The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1906-02-02
MISS MARTINS LEGACY

MnI ISIS ANNA MARTIN had lived
! iml all her life in the small vii
lage of Camden. She owned a
tWo-roomed cottage and had an income
which sufticed for her simple wants.
| But when she was fifty, distant rela-
tive died and left her a thousand dol
lars; and on this bright afternoon she
was trying to decide what to do with
the money.
Il don't think 1 need to keep it." she
said to herself. ut doesn't cost me
| much to live, and with what l earn
sewing l 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 a par
lor; 1t 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 a silk dress
yes, two of them, black and a
brown-and a new bonnet. And I'll
give fifty dollars to the church." she
added by way Of afterthought.
But why was it just then she
thought Of the Dilling 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 Dill
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 vera
very discouraging indeed, and a hard
struggle followed. The rent was very
much In arrears; the doctor presented
a 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 a few
months her health failed, and she soon
followed her husband.
Then, Of course, something had to be
done with the little ones Mrs. billing
had often been urged, after the death
Of her husband, to let the children be
separated, but her only answer had
been: LAS long as I 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
childreP, and at last it was decided
, that they should be bound out"
This meant separation, and it was
an 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: They must be provided
with food and shelter some way and If
they could earn their keep, they must
do 1t"
The next morning Miss Martin ate
but little breakfast.
ut seems too bad for the children to
be separated" she unused, as she look
ed out at the billing house. Il hope
they'll be where they can see each
other sometimes. They are good chill
dren-been we'll brought up"
Miss Martins work moved slowly
that morning. She spent much time
looking over at the Dilling house. She
saw Mr.. Randall when he came to take
charge Of the few articles Of furniture
that We're left, and attend to the bind
ing OUT Of the children. The neigh
bors dropped in one by one. and at
length farmer who wanted a bound
boy arrived. He had tried two al
ready. One had run away after a few
months. and the authorities had taken
the other from him on account Of cruel
treatment
Miss Martin shut her lips firmly to-