Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-01-15
MISS MARTINS LEGACY

YNm ISIS ANNA MARTIN had lived
jWVl all her life in the small vii
lagr of Camden. She owned Il
tWo-roomed cottage ana had an income
which Sutlired for her simple wants.
Hut when she was fifty. Il distant rela-
ti>" died and left her Il thousand dol
lars; ana Oh this bright afternoon she
was trying to decide what to do with
the money.
Il don't think need to keep it," she
said to herself 1T doesn't cost me
much to live. and with what earn
sewing have more than enough for
my needs, and shall have something
for sickness or old age. No. I'll use
that thousand dollars I'll have par
lor; it won't cost much to have one
built on. about fourteen feet square.
I'll have Brussels carpet on the floor,
and nice furniture and two large oil
paintings. Then I'll have Il silk dress
yes. two of them. black and Il
broWn-nnd IL new bonnet. And III
give fifty dollars to the church," she
added 10y way of afterthought
But why was it just then she
thought of the billing children-thrce
fl number-wlio on the morrow would
be bound out to live with any per-
son who might he willing to take the
responsibility of caring for them:
About two years before, Charles Dill
ling had met with an accident which
confined him to the house for months
and finally took him away forever
When Mrs. billing had time to look
about her after this blow. things were
very discouraging indeed. and hard
struggle followed. Ehe rent was very
much in arrears: the doctor presented
Il bill which fairly took her breath
away. and there were numerous other
accounts which must be paid She
sold part of her furniture. and then
worked early and late; but in Il few
months her health failed. and she soon
followed her husband
Then. of course. something had to he
done with the little ones. Mrs. billing
had often been urged after the deaf
Of her husband. to let the children he
separated, but her only answer had
been: AS long ns | can work. they
shall be kept together"
This answer was sufficient for all
who knew Mrs. billing. But now she
was gone. something must be done.
There was no relative to care for the
children and at last it was decided
that they should be 'bound out
This meant separation. and it was
M appalling thought to the children.
who were knit together by the ties of
more than ordinary strength. No other
course presented itself. however. and
as Mr.. Randall. the overseer of the
poor. said: "'rhey must he provided
with food and shelter some way, and If
they could earn their keep. they must
do it,
The next morning Miss Martin ate
but little breakfast.
I'll seems too bad for the children to
be separated" she muscd us She look
ed out ut the billing house. Il hope
they'll lie where they can see enc
other sometimes. They are good chill
dren-becn we'll brought up"
Miss Martins work moved SLOWLY
that morning. She spent much time
looking over at the billing house. Sh,
saw Mr.. Randall when he came to take
charge OF tile few articles of frrnitur,
that were left. and attend to the bind
ing out of the children. The neigh
bors dropped in one by one, and a
length farmer who wanted Il boun,
boy arrived He had tried two al
ready. One had run away after few
months. and the authorities had takel
TN. other from him on account of crue
treatment
Hiss Martin shut her lips firmly to