The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1900-05-15

SprOuG was tuaG ne cldlm6u u 10 uodI
relative of Absalom Bogle-nearer by
far than any other living. He claimed
descent from 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,
a wild, wayward 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 impudent2
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 ao-
knowledge such shame, and, above all,
that from such a 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 he tear
fully presented his own claim.
ST ask not for prime share Of the
wealth of my fathers relative" he
said. 81 am very poor, and mere pit
lance will serve me. Let me share with
the very least.
But they secuted and jeered and would
not listen. They received the legal in
structions which he brought from the
attorney, and then kicked him out.
In a neighboring town lived Kate
Winthrop She had been Kate Wether-
bee, but during the very last summer,
while other cousins had been cultivat-
ing their golden expectations, she had
married Jack Winthrop and had settled
down in snug, quiet home, peaceful
and happy Her husband worked hard
for living, and she helped him, and
she was grateful and glad that she had
the strength SO to do.
Jedediah Sprout called upon Kate
and presented the attorneys instruo-
tons
"Come income in and rest,' said
Kate, in her winsome, CHEEKY way.
"Come in and stop for dinner, but don't
say anything about the Boyle property.
/ don't care to hear it. -
"But." urged Jedediah, you are a
relativei''
MY mother was cousin, some four
or five times removed, answered Kate,
''but I found no claims upon that cir
cumstance. My poor pittance wouldn't
be worth the wrangling and tangling I
should have to endure, and, moreover,
Jack and myself have concluded that
we had better paddle our own canoe.
By and by Jack came in, and to him
Jedediah presented the subject. But
Jack was as emphatic as his pretty wife
had been. He didn't care to mix in the
feverisb, scrambling mess.
"But," said he. "I'll tell you what
I will do, Mr.. Sprout I have heard
your story, and in all honor and hu-
mainly think your claims are just. II
you cannot get the share of Absalom
Bogle's property to which you. are
morally entitled, you are welcome to
all you can get in the name Of my wife.
How is that, Kate?'
AZ agree with all my hearth cried
Kate.
The rich moisture in Jedediah's eyes
gave token of the. feelings which he did
not speak. He sat down and ate dinner
with the happy young couple and said
no more upon the subject of business.
The weeks rolled on, and the morn
ing of the 4th of December at length
arrived. In the great, old, shambling
house which had been vacant since the
day Of Absalom Bogle's funeral an
anxious crew were assembled.
On that very morning Jack and Kate
Winthrop had been visited by Mr..
Spooner, who had asked their attend
ance on the coming occasion. They had
replied to him that they had no interest
In the matter.
"But - said Mr. Spooner, "Jedediah
Sprout tells me that you will give your
share to him. .
"If he can get it, - added Jack.
"If he is to get it at all, " said the
attorney. sit will be necessary that you
and your wife should be there to relin-
quish it. .
'On your honor, Nx. Spooner, dc
you think our presence would help poor
Jedediah Sprout?' asked Kate
The attorney replied that he thought
it would.
"Then, said Kate. 'we will go.
What say you, Jack?"
Jack consented, and SO it transpired
that Kate Winthrop and her husband
were present at the eventful meeting.
The cousins Of closer degree scowled
upon them when they entered, and one
wheezy old spinster informed them that
it would have looked better If they had
remained away
"Not nearer than the sixth or eighth
remove at best, !" put in an ancient
maiden Of ascetic aspect. "Uhl The as
surance of some folksp'
The hour slipped on. and the impor-
tant meridian was close at hand. All
had assured themselves that Jeptha
Boyle was not in the land Of the living.
At all events he had not been heard
from. And then followed comparing
of notes touching respective nearness OF
Relationship. Genealogical registers Of