which reads thus
Whereas, |, Benjamin Griffin, hav-
ing thorough DISCUS for money con
siderations in matrimonial projects
and entertaining n high respect for
matrimonial affection and fidelity
have made my last will and testament
in writing bearing date, etc, and have
hereby bequeathed the value of nv
fourteen hundred thousand dollars ia
seven widows OF, etc, named reSpec.
| lively, each, on condition that each
shall remain permanently unmarried
now | do by this, my writing-whch |
hereby declare to be codicil to nv
said will do hereby order and de.
clare that my will is that the sum of
one hundred thousand be under the
provisions stated divided among said
etc. provided each shall, notwith.
standing the temptation l have set in
| her way, remain true to her matri.
monial engagement with the gentle.
man she now lovingly processes to be
the choice of her heart.
In case one or any of the said, etc
should discard or rail to marry said
man of her choice, / do hereby order
and declare that the said sum or sums
shall to her or them be forfeited and
if one or any of the said, etc, remain
true to said, etc, share or shares fall
ing to the lot of those who proved un
true shall be given to her or them in
equal shares
he hundred thousand dollars then
falls to Mrs. Austin, who, I believe
is the only one among the within
named parties who has adopted the
course which secures Il title to the
money bequeathed."
Six disappointed women filed out OF
the room. The rest of the fortune was
divided among relatives.
81 was so glad that Mrs. Morley, a
second cousin of his got good share
for know she has family to support
and is quite poor" said Mrs. Austin tc
her husband, but | am still more glad
that l was true to you, dear"
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