The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1908-04-07
The WiIIof WidowPeevy
By HUGH PENDEXTER
(Copyrlght.)

lllG llllG III DlSlIlCL 1NO. U. 4NOl uld bhC
fact that he had executed a will in
favor of his sister, Mrs. Nelly Peevy,
who was seriously i'll, cause any rad
Teal comment, as she was his only
next of kin. But each nimble tongue
was set a-wagging when it was known
he had designated the old squire as
executor. For the older generation
could easily remember how Hiram
and the squire came to the parting
of political ways at the threshold
of manhood, and how they had passed
and repassed each other daily for
many years with no show of recogni-
ton.
Now he was dead, and Mrs. Peevy
was an heir and the old squire had
dual cause for wonderment. First, he
was amazed at being named executor;
secondly, he was deeply surprised to
learn Hiram Bascom had accumulated
any property to bequeath. He had al
ways believed the small farm was
mortgaged to the maximum, and his
usually shrewd mind failed to figure
out the source of any assets what
ever.
No such pessimistic speculations dis
turbed his neighbors, however. By
some subtle process of reasoning they
quickly decided hermits and misers
to be synonymic, in that both pos
sessed nothing but secret boards of
gold Else why be a hermit?
That night Mrs. Peevy's inheritance
was the sole topic of interest in Jes-
sup's general store.
Il tell you Hiram Bascom was one
of the shrewdest business heads in
the county," declared the storekeep-
er, ostentatiously swapping shut the
cheese-box cover as he detected old man
Jameson fondling a cracker.
Guess everything he touched
turned to money" suggested Highway
Commissioner Phillpot Even if tn
farm is mortgaged there's probably
considerable free and clear"
Il should say $780," unused the store
keeper slowly.
Five" firmly insisted Mr.. Phillpot,
whose imagination was cumulative.
Il wish Currier was here to tell us
how she's Citing along" said the
storekeeper. Currier was the head
selectman with whom the Widow
Peevy was living.
81 guess he's too busy tryin' to find
out how she's goin' to will it," laughed
Mr.. Phillpot.
Mr.. Currier on entering did not fail
to surmise the drift of the converse
ton, but the knowledge seemed to dis
turb his sad complacency to no de-
gree.
"Hullo, Mr.. Currier!" cried the
storekeeper genially, as the others
smoked in silence; 81 was jest saying
| wished you'd happen in and tell us
how Nelly is"
The head selectman shook his head
dolefully as he replied: 81 guess she's
got to go. Doctor says she's sinkin
fast. Thinks it's her heart" Then
after little pause and as if recalling
it by accident, he added: "She had
lawyer over to-day"
This bit of news caused the group
to stiffen and exchange questioning
glances, while Jessup turned and
nervously began busting the cover of
the bean bin. But when he wheeled
to the stove again his face was devoid
of expression, and he murmured sew
eral times: Poor Nelly! Too bad!"
Then listlessly: "And who will be
poor Melly's heir?"
Mr.
the others seeming indifference in
putting the query, scratched a match
slowly on the rusty stovepipe. and
when assured the tobacco was evenly
lighted, returned: when it comes to
sartainty, don't know. Of course.
| don't hang around sick room
when person is making a will.
don't want her property. I'm no for
tune hunter. Why, l even went so
far as to tell her, right before tn
lawyer, mind We, that she mustn't
leave it to me. l made her promise
she wouldn't"
The silence that followed this sur.
prising assertion was so deep that
even the scampering of mouse in
the back of the room was audible
to all.
But who dye s'pose will cit it?"
whispered the storekeeper behind a
confidential palm, now inclined to ig.
more the stove.
WAL" drawled Mr.. Currier, spread. |
ing his feet as if bracing himself. I've |
see, while l can't accept it, have no |
right to stand in my famly's way. an
was honest enough to tell her so |
An although l didn't ask tn LAWYER
have a pretty strong suspicion that /
either my wife or daughter will he
her heir"
1t was late the next afternoon and
the squire was preparing to walk over
to Curriers' to inquire after the ma.
tient when the selectman ran bur-
riedly into the yard, breathing heavily
Not dead?" cried the squire.
mo, not yet" painted Mr.. Currier
THAT is, she wasn't when l left th'
house. She was taken worse ar
noon. Aaron Jessup, dang him! called
to see her an told her he'd been over
to OtiSVilla tbiS rnorning 49, g.,