The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-09-06
THE BULK OF
AN ESTATE
By HELEN APlERsoN

SNo nhu property suncient 4
4 seep her In comfort. ana if she ha,
g any more no one except herself wa,
aware OF IT, for she lived very plainly
I she had one son. whom she treated A.
such manner as 10 best prepare him 4,
work out FOR himself an honorable en-
reer John Barlow was not coidled
ne was forced 10 work for every bit oI
/ pocket money he spent.
"nen John was eighteen years OH
ne was offered a position in a distan,
citV, and II was considered advisable
oy bis mother and himself that he
sneuld accept Il. Mrs. Bartow had
: nved so long In her home that she pre-.
neTed not to leave II, and John went
alone TO his new field OF labor. His
mother, being lonely after his depar.
lure adopted the child OF friend who
old.
When Mary became woman she
showed rare judgment, and Mrs. Bar.
tow consulted with her constantly in
making up her mind 10 matters of I'm.
portance. The girl had the Gift Of
common sense, which probably Ia as
rare and as valuable q gift as can be
bestowed upon any one.
While John Barlow was pssaing ths
period from eighteen 70 fwenfy-six
away from his mother Mary Chamber
lip was passing from twelve TO twenty
IN close connection with that mother.
After Mary had lived with Mrs. Bar.
TOW some sIx or seven years the old
lady was puzzled to know Just how
to leave at her death some $4,000 she
possesed. The Income Vas about suf-
hcicnt 10 flve Mary 4 living; divided
u would not. John was doing well In
business and did not need Il. HIT
John was Mrs. Bartows own son, and
she did not like 10 deprive him OF her
property At her death, especially if she
LETT II 20 one IN whom he had no In.
terest she said nothing a. 10 this
20 either John or Mary. and II r anss.
tionabls'if either thought about Il.
Finally Mrs. Barlow fell M. Johr
went home quito often during her m
ness and was greatly relieved, when
Obliged to depart, to leave her under
the care OF Mary Chamberlln. Indeed.
be was conscious that II he had been
able 20 remain with his mother he
could not have nursed her as Mary
did. Though he had regarded Mary as
OF practical value 90 his mother. he
had not before realized what there was
In her.
One day John received message
that his mother was at the point OF
death. He hurried home. but did not
arrive In time TO lind her alive. Mrs.
Bartow's death seemed TO affect Mary
more than II did John. The one had
been Ia constant communication with
her for years; the other had been sep.
nratcd from her.
This Is hard on you. Mary" said
John. moi only IN dcprlvlng you OF one
to whom you are attached. but Ia your
living"
Mary looked at him Us though she
had not thought OF this. but made no |
Iepll.
But do not trouble yourself ON that |
score" john continued II will see
hat you get on"
When Mrs Iiarow's VIII was open
III Il was found 20 read: II give and
Dequeath my twenty mortgage bonds
of the II. l.. and 4. railroad TO Mary
chamberIln. who has long been A
90 me. The residue and fal
more valuable part OF my fortune I be.
lueath 10 my beloved sou. John Bar.
ow. hoping that II may bring him as
much comfort as II has me. He win
Ind II IA a bureau drawer la my bed.
'oon."
John congratulated Mary on being
eff with an income. az the same time
nsnifesting surprise that his mother
lad left an estate no large that she
hould also have been able 20 leave
lien the more valuable part of her
property. After conEratulating Mary
s went 10 the bureau drawer 10 pos
ess himself OF his inheritance. when
q came back Mary was waiting for
Ina. eager 60 know what he had found.
lot John. who did not show by his
xpression that he had acquired a for
nne. said nothing. Mary was not the
lrl 10 ask him questions and refrain
q. John, however. took her hand and
ressed H. as much as TO say; EDO not
EAR that coret your inheritance.
N well satisfied with what my moth.
: has done"
The house IN which his mother had
we'd belonged 70 John. He told Mary
he was free 20 remain In IL without
mt N she chose. She said tearfully
,at she would be too lonely there and
oald seek another home. but where
lat home would be she did not know.
Then John told her that n she would
AIRY him she would find home so
IT as he could make II one. She de
InrredS Sn the ground that he made
10 offer out OF love for his mother
Ither than for her But John said
le need have no fear OF that, he need
her more than she needed him. BE
re John was ready to leave she had
'cepted his offer. and when he went }
e went with HIM Ii
Not long after they were married