George Canterbury's Will (Volume 1); A Novel

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870. Excerpt: ... might yet have pleasant work for him in unselfishly helping his fellow-wayfarers. And that, after all, must be the true way to attain to the End, mused Thomas Kage. Only through tribulation can we forget self, and enter on its track. I am glad I came in here. CHAPTER XII. The Shadow of the Future. The rejoicings at the christening of an heir to the goodly estate of the Rock were beginning to die away in neighbouring ears. The bonfires were burnt out, the ashes of the fireworks scattered to the far winds, the tenants and labourers had digested the dinner and the drink, and things had quietly settled down again. Such rejoicings! both indoors and out: and all because a poor little infant had come into this world of trouble. Legally speaking, he was not born the heir, for the estate was not entailed, and Mr. Canterbury, its owner, could bequeath it to whom he would. Little danger, though, that he would leave it away from this child of his old age; no urchin, playing at soldiers in a sword and feather bought at the fair, was ever half so vainglorious as was Mr. Canterbury over this new baby. The child was born on the i8th of August, which had also been, rather singular to say, his mother's wedding-day twelve months before. Only one short twelvemonth! and yet strange changes had taken place in it. The Miss Canterburys had quitted the Rock, and Mrs. Kage spent so much of her time there, that it might almost be said she had made it her home. Lydia Dunn's prophecy--that her sisters would be driven from their home by its new mistress--had turned out to be a true one; and that lady of strong common sense would have been full of self-gratulation accordingly, but for the indignant pity that was burning her to her fingers' ends. Young Mrs. Canterbury, indulged to f...