Save for the astronomer nephew, he had seen none of them for more than
thirty years; but his heart went out in tenderness towards them. He
spoke of his brothers and sisters and their promising children. Weeping,
he told of his beloved mother, who died when he was a boy of seven years
and left him heart-broken.
He talked about making legal provision for pet cat and dog, which did
not forsake him in his weakness. Mrs. Sherwood, remarking upon such
extravagance, asked:
"You have considerable means, Mr. Palmer?" And he, grown less secretive
under her patient nursing, replied:
"Why, yes, I have considerable money."
The days went by, and he got no better. But his mind was clear; and he
resolved before it was too late to reward his benefactors. So a justice
of the peace was summoned, and a deed of the old man's claim on Fillmore
Hill was drawn up, making the property over to the Woolsey brothers.
Without hesitation he described his boundaries in legal fashion; and he
signed the deed with his mark, before witnesses. Furthermore, he told
the boys where they would be likely to find rich gravel; and they
afterward had cause to praise the old man's judgment.
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