Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1913-01-11
A FIREBRAND
How II Was Thrown Be.
tween Two Girls
BY EMMA ALDRIcH

Muldridec was one Of those men
who are 10 dead set In their ways that
they are liable to ovcrrcach them
selves. lie was so anxious to get rich
that he wouldn't marry lest the ex-
pcnsc of family would prevent his
accomplishing his object. When he
had accumulated fortune he found
himself without a chick or child In
the world 10 pass II ON to. Then II
was n splendid property, consisting OF
houses and lands. He couldn't enjoy
II himself lie was too old. II he had
son lie might he Interested during
his last days teaching the boy how to
take care of Il and ut his death see 1t
pass into the possession Of his own
flesh and blood.
hut, not having son or n child ut
all. he set himself TO make such pro
vision as would insure the passage OF
his estate 10 one OF his nieces. II he
had had nephew he would have left
II to him. But he hadn't a nephew.
ard of his two nlcccs. one. the daugh-
ter of his sister Anna. was but twelve;
the other. the daughter of his sister
Elizabeth. thirteen. Had he not been
so wrapped up In his fortune as n
whole and DESTROYS of having II go as
n whole to Il descendant he would
have left half Of 1t TO one niece and
half TO the other. But his object was
to provide for II remaining undivided
rather than to make any person or per-
sons happy. Indeed. he didn't wish to
make any one happy. II was his de-
light to make persons miserable. Not
exactly that either: he loved to Sc.
them nj odds. lie would sell the same
thing 10 or buy II from two different
persons. then set them TO quarreling
over which should have the preference.
part in the wrangling.
Like most persons who wish to indi-
rcctly retain the management Of their
property after death. Muldridgc made
will with that intent. He left his
estate In the hands OF trustee till his
niece. Alice Mortimer. and her younger
cousin. Sadie Brown, should have
passed twenty years OF age. On the
latter's twentieth birthday at IL o'clock
noon the trustee was to announce In
presence Of both girls that the one first
married should inherit the whole of his
estate. Ills main object was TO do all
he could toward having n posthumous
grandncphew. and he further tied up
the estate 50 that II should go to the
first son born to the niece who should
win II.
And so II came about that Misses
Alice Mortimer ana Sadie Brown grew
up neither of them knowing that when
Sadie should reach her twentieth birth
day they would lie called upsi TO hur-
~ for n husband or lose fortune. II
may he supposed that had they been
Informed Of the terms of their uncle's
will each would have provided n man
for the occasion. But II Is questionable
II this is SO. Miss Mortimer was an
lncorrigiblc firt. and II Is doubtful II
even the contingent possession OF
wealth would enable her to make up
her mind between several men she had
dangling about her. Miss Brown WIS
demurc little body. and since II would
be necessary for her TO intimate TO
some man that she would like him 10
marry her 1t IS quite likely That she
would lose the inheritance.
Muldrldgc died year before this
birthday OF Sadie Brown on which
hung half million dollars. His trus
tee, John Andrews. who by the terms
Of the will was TO be well paid out OF
the estate for keeping the secret. sue.
ceeded admirably In holding his tongue
and few days before Miss Brown
birthday notified the parties interested
that "a bequcst Of their uncle. Martin
Niuldridgc. IN which they were con.
cerned would TO made known 10 them.
They We're fo come To the trustees Of
flee half nh hour before noon tha
there might be m slip In compliance
with the law.
The cousins had not been near neigh
bors and arccly knew ench other.
Both arrived ~ tile trustees Oiics
promptly NJ .:sU o'clock and greciea
each other IN u friendly manner. In.
deed. they had reason 10 he pleased
with the situation. rs they supposed II
10 bc. Tor II was 10 he Inferred that
each was 10 come In FOR Il nice share
Of Uncle Martins estate. They sat chat.
ting TIL the rlorks began 10 strike IL
when the trustee entered from his pri.
waite Office with the Muldridge will in
his hand and. untying the red tape
about Il. rcad them the document.
When he had finished he said 20 them;
"yonng ladies. you have heard the
provisions of the will. II either Of you
mnrries II will he TO your interest IA
request the clergyman who marrics You
10 carefully note the hour minute and
second and make affidavit 10 that 81
feet before notary or such person as
Is authorized 10 take acknowledg-
mcnts."
A..