St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-01-25
.JFPTHA BO0LE.

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 a 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 farotf 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 no
might die possessed to his fondly re-
mem bered and we'll beloved brother,
Jeptha. But in case said Jeptha did not
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 flow. There
were no nephews or nieces, 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 or
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 tho
name of Jedediah Sprout. He 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 the
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 a 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, hayward fellow, who under a
cloud had changed his name to Sprout
and who had left 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.
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 &C.
knowledge such shame, and above all,
that from such 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.
~ ask not for prime share of thu
wealth of my fathers relative" h,
said. II am very poor, and mere pit
lance will serve me- Let me share will
the very least. "
But they secuted and jeered and woul(
not listen They received the legal in
structions which he brought from thu
attorney, and then kicked him out.
In a neighboring town lived Kat
Winthrop She had been Kate Wether
bee, but during the very last summer
while other cousins had been cultivat
ing their golden expectations, she ha'
married Jack Winthrop and had settle'
down in snug, quiet home, peaceful
and happy Her husband worked har
for living, and she helped him, an
she was grateful and glad that she ha
the strength so to do.
Jededah Sprout called upon Kat
and presented the attorneys instruc
tons.
"Come Income in and rest" sal
Kate, in her winsome, CHEEKY way
Come in and stop for dinner, but don
say anything about the Boyle property
l don't care to hear it. "
But" urged Jedediah, "you are
rslativep
my mother was cousin, some for
or five times removed answered Kat,
"but | found no claims upon that eli
cumstance. My poor pittance wouldn
be worth the wrangling and tangling
should have to endure, and, moreove
Jack and myself have concluded th'
, we had better paddle our own canoe )
BY and by Jack came in, and to hi
Jedediah presented the subject. B,
Jack was as emphatic as his pretty wi
.. had BEEN He didn't care to mix in Il
feverish, sorambling mess.
, But, said be, "I'll tell you VIII
I will do, MIR. Sprout | have heal
, your story, and in all honor and h,