The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-10-05
The Last Will of
Abel Mitchell.
He Changed His Mind as to the
Disposition of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE.

%O#o#O%O# OK on OK OK Oa$ o X o y O% o i:
Abel Mitchell called to his type.
writer
you may go, Miss Norris" he said.
He did not look up from the papers be-
fore him.
The young woman turned to the
clock with a little start of surprise.
1t was only 4: 80. But she quietly put
night left the room.
Abel listened to the departing rustic
of her skirts with a thoughtful express
sion. There was IA sensible girl, a girl
who never grated on his feelings. Il
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 a heavy envelope and
drew forth a folded paper
Jim never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled Perhaps | didn't
invite his confidence. 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 longY he asked I'm
til you reach years of discretion |
cried and turned away. Jim is "a
Twenty-four And | married at 81
81 3
different with me. My father had
nothing to give me. | was quite indie
pendent. He was glad to have me
shift for myself Jims father Is n
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
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-
Killed.. But they'll find they're fooled.
Father he said, i am to be married
tomorrow night. VIII you come with
me to the weddingY | turned on my
heel. Then looked back You know
the price you may pay cried. yes,
father he said, with his head high I'D.
1 know. Goodby, and God bless YOU
He asked a blessing on me. IIa, 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
from loves young dream. I'll draw up
a new will at home tonight and have 1t
witnessed before | sleep And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him III write 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
rustic of skirts in the doorway drew
his attention. He did not look up. 1t
was way he had.
"Ah, Miss Norris" he said. "back
again. lie had quite forgotten that
he had sent her home.
rhe 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 a charming vision. She was
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. Il want
to dictate a letter before you go"
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 IA confidential agent.
Besides. this will be public property
very sooh 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
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.
James Mitchell" began the old
man, 'as you have seen fit to disobey
me, to cast my fatherly wishes in my
teeth desire you 20 know that | have
no wish to hold further communication