The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1906-09-06
MISS MARTINS LEGACY
nNIss ANNA MARTIN had nvss

nm ISIS ANNA MARTIN had lived
)M1l all her life in the small VII
iage OF Camden She owned a
fwo7roomed cottage and had an income
which sufticed for her simple wants.
But when she was fifty. distant rela-
i've died and left her a thousand dol
lars; and on this bright afternoon she
was trying to decide what TO do with
the money
don't think l need to keep it." she
said TO herself. 1T doesn't cost me
much 70 live. and with what I earn
sewing | have more than enough for
my needs, and shall have something
Tor sickness or old age No, I'll use
that thousand dollars. III have a par
ior; 1t won't cost much to have one
built on. about fourteen feet square.
III have Brussels carpet on the floor.
and nice furniture and two large oil
paintings Then I'll have a Sill dress
yes, two OF them. a black and a
brown-and a new bonnet. And III
give nifty dollars to the church she
added by way OF afterthought.
But why was II just then she
thought OF the billing children-three
In number-who on the morrow would
be bound OUT to live with any per
son who might be willing to take the
responsibility OF caring for them?
About two years before, Charles Dbl
ling had met with an accident which
confined him to the house for months.
and finally took him away forever.
When Mrs DillIng had time to look
about her after this blow, things were
very discouragiDg indeed. and a hard {
struggle followed The rent was very |
much In arrears; the doctor presented c
q bill which fairly took her breath {
away, and there were numerous other [
accounts which must be paid She I
sold part Of her furniture, and then B
worked early and late: but In a few c
months her health failed, and she soon Il
followed her husband. .
Then. Of course, something had to be L
lone with the little ones Mrs. billing
had often been urged. after the death b
" her husband TO let the children be d
separated, but her only answer had Il
been: "As long as / can work. they
hah be kept together" nj
This answer was sufficient for all Ri
Who knew Mrs DHling. But now she
vas gone. something must be done. a
There was no relative to care for the 81
hildren. and at last it was decided b.
hat they should be bound out" II
This meant separation, and It was til
n appalling thought to the children. CO
Tho were knit together by the ties Of
lore than ordinary strength. No other th
curse presented itself, however. and W
5 Mr.. Randall, the overseer Of the
cor, said: They must be provided VI
nth food and shelter some way. and IL ~
hey could earn their keep, they must da
0 it."
The next morning Miss Martin ate
ut little breakfast.
ut seems too bad for the children TO KIN
separated" she unused. as she look hir
out at the billing house. II hope
iey'n be where they can see each
her sometimes. They are good chill EN-
'en-been well brought up"
Miss Martins work moved slowly Ms
at morning. She spent much time mo
oking over at the billing house. She J
W Mr.. Randall when he came to take no,
arge OF the few articles Of furniture pee
at were left, and attend to the bind. the
9 out Of the children. The neigh las
RS dropped In one by one, and at ba
lgth farmer who wanted a bound use
y arrived. He had tried two al car
ldy. One had run away after few at,
'nths. and the authorities had taken 4
} other from him on account Of cruel ten.
atment -
Idiss Martin shut her Lips firmly to Ma