Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1899-10-16
The Last Will Of
Abel Mitchell.
He Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition Of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE,

WON X O%O% OK ONO *O%O%O%O% O%Os
Abel Mitchell called tt his type
writer.
'You may go, Miss Norris" he said
He did not look up from tile papers be.
fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with little start of surprise.
1t was only 1870. But she quietly put
on her hat and with murmured GOOD
night left the room
Abel listened to the departing rustic
Of her skirts with thoughtful express
sion. There was sensible girl, a girl
who never grated on his feelings. a
girl who asked no useless questions.
She had reached an age of discretion,
| If Jim was determined to marry n
poor girl, why couldn't he have taken
one like Emma Morris?
Abel opened heavy envelope and
drew forth folded paper.
slim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. "Perhaps didn't
invite his confidence. l don't know
Now he has disobeyed my direct COM
mand. That can't be overlooked
When he told me about this girl,
said wait. How long? he asked I'm
til you reach years of discretionv
cried and turned away jim is "a.
TWenty-four. And l married at 81.
Yes, and ran away too. But it was
different with me. My father had
nothing to give me. l was quite indie
pendent. He was glad to have me
shift for myself. Jim's father is a
rich man. Jim's father has given him
dollars where my father begrudged
me pennies. Jim owes me filial obedi-
ence. He has disobeyed me to his bit
ter COST"
He unfolded the paper that he had
taken from the envelope and ran his
Keen gray eye down the closely written
lines
HE has given up his father FOR a
pretty face" he murmured. LET him
stand by the consequences. Who is
she? What is she? 1t matters not No
doubt they trapped him into this mar
riage. "A rich mans son., they chuc-
kled But they'll find they're fooled
Father he said, 4 am to be married
tomorrow night. Will you come with
me to the wedding? turned on my
heel. Then | looked back. You know
the price you may payY l cried. Yes,
father he said, with his head high up.
I know. Goodby, and God bless YOU
He asked a blessing on me! Ha, ha,
ha; that's too rich! But he'll get evil
for good this time I'll cut him off
with dollar. Let him sup on herbs
for awhile. That'll take the veneer
froN loves young dream. I'll draw up
new will at home tonight and have it
witnessed before l sleep And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him I'll Yrite him letter-a letter
he can show to his new relatives.
That's the thing-the letter."
He bent down with his head upon
his hand and his eyes upon the paper.
A rustic Of skirts in the doorway drew
his attention. He did not look up. 1t
was a way he had.
'Ah, Miss Norris" he said, "back
again?" He had quite forgotten that
he had sent her home.
The young girl in the doorway did
not answer. Her bright eyes were fix
ed upon the old man. She expected him
to look up. If he had done so, he would
have seen charming vision. She was
a very pretty girl-dainty and neat
from the tip Of her new hat to the tips
Of her new SHOES. But he did not look
up.
"Just In time" he added. II want
to dictate letter before you CO."
He paused. and the young girl, as If
seized with sudden fancy, quietly
stepped into the room and seated her
self at the typewriter.
"You have been with us so long. Miss
Norris" the old man continued, that
we view you as confidential agent.
Besides this will be public property
very soon. am going to write to my
son. Last night he married an I'M
known girl against my wishes. | am
going to tell him that | wash my
hands Of him and his; that tonight l
change my will, cutting him off with
a solitary dollar. Are you ready?"
The girl at the typewriter gave the
instrument a preliminary click or two.
flames Mitchell" began the .old
man, las you have seen fit to disobey
me, to cast my fatherly wishes in my
teeth, desire you 10 know that have
no wish to hold further communication
with you. While cherish the i'm
preston that you were lured into this
unhappy MARRIAGE
The typewriter stopped.
"Unhanpy marriage" the old man re-
peate:,. "".. the clicking recommended,
..yet |. IT accept this as any excuse
for yo,lr undutiful conduct. Tonight
I change my will, and you may rest
assured that your name will be passed
over with the smallest possible tinan-
cial consideration. l prefer to have
YOU understand this here and now. 1t
will prevent you and your new friends
from ehSshing any fall falfe n ho rpssny VIII
be expected Abel Mitchell"
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine and, bringing is forward,
laid it on the old mans desk. Abel
glanced it through.
"a beautiful copy" he said and care
fully folded it. Then he placed 1t III
an envelope and dipped pen in ink.
81 do not know his address," he sald'
and knit his brows.
The girl at the end of the desk eX-