Mary Erskine

tigued under the combined effects of watching, anxiety, and exertion. She wen

am upon the objects around it. Every few minutes, however, the lightning would flash into the windows and glare a moment upon the walls, and then leave the room in deeper darkness than ever. The little night lamp, wh

d thus put it into a somewhat safer position. Then she lighted a large lamp. Then she closed all the shutters of the room, in order to shut out the lightning. Then she went to bed again, and t

itting work in her hand, looking very thoughtful and sad. Presently she

for some time, came up to her mother, and seeing

t is the mat

in a melancholy tone, "I was

not you give her a little money, if she

cents, which she kept in a little

d Mrs. Bell. "Her husband made his will, bef

ntinued Mrs. Bell, talking half to herself and h

ood will indeed. I am sure Mary Erskine ought

I suppose," s

They are not half big enough. They are only

it, but took up her knitting again, and went on musing as before. Mar

red to them, when they should grow up, and be ready to receive it and use it. The farm, when there was a farm, was to be kept until the children should grow up, only their mother was to have one third of the benefit of it,-that is, one third of the rent of it, if they could let it-until the children became of age. The amount of the o

it, but some person was to be appointed to be their guardian. This guardian was to have the care of

e, then it would come wholly under her control, at once. She would be under no obligation to keep any separate account of the children's share, but might expend it all herself, or if she were so inclin

case should be reported at a certain public office, instituted to attend to this business. There is such an office in every county in the New England states. It is called the Probate office. The officer, who has this busine

ry cases, so that the law, in itself, is a very good law. There are, however, some cases, which are exceptions, and Albert thought that Mary Erskine's case was one. It was owing, in a great measure, to her prudence and economy, to her efficient industry, and to her contented and happy disposition, that he had been able to acquire any property, instead of spending all that he earned, like Mr. Gordon, as fast as he earned it. Then, besides, he knew that Mary Erskine would act as conscientiously and faith

d of a signature, and to show that he considers the act, which he is performing, as a solemn and binding transaction. Nor will it do to have the will executed in the presence of only one witness; for if that were allowed, designing persons would sometimes persuade a sick man, who was rich, to sign a will which they themselves had written, telling him, perhaps, that it was only a receipt, or some other unimportant paper, and thus inducing him to convey his property in a way that he did not intend. The truth is, that there is necessity for a much greater degree of precautionary form, in the execution of a will, than in almost any ot

ught that he was doing all that was necessary to make it valid. When, however, Mrs. Bell, afterwards, in going home, met Mr. Keep

d to expend, from the children's share of property, as much as is necessary for their maintenance while they are children; and it is only the surplus, if there is any, which it is required of her to pay over to them, when they come of age. It would be obviously unjust, in cases where children themselves have property left them by legacy, or falling to them by inheritance, to compel their father or mother to toil ten or twenty years to feed and clothe them, in order that they might have their property, whole and untouched, when they come of age. All that the law requires is tha

o either of those points. It seemed to her that Mary Erskine could not move into the new house, and attempt to carry on the farm, and, on the other hand, it appeared equally out of the question for her to remain where she was, in her

and rectifying the many derangements which sickness and death always occasion. Mary Erskine received Mrs. Bell at first with a cheerful smile, and seemed, to all appearance, as contented and happy as usual. The sight of Mrs. Bell, however, recalled forcibly to her mind her irremediable lo

de in silence. She pitied her with all her heart

on her feet and went dancing along toward the baby, who was playing upon the floor, singing as she danced. She gave the baby the flowers, and then, seeing that her mother was in trouble,

t is the mat

s, and clasped Bella with it fondly,

mother," said Mrs. Bell, "like t

o she turned away, and went sin

his house and take the children and come to my house, at

g her composure. Presently she raised her head, smoothed down her hair, which was v

Bell, "you will only spend your t

ne, "I am not going t

nk at all what you sha

stomed to knowing that it has happened, before I can determine what to do about it. It seems as if I did not

shall move to the new h

that I can't do that. I don't

haps I ought to tell you, though it is rather bad news for you. Mr. Keep s

y not?" asked

quires that there should be three witnesses, so a

am sure. The Judge of Probate knows you, and he will b

at it does not depend upon the Judge

er drawer and took out the will and looked at i

ll," said she, handing

l read a

my wife, Mary Erskine. Albert

"It is very plain, and one witness is enough. Be

he did not think. I am sure I shall be very sorry if it is not a good will, for if I d

hildren would lose the property, in some way or other, entirely,-though she did no

the property, if the wil

you will have a considerabl

" asked Ma

, I believe," r

There is a great deal of property. Albert told me that the farm and the new house are worth five hundr

ll have half. Either half or a

of the rest?" as

s to the children

ren!" repeate

rdian, and take care of it for them, and carry in y

satisfaction. "That is just the same thing. If it is to go to the children, and I am to take

er down upon the table, as i

fter pausing a few minutes. "I can't keep

ll be but little to do about the accounts, and

rned to write," s

ing, but in her hea

ould possibly learn no

perhaps, if you had

btfully. Then, in a moment she added again, in a despond

said Mrs. Bell, after a short paus

hout perplexing myself at all about it. And I am not going to mourn and make myself miserabl

s she rose, hastily brushed the tears away with her handkerchief, and went toward the door. She then took the water pail, which stood upon a bench near the door, and

g that I could do for you, to help you or to relieve you in some wa

that you could do for me, that would be a very

t?" asked

will think it is too

Mrs. Bell,

sitated a momen

ome and stay here w

l night, too?"

ary Erskine,

Mrs. Bell, "and nobody to help you. I should have thought th

ould like to have Mary Bell he

shall certainly come. I will