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Then she led the way downstairs There were enough members of the

immediate fahbours filled the dining roo a hymn in front of the house, the minister stood on the front

steps and read a chapter, and told where Mr Bates had been born,

married, the size of his faood father, an honest neighbour, and very sensibly left his

future with his God Then the choir sang again and all started to

their conveyances As the breaking up began outside, Mrs Bates

arose and stepped to the foot of the casket She steadied herself

by it and said: "Some time back, I promised Pa that if he went

before I did, at this time in his funeral ceremony I would set his

black tin box on the foot of his coffin and unlock before all of

you, and in the order in which they lay, beginning with Adam, Jr,

hand each of you boys the deed Pa had made you for the land you

live on You all know WHAT happened None of you know just HOW

It wouldn't bring the deeds BACK if you did They're gone But I

want you boys to follow your father to his grave with nothing in