The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-07-03
HIS CARE Of
BELINDA
BY s. r. .STERJ
COPYRIGHT, 1909, by T. C. Mcclure

SOOu morning, NutnaH. bouhu hor
town."
Yep. I'm goin' to court. This morn
in, you know, the will Of my poor
dear brother Abel comes up for pro-
bate
Blythe Dunton shifted. Poor dear
brother, ch? You know you hope he
wasn't poor, and as long RS he lived he
certainly wasn't dear. You hated him
worsc'n poison, and he hated you
worse'n that. I am OIL my way to
court too. Dcssay 1 amt far wrong In
sayin' there's n little surprise in store
for you, Nathan Darley. Eth, Belinda?"
Belinda did not answer, but trudged
along. quietly swishing her remnant Of
n tail and waving her long cars. Be-
linda, you sec, was donkey-gray, old
and dignifieH-and I'm her Nathan Mt
once recognized former possession Of
his deceased relative.
you'll be tcllin' me presently" said
Nathan, with fine sarcasm, that my
brother left his property to that lame
Gle mule"
"No, I won't" said Blythe senten-
tiously.- You'll find it out soon enough
without my tellin' you. Your brother
had to leave his property to some don
key, you'll admit. Maybe he preferred
one he loved to one lie didn't"
Old Judge Smith had taken his place
when they arrived ut the courthouse.
"Will Of Abel barley, formerly Of
Baslow Heath" called one of the
clerks, and two lawyers stepped for
ward to the counsel table. Nathans
representative, James Burroughs, who
laborcd under the local pscudonym Of
Screw Jim," was first. He was close
ly followed by Ged Smith, brother to
the judge and proponcnt of the docu-
ment.
The crowd leaned forward in rapt at
tention as the clerk commenced to
read the will The disposition of Abel's
property had been the subject Of end
less speculation throughout the district,
and half the voting population were
there to listen.
The clerk began in droning mono
tone, 81, Abel Darlcy, being of sound
and disposing mind, do hereby make,
publish and declare the following as
and for my last will and testament"
The next few lines Of technical COM
monplace were lost in n tumble Of in
articulate speech. Then the clerk
raised his voice:
"All my estate, both real and person
nj, l give, devise and bcQueath to my
beloved friend. Blythe Dunton. as trus-
tee for the following purposes: TO in
vest the same and to apply the income
and as much of the principal us may be
necessary to the care. education. main
tcnance and we'll being Of my beloved
the death of the said Belinda the re-
maindcr is bequeathcd to my brother.
Nathan barley Of Baslow Common"
When the clerk had finished Screw
Jim arose to address the court. III
your honor please. I object to the pro-
bntc OF this Will on the ground that the
chief beneficiary is an improper person
In the eyes Of the law and incompetent
to inherit. The will is invalid"
Hear him!' shouted Gcd Smith
Improper person! She amt person
Mt all. And as for her bcin' incom-
pctcilt " IL 1911 50. III you cun
show me statute on the books of this
great and free commonwealth that for
bids donkey to be an hcress, l want
to see it. She amt Il lunatic, is She?
She amt q corporation or body pol
itic. She amt n married woman. She
nin't q alien. In fact, there isn't n
single law framed by the legislator Of
this liberty lovin' state that impugns
In any way the tcstamcntary provision
OF our late friend and citizen"
The court interrupted. "Mr. Bur-
roughs. you represent the residuary
lcgatee, MIR. Nathan Darlcy. II you
can show me single precedent up
holding your contention, I will deny
probate. Otherwise I must admit the
will. Mr.. Dunton. you may consider
yourself guardian Of Miss Belinda. 4
moment, please. Isis your ward in
courtT'
4 litter ran around the room rs Dun
ton appeared leading his four footed
charge down the center aisle of tire
courtroom. There she stood, blinking
soiemnly and apparently oblivous Of
her good fortune. When the court in
Quircd i'm n scpulchral tone whether
Miss Belinda. surname unknown,
knew any reason why Blythe Dunton
OF Baslow Hill should not he appointed
her true and lawful guardian" she gave
no sign Of dsapproval. The crowd
left the courtroom. Blythe Dunton
filed his bond and removed Miss Be
linda. the donkey heircss, to her home.
From that doy RpIiD1n liyol In Of ylo
She was straightway installed in the
parlor Of the Dunton household, which
was converted into stable for her
benefit.
Six months passed, and nothing had
been heard Of the threatened appeal.
Then, late one Sunday night. Rlythe