River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-11-10

And invite MIN 10 dinner frequently,
and he will soon forget"
THAT is another good idea, Sarah"
The WHY mansion was brilliantly
lighted, and crowded with guests. The
rich planters of the Bayou Macon set
Element" with their families, were in
attendance, and also all the village peo-
pie. rich and poor. II was the greatest
event in the social history Of Month
cello.
Miss Mary was dressed in the latest
fashion, which attracted the attention
of all and the envy Of the young ladies.
There was only slight inclination Of
her well-poised head. and meaningless,
mechanical smile on her face as she re-
ceiyed introductions to the guests. She
greeted each with commonplace ex-
preston, which meant nothing or a
great deal-according to the recipient
ooh, I am so delighted to meet you,
Mr.. Lester!" said the debutante, in
very ELUSIVE manner, as her match
making mother brought the rising
young lawyer" to where Mary stood,
surrounded by number of young men,
who were rivaling each other in paying
compliments to the new belle.
Mothers looked on with envy, and their
manageable daughters appeared to be
Indifferent to the progress of Miss
WHY.
The reception was over, and Miss WHY
had made an impression.
Speculation of the village goss1ps
came to an end with the verification OF
the truth of the rumor that the engage
ment between Miss Ellen Austen and
John Lester had been broken. AS usual,
it was said that the young lady had
changed her mind; but, the more think
ing ones saw in the broken engagement
the designing hand Of Mrs. WHY.
Lester loved Miss Austen with all the
ardor of young man whose attach
ments have been few. Yet, like most in
experienced lovers. he was attracted by
this new face, and he mistOok passing
fancy for love. The winsOme smiles Of
the beautiful Miss WHY, her articles
and her dashing manner, made her so
different from the plain country girl,
Ellen Austen, that he could not under
stand how he had brought himself to the
belief that he had ever loved her.
Testers mother foresaw the inevitable.
and pleaded with her son. "Do not
marry a social butterfly, my son! Ellen
will be a good wife, and with her you
will be happy. Mary is tickle. She is
brilliant and pretty, but her education
is superficial. If you hope to advance i'll
your profession, my son, do not marry
woman of fashion"
"Then you wish me to marry house
keeper"
"Your father married a housekeeper,
replied Mrs. Lester, reprovingly.
The advice was unheeded, and the en-
gagement of Lester and Miss WHY was
formally announced.
Extensive preparations had been
made for the brilliant wedding. Every
one in the settlement and the village
was present. One familiar face was alb
sent-Ellen Austen.
"Why, Ellen is not here!" whispered
several. And she was Mary's school,
mate, tool"
"Then it is true?" said another.
The bride was complimented by all,
especially by the young ladies, who
could scarce repress a sigh of envy. The
bridegroom also received many compli-
ments, and all wished the couple the
usual amount of happiness.
After a three-months' tour of the
northern watering resorts, Lester and
his young wife returned and took up
their residence in the WHY mansion.
At the November term of court the
case of John and Ellen Austen, heirs
of Elizabeth Scarborough versus Sam
uel WHY came up for trial. The older
settlers again begun to talk They rec
objected the sudden wealth of Overseer
WHY and wondered how he came into
possession of the plantation and the
$50 head of niggers." The case at
tracted general attention and the court
house was crowded daily. John Lester
appeared for his father-in-law, and
Charles Floyd was the attorney for the
Austen heirs.
Finally, the strongly contested case
ended, and Judge Jackson summed up
his charge to the jury, as follows:
''The alleged will of Mrs. Elizabeth
Scarborough is signed by three witnesses
and appears to be in due form, except
ing that these names are those of fe-
males. Under the statute a female is
not legally qualified to witness a will.
Therefore the court instructs the luz
to return its verdict for the plaintiffs
John and Ellen Austen"
MAY it please the COURT" exclaime,
Lester, excitedly. "That statute is o.
solete, and"
''The statute has never been repealed.
and therefore it is still law! Their. is
no necessity for argument, Mr.. Les en-"
The crowd loudly applauded the YER
dict, and congratulated the heirs
The WHY'S vacated the mansion. and
the Austens received their inheritance.
In few weeks the engagement of Miss
Ellen Austen and Charles Floyd was an
nounced.