Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-03-22
Uncle Abraham'S Legacy.

Althougl. in past years Silas Bragg
and his family had been the sole re-
cipients of many benefactions from
ULcle Abraham, as the burden of old
age began 10 heap itself upon him and
his earning powers became proper
tionately less and less, the aforesaid
family began TO ponder over the prob
lem of getting rid of the decrepit old
gentleman against. the time when bis
feebleness should make him absolute
ly dependent.
Uncle Abe, as he was called, had
served as Confederate soldier in the
Civil War. When Lee surrendered
at Appomatto1 he, with thousands Of
other soldiers, trudged back to the
places they had left four years pre-
viously. But time and war had
wrought amazing changes everywhere.
The few blood relations that Uncle
Abe possessed were all gone. Some
had died in battle and those who re-
mained had moved to other parts. AT.
ter looking about the village he final
ly made arrangements for board and
lodging at the Bragg homestead, and
with a small square box, the only
thing he carried, domiciled himself at
that place.
During the first years Uncle Abe
found his environments to be congen-
ial and his sojourn, as already stated,
proved to be exceedingly profitable to
Silas Bragg, who, having won the COD
6dence and gratitude Of the ex-sol-
der. came into possession OF property
of consid cradle value.
Consequently it was great shock
to Uncle Abe when he learned that 1T
was the purpose of the Braggs to cast
him out, now that they held the title
to all his property. 1t had been his
desire to live out his days at this
place. He had received intimations
of their designs through the increas-
ing irritableness of Mrs. Bragg and
the unkindness of other members OF
the household. For days and weeks
afterward he moped about the little
village in weary and detected man
ner. The people would gaze after
him when he passed and remark that
Uncle Abe was going down mighty
fast.
This state of affairs continued for
nearly month then it was noticed
that the veteran seemed to have ta-
ken a new hold on life. He moved
about with an agility that belied his
years; he laughed and joked with a
zest that was surprising. and, above
all. there lurked in his eyes mis-
chievous twinkle and glitter that the
loungers at the village store had never
taken note OF before. However much
the wonder was, DO solution was ever
reached by them.
The real cause ofthis gayety on the
part of Uncle Abe lay in the fact that
certain things had been happening al
the Braggs'. Only a few evenings be-
fore, Mr.. Silas Bragg. on arriving
home in a rather lottery condition
strongly admonished Mrs. Bragg be.
cause she apparently had not acted &C.
cording to his instructions.
"Where's old gray coat p he quer'
led. "Is he gone yet ? Mop Didn't ]
say bounce him? What dye mean P
goin to keep him here to eat fellel
out O. house and homer Didn't tel
ye to make it hot for 'im2 I'm q
honest man, / am, an l don't want
to be hard on nobody. but he's dons
eat up the wuth of everything / got
out O. him an l amt goin' to hav,
i'm any longer. Now, ye get rid o
i'm; poster the life out o. him spill
hot coffee on i'm. Dye hear me2
say. get rid Of i'm.
Having delivered himself of thes'
weigbty remarks. Mr.. Bragg settled
comfortably down in chair and dozec
off into deep slumber.
On the following morning Uncle
Abe did not appear at the breakfas
table as he was usually wont to do
Mr.. Bragg, having eat his breakfast
again commanded Mrs. BRAGG te
"maks it hot for him." and departed
! An hour passed. Still Uncle Abe dit