Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-03-04
A WIDOWS
RUSE
By MARGARET c. DEvEREAux

he owned, one David Dupont. His
wife bore him one child. a son. and
when the baby was but year old the
rather died, leaving his property to his
vile In trust for his son. But Du-
points affairs had always been in the
hands Of one John Coulter, In whose
business ability and integrity the
Planter had every confidence. He
therefore left the management of the
estate to Coulter as executor.
Mrs. Dupont had always distrusted
Coulter, but so great was his influence
over her husband that she dared not
speak her mind
One day she set out from the plan
tation to visit friend Her trunks
were taken to the. station by the ne
groes, but the widow carried in her
hand what in those days was called
bandbox made of pasteboard, intended
Tor the carrying of women's bonnets
or mems hats. This box she would
trust to no other hands than her
own. She told all of the household
that her baby was to remain in the
hands of Chloe, his nanny, and no
one else was to have anything to do
with him.
Mrs. Dupont had been away from
the plantation but a few days when
Choices husband. Sampson, appeared
to inform her that little Archie, her
son, was very Ill. She hurried home
and, going to the sickroom. shut her
self up there. giving orders that no
one except the doctor. who had been
the family physician for years, was to
be admitted. The doctor came and
went. but when asked how the baby
was getting on always hurried away
without giving any satisfaction. One
day when he came out Of the sick
room he said:
ITS all over"
Two days later Simpson carried a
little coffin from the house, followed
by the widow. the boys nanny and
all the negroes on the plantatio There
were walls from the dusky mourners,
but none walled so loud as the dead
boys nanny. The coffin was carried
to the family cemetery. where it was
placed In grave that had been pre-
pared for 1t.
John Coulter during Archie's sick
hess, death and burial was away on
business. When he returned he found
his plans seriously interfered with.
There was provision In David Du'
points will that If his son died before
his widow the estate should be hers
instead Of in trust for the boy. The
widow at once claimed the property
and told Coulter that he must turn
1t over to her.
The executor was in hole. He had
Partly accomplished his plans to get
possession of the property and had it
not been for the child's death would
doubtless soon have got 1t into a posi-
ton where he would appear to be the
rightful owner. AS 1t was, he could
only undo what he had done and turn
the estate over to the widow. He was
long while doing it. and she was
obliged on several occasions to threat
en- him with charge of misappropria-
ton to force him to disgorge When
he had done so she dismissed him. hop
ing that he would leave the neighbor
hood But in the service of the Dupont
family he had accumulated some mon
ey, with which he bought small plan
tation in an adjoining county, where
he settled.
Some eight or nine years after Archie
Dupont's death the widow brought to
the plantation boy whose age was
given as twelve years and adopted him.
George Etheridge was the boys name.
and he soon became favOrite with all
the household. Chloe and Mrs. Dupont
both seemed to have transferred to him
their love for little Archie. George
grew up a fine fellow and. thanks to
his mother by adoption. was well edu-
Gated
When Etheridge was about to be-
come of age Mrs. Dupont granted him
a celebration of the event. The plant
ers from round about We're invited TO
the fete. and. strange to say. John
Coulter. who had continued to prosper
and had become prominent citizen.
received an invitation. Surprise was
at the extent of the prep
arations. and some persons who re-
the boys age as given out
when he came to the plantation de-
,lared that he had come of age year
Dr. two before.
However. there was fine gathering
In honor of the event. On the birthday
when the clock struck II the guests
were gathered on IA lawn near the
house Mrs. Dupont was there with
George Etheridge, old Chloe and all
the household negroes.
my friends" said the widow. land
Mr.. Coulter. this is my 'son. Archl-
bald Dupont. When he was year
old gave out that he was dead. This
| did in order to get possession OF my
which was passing into the
hands of the executor of the estate
took my baby away in handbook
Chloa nc 7 had arranged with her,