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In the meantime a messenger had been sent to her house by the
mayor； to say that she must come to him immediately； as he had
something to tell her。 It was too late； a surgeon had been sent for to
open a vein in her arm； but the poor woman was dead。
〃She has drunk herself to death；〃 said the cruel mayor。 In the
letter； containing the news of his brother's death； it was stated that
he had left in his will a legacy of six hundred dollars to the
glovemaker's widow； who had been his mother's maid； to be paid with
discretion； in large or small sums to the widow or her child。
〃There was something between my brother and her； I remember；〃 said
the mayor； 〃it is a good thing that she is out of the way； for now the
boy will have the whole。 I will place him with honest people to
bring him up； that he may become a respectable working man。〃 And the
blessing of God rested upon these words。 The mayor sent for the boy to
come to him； and promised to take care of him； but most cruelly
added that it was a good thing that his mother was dead； for 〃she
was good for nothing。〃 They carried her to the churchyard； the
churchyard in which the poor were buried。 Martha strewed sand on the
grave and planted a rose…tree upon it； and the boy stood by her side。
〃Oh； my poor mother！〃 he cried； while the tears rolled down his
cheeks。 〃Is it true what they say； that she was good for nothing？〃
〃No； indeed； it is not true；〃 replied the old servant； raising her
eyes to heaven； 〃she was worth a great deal； I knew it years ago；
and since the last night of her life I am more certain of it than
ever。 I say she was a good and worthy woman； and God； who is in
heaven； knows I am speaking the truth； though the world may say；
even now she was good for nothing。〃
THE END
。