Essays on Life 



duty to inform you that your dear aunt ex- 

 pired this morning comparatively easy as 

 Hannah informs me and in so doing restored 

 her soul to the custody of him whom she con- 

 sidered to be alone worthy of its care. 



"The doctor had visited her about five 

 minutes previously and had applied a blister. 



" You and your sister will I am sure excuse 

 further details at present and believe me with 

 kindest remembrances to remain 



" Yours truly, &c." 



After a few days a lawyer's letter informs 

 the nieces that their aunt had left them the 

 bulk of her not very considerable property, 

 but had charged them with an annuity of 1 

 a week to be paid to Harry and Mrs. Newton 

 so long as the dog lived. 



The only other letters by Mrs. Newton are 

 written on paper of a different and more 

 modern size; they leave an impression of 

 having been written a good many years later. 

 I take them as they come. The first is very 

 short : 



" DEAR Miss , i write to say i cannot 



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