The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1911-04-17
How the Mills u
Were Saved
BY ELLEN F. MORSE.
Copyright by American Press Assoc
citation 1911
BY ELLEN F. MORSE


can go away and fight the world for
themselves. but that's not 50 easyfor
girls. Nevertheless, did that very
thing.
After mothers death father took
into the house to take care OF me--he
saba woman about his own age. He
saw the folly of this plan when It was
too late. There was something about
the woman, or perhaps some weak
spot In father. that enabled her to
dominate him. And as for me, she
made my life one Of misery.
When was seventeen, having stood
we'll In my classes at school. was
offered position as governess in the
Opdyke family. accepted it TO get
away from my stepmother. l taught
the younger children Of the family.
There was son. Harry, year or
two older than I, who was clerk for
his father, manufacturer OF paper.
The Opdyke family considered them
selves very well or when went to
live with them They were dreadfuily
afraid that Harry would fall in love
with me. They had no objection to me
except that they wished him to make
good match. which. being interpret
ed, means one with money.
didn't know it at the time, but my
father had considerable property 1t
was In securities in (Which he had In
4, vested what money he had after a
panic. When / left home he still had
these securities. but they We're not
available. He was keeping them for a
time when the commercial depression
had passed and the property they rep
resented would resume the payment of
dividends. Therefore either he was
not In position to give me any In
come, or IL he was his wife prevented
him from doing SO.
| remained in the 0pdyke family
FIVE years Meanwhile Harry had be-
come his fathers right hand man at
the mills. He had permitted himself
to fall In love with me, but knew
that although the family thought
great deal of me they were looking
higher for him; consequently | would
NOT yield to bis wishes for be-
trothaI.
! Several matters Of Importance to Us
, all came about at very near the same
time In the FIRST place, Mr.. Opdyke,
\ who had been carrying debt on his
mills, found himself unable to provide
for 1t my longer. In the second place.
my father died and my stepmother
produced will leaving all his prop
efty to her. Harry told me eoniden-
TALLY Of the condition of the family
affairs and said that, now we were on
the same financial basis, we had bet
ter Join our fortunes. what a pity
said to him, that my father didn't
leave me some of his property might
have helped your father and you
through your difficulties"
gave way to Harry's persuasive
efforts and we became engaged.
although we kept the engagement a
secret. Under these conditions Harry
took an interest In my personal affairs.
told him great deal about my step
mother, and he suggested taking legal
steps to break the will. But after talk
Ing the matter over we both agreed
that there were no grounds for break
Ing ft--at least none that we could
prove. Ny father was probably of
sound mind at the time be made 1t,
and could not prove that his wife
had used undue influence to induce
j. him to make 1t In her favor. The only
objection could bring up was that my
father had told me shortly before bis
death that my stepmother HAD tried to
force him into making win In her
favor, but he was firmly resolved to
make no will.
made up my mind TO have a look
at the document. ! took Harry with
me to the court where Ii had been
filed. and 1t was shown to me. II was
not In my fathers handwriting. but
was familiar with his signature. aud 1t
seemed 10 me TO be genuine, noticed
that the witnesses and and the notary
were all Of my stepmother's choosing.
At least, there were none or fathers
friends among them. The document
had not been executed on a regular
, form, but on sheet Of ordinary paper.
After examining il thoroughly | hand
ed 1t to Harry.
Persons In the paper business are
apt to acquire habit on taking up a
sheet of paper OF holding 1t up to the
, light and booking Mt the watermark
, on 1t, Harry did this, at the same
time rubbing the surface With his
thumb and finger | saw by the ex-
preston on his face that he had made
discovery Hurrledly looking at the
date on which the will was made he
turned to me and said:
THAT will Is forgery"
How do you know" J exclaimed.
catching my breath.
THE paper was made IN our mills
not year ago. and the will was made
three years ago. In other words, the
will was made two years before the
paper"
Are you snre%
"Yes, and we have the date in the
mills to prove what / say"
Though was delighted, was mad
and resolved to send my stepmother
to state prison. But atterward COM
promised by her signing on her wild
ow's dover and my not prosecuting
70. So