Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-14
The Argus Daily Short Story
Thomasine's Choice-By Clarissa MacIde
Copyrighted. 1910. by Associated Literary Press.

Morgan especially emphasizes the fact
that each article and all ii contains is
to go to the one who takes 1t away.
She also suggests that the distribution
be made by choice. the oldest one hav-
ing first choice. This. ! think, would
be very proper"
every WELL" said Ann Squires eager
IT, She was the frstborn among
them. The others slgnlfed assent with
more or less satisfaction according to
age Thomasine Wells felt very help
less somehow. She would have liked
to choose the mahogany work table. 1t
was very pretty. with glass knobs on
the drawers. but it was very likely
that one of the others would want
that.
Thomasine was quite poor. She had
been apprenticed to dressmaker
when she was fifteen. and now she
sewed at home IN the few rooms she
hired In n small town fifty miles from
Little River The other heirs were well
TO do farmer folk who had had many
opportunities to visit Aunt Lucia and
shower attentions upon her declining
struggle for a livelihood, and only her
occasional letters and the carefully
made Christmas gifts she made kept
her in touch with her old aunt. When
she had been a little girl she had
spent much time with Aunt Lucia and
loved her dearly. and now she was
grateful that the old lady had even
remembered her sufficiently to men,
ton her name in so important a dOcu-
ment as a will
"As Miss Wells must return to her
home early tomorrow morning" re-
marked the lawyer, sit would seem
best for the heirs to make their choice
now, and after the will has been pro-
bated the articles will be sent on to
the owners. 1 have a list of the heirs
compiled from the family Bible, and
as Mrs. Ann Squires is the oldest she
must have first choice OF the furni-
ture." He nodded to the lady in queS-
ton.
III take the bedstead and mat
tresSes and all 1t contains" said Ann
SQuires hastily.
Fanny Ray smiled bitterly and bent
her head to that of Jane Morris. II
knew she'd take thatI / suppose she
thinks the mattresses are stuffed with
banknotes."
"Humphr' said Jane sourly. ITS
my turn next, Fanny, because you al
ways claimed you was the youngest,
you know"
Mrs. Ray smiled sheepishly. Its
got TO go according to the records"
she said family.
Now. Mrs. Ray" said the lawyer
sharply.
''I'lI take the bureau" said Fanny
quickly. The bureau afforded much
space for secreting treasure, and there
might even be a hidden drawer.
George Giles looked a the work ia
Bile, but he was a bachelor and shook
his head Then he chose the morris
chair. and Luke Howe passed the work
table and chose a patent rocker be-
cause the covering was red. Jane Nor
ris fidgeted impatiently while they
were choosing. At last her turn came.
II wanted that morris chair" she
said bitterly, 'but as it's gone iii
have TO take the work table, although
I've got one already" She looked con
temptuously at the remaining article,
a small round cherry stand.
I'll leave you the chair when I'm
gone,' grinned George Giles
Now, Miss ThomAsine," encouraged
the lawyer.
"I'II take the stand" said TbomasIne
forlornly.
"Now. the other things. Mrs. Squires,
your turn again"
"Tbe marble clock" said Ann prompt
~. Jane and Fanny exchanged smiles.
''The vases said Fanny Ray.
Lamp" said George Giles.
Luke Howe smirked ct his reflection
In the looking glass and said he'd take
that. much 10 Jane Morris chagTin-
"ADdiFons," she snapped viciously,
though / dent want 'emr'
9Th take the parrot" faltered
as each one arose and be-
gan 10 investigate his or her especial
choice. Hhey were not unkind people,
but each one was uncousciousiy greedy
Of gain ana none of them rea ilzed that
the youngest cousin vas poor and that
the inheritance that mad fallen 40 her
share was the poorest OF the lot Aft