The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1917-09-29
THE BULK OF
AN ESTATE
3, HELEN APHERsoN

Old Mrs. Barlow was a queer old
woman. She had property sufficient to
keep her In comfort. and II she had
any more no one except herself WIS
aware OF 1t. for she lived very plainly.
She had one son, whom she treated In
such manner as to best prepare him to
work out for himself an honorable ca
reer. John Barlow was not coddleti;
he was forced to work for every bit OF
pocket money he spent.
When John was eighteen years old
he was offered position In a distant
city. aud 1t was considered advisable
by his mother and himself that he
should accept 1t. Mrs. Barlow had
lived 80 long In her home that she pre-
ferred not to leave 1t, and John went
alone to his new field Of labor. His
mother, being lonely after his depar-
turc. adopted the child Of friend who
died, Mary Chamberlin, twelve years
old.
When Mary became aSA,oman she
showed a rare judgment, aiM Mrs. Bar
tow consulted with her constantly in
making up her mind In matters Of I'M
portance. The girl had the gift of
common sense. which probably ia as
rare und as valuable a gift as can be
bestowed upon any one.
While John Barlow was passing the
period from eighteen to twenty six
away from his mother Mary Chamber
lin 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
possessed. The income was about suf-
hcient to give Mary living; divided
Il would not. John was doing well In
business and did not need 1t. Bin.
John was Mrs. Bartow's own son, and
she did not like to deprive him of her
property at her death, especially II she
left 1t to one In whom he had no In
terest. She said nothing as to this
to either John or Mary. and 1t Is ques-
ti0nable II either thought about 1t.
Finally Mrs. Barlow fell Ill. John
went home quite often during her H.
ness and was greatly relieved. when
obliged to depart, to leave her under
the care Of Mary Chamberlin. Indeed
he was conscious that II he had been
able to remain with his mother be
could not have nursed her as Mary
did. Though be had regarded Mary as
Of practical value to his mother, he
had not before realized what there was
In her.
One day John received a message
that his mother was at the point of
death. He hurried home. but did not
arrive In time to find her alive. Mrs.
Bartow's death seemed to affect Mary
more than 1t did John. The one had
been In constant communication with
her for years; the other had been sep
arated from her.
This is hard on you, Mary" said
John. mot only In depriving you of one
to whom you are attached, but In your
living"
Mary looked at him as though she
had not thought Of this, but made no
reply.
But do not trouble yourself on that
score" John continued. II will see
that you get on
When Mrs. BartOw's will wns open
ed It was found to read: ~ give and
bequeath my twenty mortgage bonds
Of the II. L. and p. railroad to Mary
Chamberlin. who has long been
daughter to me. Tie residue and far
more valuable part of my fortune be-
queath to my beloved son. John Bar
tow, hoping that 1t may bring him as
much comfort as 1t has me. He will
find 1t in bureau dra wer in my bed
room"
John congratulated Mary on being
left with nm income. at the same time
manifesting sufprise that his mother
had left an estate so large that she
should also have been able to leave
him the more valuable part Of her
property. After congratulating Mary
he went to the bureau drawer to pos
sess himself of his Inheritance. When
he came back Mary was waiting for
him, eager to know what he Ind found.
But John. who did not show by his
expression that be had acquired for
tune. said nothing. Mary was not the
girl to ask him questions and refrain
ed. John. however, took her hand and
pressed 1t. as much MS to say: DO not
fenr TINT I covet your. inheritance.
am well satisfied with What my moth
er has DONE" .
The house in which his mother had
lived belonged to John. He told Mary
she was free to remain In 1t without
rent II she chose. She said tearfuIly
that she would be too lonely there and
would seek another home. but where
that home would he she did not know.
Then John told her that II she would
marry him she would find home SO
far as he could make it one She de-
INJURED on the ground that he made
the offer out of love for his mother
rather than for her. But John said
she need have no fear of that; he need.