American library books Β» Fiction Β» Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (top reads .TXT) πŸ“•

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furiously, and looked angry and excited.

At length she said: β€œI wish to say that that is a very unjust will, Mr. Spencer.”

β€œI am not responsible for it, Mrs. Pinkerton,” answered the lawyer, quietly.

β€œI don't know what the rest of you think,” said the angry lady, with a general glance around the office, β€œbut I think the will ought to be broken.”

β€œOn what grounds?” asked Mr. Spencer.

β€œHe had no right to put off his own flesh and blood with a beggarly pittance, and leave all his money to the town.”

β€œPardon me; whatever you may think of Mr. Carter's will, there is no doubt that he had a perfect legal right to dispose of it as he did.”

β€œThen the laws ought to be altered,” said Mrs. Pinkerton, angrily. β€œI don't believe he was sane when he made the will.”

β€œIf you can prove that,” said the lawyer, β€œyou can set aside the will; but not otherwise.”

β€œMy brother was in his right mind,” here interposed Miss Nancy. β€œHe always meant to give the town money for a school.”

β€œNo doubt you think he was sane,” sneered Mrs. Pinkerton, turning upon the old lady. β€œYou have fared better than any of us.”

β€œMiss Nancy was most nearly related to the deceased,” said the lawyer, β€œand she needed help most.”

β€œIt's all very well to talk,” said the lady, tossing her head, β€œbut me and mine have been badly used. I have hard work enough to support the family, and little help I get from him,” she added, pointing to her unhappy husband.

β€œI'm workin' all the time,” remonstrated Josiah. β€œYou are unkind, Maria.”

β€œI could hire a boy to do all your work for three dollars a week,” she retorted. β€œThat's all you help me. I've worried along for years, expectin' Mr. Carter would do something handsome for us; and now he's put us off with four hundred dollars.”

β€œI get only one hundred,” said the farmer.

β€œAnd I, too. It's a beastly shame,” remarked Cornelius.

β€œReally,” said the lawyer, β€œit appears to me unseemly to speak so bitterly so soon after the funeral.”

β€œI dare say you like it well enough,” said Mrs. Pinkerton, sharply. β€œYou've got all our money to build a schoolhouse.”

β€œIt will not benefit me any more than the townspeople generally,” said the lawyer. β€œFor my part, I should have been glad if my late friend had left a larger sum to those connected with him by blood.”

β€œDon't you think we could break the will?” asked Mrs. Pinkerton, persuasively. β€œCouldn't you help us?”

β€œYou can attempt it, but I assure you in advance you haven't the ghost of a chance. You would only lose your money, for the town would strenuously oppose you.”

The stout lady's face fell. She felt that the last hope was gone.

β€œAll I can say is, that it's a scandalous thing,” she concluded, bitterly.

β€œI should like to know what's in that trunk he left you,” said Cornelius Dixon, turning to Herbert. β€œMaybe it's money or bonds. If it is, don't forget our agreement.”

This drew attention to Herbert.

β€œTo be sure,” said Mrs. Pinkerton, whose curiosity was aroused, β€œMr. Dixon may be right. Suppose we all go over to the house and open it.”

Herbert looked irresolutely toward the lawyer.

β€œThere is no objection, I suppose,” said Mr. Spencer.

β€œI know what's in the trunk,” said Miss Nancy.

Straightway all eyes were turned upon her.

β€œWhat is it?”

β€œIt's clothes. My brother used to keep his clothes in that trunk.”

Cornelius Dixon burst into a rude laugh.

β€œI say, Herbert, I congratulate you,” he said, with a chuckle. β€œThe old fellow's left you his wardrobe. You'll look like a peacock when you put 'em on. If you ever come to New York to see me, leave 'em at home. I wouldn't like to walk up Broadway with such a gawk as you'd look.”

β€œYoung man,” said Miss Nancy, her voice tremulous, β€œit don't look well in you to ridicule my poor departed brother. He didn't forget you.”

β€œHe might as well,” muttered Cornelius.

β€œI hope you won't laugh at my brother's gift,” said the old lady, turning to Herbert.

β€œNo, ma'am,” said Herbert, respectfully. β€œI am glad to get it. I can't afford to buy new clothes often, and they can be made over for me.”

β€œYou wouldn't catch me wearing such old-fashioned duds,” said Cornelius, scornfully.

β€œNo one asked you to, young man,” said the old lady, disturbed at the manner in which her brother was spoken of. β€œThe boy's worth a dozen of you.”

β€œThank you,” said Cornelius, bowing with mock respect. β€œI should like to ask,” he continued, turning to the lawyer, β€œwhen I can get my legacy. It isn't much, but I might as well take it.”

β€œAs the amount is small, I will send you a check next week,” said Mr. Spencer, β€œif you will leave me your address.”

β€œAnd can I have my money, too?” demanded Mrs. Pinkerton. β€œIt's a miserable pittance, but I owe it to my poor children to take it.”

β€œI will send your husband a check also, next week, madam.”

β€œYou needn't send it to him. You may send it to me,” said the lady.

β€œPart of it is mine,” expostulated the husband, in meek deprecation.

β€œI can give you your part,” said his wife. β€œMr. Spencer, you may make the check payable to me.”

β€œBut, Mariaβ€”-”

β€œBe silent, Josiah! Don't make a fool of yourself,” said his wife, in an imperious tone.

The poor man was fain to be silent, but the lawyer was indignant, and said: β€œMr. Pinkerton, I will certainly not pay your legacy, nor your children's, to anyone but yourself. I will send Mrs. Pinkerton a check for her own shareβ€”one hundred dollarsβ€”since she desires it.”

β€œI insist upon your sending me the children's money also,” said the lady angrily. β€œHe ain't fit to take charge of it.”

β€œYou may insist as much as you like, Mrs. Pinkerton,” said the lawyer, coolly, β€œbut it will be useless. As the head of the family, I shall send the money designed for the children to your husband.”

β€œDo you call

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