To this end, I
sent over about two years ago, a man of prudence and intelligence,
versed in legal matters, with instructions to obtain all possible
particulars in regard to my brother, his family and estate. He
brought back word that my brother was dead; that he had left no
children, and that his widow--if, indeed, she were ever his legal
wife, which seemed to be doubted--was old, in poor health, and
verging towards mental imbecility, if not insanity. That there was a
large and valuable estate, to which I, as sister of Captain Allen,
was undoubtedly the heir.
"I kept these things, for the time being, to myself, and pondered
over them in some perplexity as to the best course to take. But from
these thoughts, my mind was soon turned by the illness of my oldest
daughter. After a lingering sickness of many weeks, she died. It
seemed almost impossible to arouse myself from the stunning effects
of this blow. It crushed me down more than any previous sorrow, for
it fell upon a heart weakened by pain. It was many months before the
discipline of this affliction awakened me to thoughts of a higher
life.
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