2d—I desire that $1,000.00 of my estate be distributed among the poor of Skarrow.
3rd.—I give, devise and bequeath to the young man, known as Shawn Collins, but whom I hereby acknowledge to be my son, my river-bottom farm, consisting of 387 acres. I bequeath to him my hill farm, consisting of 187 acres. I bequeath to him my town property, consisting of two dwellings and one store-room, my office, bank stock and all other properties found, outside of the first two clauses of this will. This property to belong to the said Shawn, to be used or disposed of according to his pleasure. I desire a modest stone above my grave, and ask that I be buried in the cemetery on the hill, overlooking the river.
In witness whereof I have hereby set my hand, this 18th day of Sept. 186-
Radford J. Hissong.
| Witness: | Dave Budlong, |
| John Burney, | |
| Victor LeCroix. |
CHAPTER XIX
After the funeral, Shawn appeared as one upon whom had fallen a great and strange sorrow. He felt as though some dark curtain had suddenly been lowered between him and all prospects of future happiness. There now seemed a lingering consciousness which separated him from his old individuality; something that awakened a flame of anguish within his heart and sent a tingling rush of blood to his cheek, but Mrs. Alden came, with her gracious and charitable heart and sought to soothe the troubled spirit, and her words fell as a blessed benediction into his soul.
"I'm going to Old Meadows, Mrs. Alden, and there bid farewell to every hope and joy that I have in this world."