The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-09-13
The Last Will of
Abel Mitchell.
He Changed His Mind IA to tho
Disposition of His Property.
BY w. r. ROSE.

ef w. u. hoSE.
*oMoMo%o%o&o&o&o&o*oxo&o~oa
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 Il little start eff surprise.
1t was only 4:30. 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 II thoughtful express
sion There was II sensible girl. girl
who never grated on his feelings,
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 Morrls2
Abel opened II heavy envelope and
drew forth folded paper.
"Jlm never was confidential with
me-" he grumbled. Perhaps l didn't
invite his confidence. don't know.
Now he has dlsobeycd my direct com
mnnd. That can't be overlooked.
When he told me about this girl,
said wait. How longr he asked. I'm
I'll you reach years OF dlscretlonp /
cried ana turned away. Jim Is "a.
Twenty And | married at 81.
Yes, and ran away too. hut II was
different with me. Ny father had
nothing TO give me. | was quite indie
pendent. lie was glad TO have me
shift for myself. Jms father Is a
rich man. Jlm's father has given him
dollars where my father begrudged
me pennies. Jim owes me filal obodI-
encc. He has dlsobeycd 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.
lie has given UP his father for
pretty face" he murmured. LET him
stand by the consequences. Who IL
shot What Is she? 1t matters not. No
MUM th'J iiHDhtd MN InNO tIlIS mar
rlage. "A rich mans son. they chuc-
killed.. But they'll find they're fooled.
Father he said, Il nm to be married
tomorrow night. VIII you come with
me to the weddlngY | turned on my
heel. Then looked back. You know
the price you may payr | cried. Yes,
father he said, with his head high up.
I know. Goodby, and God bless YOU
He asked blessing on me! IIn, In,
In; 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. Thnt'll take the veneer
from loves young dream. I'll draw I'D
new viii Mt home tonight and have It
witnessed before ! sleep. And to let
him know what his foolish fancy has
cost him III write him lettcr-a letter
he can show TO his new relatives.
That's the thing-the letter"
lie 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. II
was way he had.
"Ab, Miss Norris" he said, "back
agalnT He had quite forgotten TINT
he Ind 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 Ind done 3d. he would
have seen charming vision. She was
very pretty gIrl-daInty and neat
from the tip of her new Int to the tips
of her new shoes But he did not look
up.
"Just In time" he added. 81 want
to dictate letter before you GO"
lie paused, md the young girl, rs IL
seized with II sudden fancy, quietly
stepped into the room ana seated her
self at the typewriter.
"You have been with US so long, Miss
Morris" the old man continued, that
we view you as confidential agent
Besides, this will be public property
very soon. l am going to write to my
son. Last night he married an UNI
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
n solitary dollar. Are you ready?"
The girl mt the typewriter gave the
instrument 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 TO know that | llave
no wish to hold further communication
with you. While ! cherish the Inn
preston that you were lured into this
unhappy marrlage"-
The typewriter stopped.
Unhappy marriage" the old man re-
peatcd, and the clicking recommended,
yet | cannot accept this as any excuse
for your undutiful conduct. Tonight
I change my will, and you may rest
assured that your name Will be passed
over with the smallest possible llnan-
clnl consideration | prefer TO have
you understand this here and now. 1t
will prevent you and your new friends
rom chershlng any false hopes. This
is all have TO say, and no reply will
be expected. Abel Mitchell"
The young girl drew the sheet from
the machine and, bringing is forward.
laid 1t on the old mans desk Abel
glanced 1t through.
"a beautiful copy" he said and care
fully folded 1t. Then he placed II In
an envelope and dipped n pen in Ink.
II do not know his address," he said.
and knit his brows.
The girl ut the END of the desk ex-
tended her hand.
''If you have no objection" she
quietly said, Il VIII deliver 1t to him in
person"