Year: 1877




It is about ten years ago, when followed
nv calling in Willenhall and Walsall, | was
sent for somewhat hastily to attend an old fel-
low-I cannot call him gentleman, though he
was rich enough---who lived In solitary square
house away from the high road, and was sup
posed to be dying.


had often seen old Weston, or "old
Moneybags," as he was called, walking about
and talking to the locksmiths and nallmakers,
men and women both /; and it was from one OF
the latter AmaZons, whose head was plaster
ing ND after a free fight with rival OF the
him.


"Theer goes owd Moneybags after his rents.
They say he's mint of money in tn bank, an
lots O. houses; an it'll a fa to his gran child,
a lad no bigger nor eawr Sam"


She then went on to tell me that Jim Wes-
ton had invented new kind of lock, and, TAX
ing out patent for his invention, had thereby
amassed fortune, and it would all fall to
bow who had put other folks noses out !;
though to be sure, who had better right than
his own grandchild? Jim Weston had turned
his back upon his daughter for marrying
John Dudley, a Walsall spurmaker, without
penny. lust as her father was beginning to make
his way in the world, and thought his money
and her pretty face together might procure her
a gentleman for her husband.


He set his face against the young couple, and
never relented till after she was widow, or
quite forgave her until he found little Jim
sobbing beside his dead mothers coffin, in
miserable garret, in grimy nelghborhood.
Then he buried her grandly, and put fine
monument over her---a sort of broken pillar
taking the boy home to his house, and engag-
ing masters to give him good education, OF
which he had felt the want.


mn hnrrnuar rvhn n
not take kindly to the arrangement, and these
were Keturah and Job Bromley, his elder
sisters son and daughter, who had done their
best to wriggle into his good graces and
though he had shown no other marks Of favor
than getting the latter into an attorneys office
Che was articled on eco stamp and putting
Keturah into q small shop in Walsall, these two
looked upon themselves as the rightful heirs to
their rich uncle's property, real and personal,
and. as it was more than suspected, had kept
open the breach between the father and daugh-
ter to make assurance doubly sure.


He had keen eyes, this old Moneybags-eyes
that seemed to search one through. know
used to think so when after time he began to
stop me and ask me how my parents were get
ting on and many time for he was not a
bad sort, you must know-he has slipped
couple of half crowns, or even half sovereign,
into nv hand, and told me those were the pills
he prescribed when he took to the healing art.
Then he would chuckle, and ask his grandson
how he would like to be doctor of the same
sort when he grew man, and prescribe silver
pills and golden ointment and when the boy
laughed at the conceit he would press the small
hand, and go on his way rejoicing.


"If were to fall sick, Mary =" (nobody called
me Mrs. Marbury' near Willenhan, "would
YOU mind coming to nurse me, and see was
not choked off before my time for the sake of
nv moneybags?" he asked me one Of these
times.


Of course said should be glad to do my
best on such an occasion, but / hoped there
would be no need Of me yet awhile.


That was in March, and sure enough the
last week in May James Dudley came running
less. Mr.. Weston had fallen in fit would l
go back with him?


hold it the duty Of nurse to keep herself
in readiness night or day; so no more time was
lost than would carry US over the mile or so OF
dusty road few hawthorns scented the air
as we approached the house and doctors
brougham from Walsall stood at the gate.


We found the whole house in confusion, and
the old man lying on sofa, breathing heavily,
and speechless the doctor feeling his pulse.


Before DR.. Hill went away Mr.. Weston had
recovered so far as to justify removal to
his own bed and undressing, though he still re-
manned in critical state.


This bed was heavy and peculiar piece of
furniture, evidently built to fit into recess in
the wall of the room opposite to the windows:
The door opened on to a square landing, and
was one Of five, two rooms being on each side,
the fifth door opening to sort Of dressing
room, which had second door opening to the
chamber.


The next day he was better and it was
quite touching to see how he stroked the head
of his attentive grandson, and called him a
"good boy" and bade him take care to become
good man also.


That night brought into the house his two
other relatives, lugubrious in their emotional
manifestations.


Having once got foothold in their uncle's
house, they never left it. Keturah, the most
obsequious and attentive of nieces took the
household reins in her hands at once, and
had it been polite would, 1 think, have got nd
of me.


Job, though long out of his articles, was still
clerk, and tied to the solicitors Office but he
obtained frequent leave of absence, and gave
his dear good uncle the full benefit Of it, not
much to the sick mans solace.


Gradually / perceived they endeavored to
warp the invalid's mind against the grandson,
and not finding that avail, kept the boy out of
the room, saying grandfather wished it telling
the old man the youth was playing, or riding,
or reading-anything but caring for loving
relative near Qeatn.


AT last became sensible that the old man
was sinking fast, and daily grew more sub
missive to his nephew and niece, who were
urging upon him the necessity of making his
viii. His speech was imperfect, but at last he
seemed to yield, and from my room, where
they thought me asleep, overheard them sus-
gests form of WILL and saw him nod assent.
This puzzled me, for the terms were all In
favor of the orphan grandchild.


During that very day was startled on enter
ing the room to find the feeble old man out of
the bed, and making superhuman efforts to
pull it from the recess thought his brain
was touched, for his keen eyes looked into
mine, and / heard him say evil, will" l
got him back into bed, and tried to soothe him.
Keturah came up, and he was still moaning ::
''Will, will.


"Dear uncle, Job will have it ready this
evening" said she, with affected tenderness
but he looked from her to me- and still said
"Wil."


1t was plain James Weston would not be old
Moneybags much longer, and Dr. Hill bade us
prepare for the final change


Job Bromley had prepared. That evening