United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
"But how selfish I am!" said Frank, "How little you could afford to
leave, and come here! I thought I was going to be a help to you, and, the
best I can do, I am only a trouble and a hindrance!"
"I could not stop an instant to think of trouble or expense when my
darling was in danger!" exclaimed the grateful mother. "I feel that God
will take care of us; if we are his children, he will provide for all our
wants. Will he not, Mr. Egglestone?"
"When I have read to you this paper," replied the minister, "then you can
be the judge. I was requested to read it to Frank as soon as he was able
to hear it--after his friend's death."
"Is it something for me? Poor old Mr. Sinjin!" exclaimed Frank. "He died
last night, mother. But he was so happy, and so willing to go, I can't
mourn for him. What is the paper?"
"A few nights ago he requested me to come to his side and write as he
should dictate." And the clergyman, seating himself, read:--
"'The Last Will and Testament of Servetus St. John,
commonly called Old Sinjin.
"I, Servetus St. John, Drummer, being of sound mind, but of body fast
failing unto death, having received its mortal hurt in battle for my
country, do give and bequeath of my possessions as follows:--
"'_Item._ My Soul I return to the Maker who gave it, and my Flesh to
the dust whence it came.
"'_Item._ To my Country and the Cause of Freedom, as I have given my
last poor services, so I likewise give cheerfully my Life.
"'_Item._ To Mehitabel Craig, my only surviving sister after the
flesh, I give what alone she can claim of me, and what, as a dying
sinner, I have no right to withhold, my full pardon for all
offences.
"'_Item._ To my present friend and comforter, Mr. Egglestone, as a
memento of my deep obligations to him, I give my watch.
"'_Item._ To my fellow-sufferer, Abram Atwater, or to his widow, in
case of his decease, I bequeath the sum of one hundred dollars.
"'_Item._ To my fellow-sufferer and dearly beloved pupil, Frank
Manly, I give, in token of affection, a miniature which will be
found after my death.
"'_Item._ To the same Frank Manly I also give and bequeath the
residue of all my worldly possessions, to wit:--'"
Then followed an enumeration of certain stocks and deposits, amounting to
the sum of three thousand dollars.
The will was duly witnessed, and Mr. Egglestone was the appointed
executor.
Frank was silent; he was crying, with his hands over his face.
"So you see, my young friend," said Mr. Egglestone, "you have, for your
own comfort, and for the benefit of your good parents, a snug little
fortune, which you will come into possession of in due time. As for the
miniature, I may as well hand it to you now. I found it after the old
man's death. He always wore it on his heart."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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