Page 16 - Publishing Inspiration Christmas Card 2023

The Prairie Diamond
(Halloween Help part 3)
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Mrs. Levi said that when William had asked her to marry him, her uncle
refused to give his permission because he wanted her to remain as a servant in
their home. She was only seventeen, and the state law said anyone under eighteen
had to have permission from the legal guardian, so William set out to see what he
could do about it.
William didn’t return for a few days, and her uncle smirked that he had
scared him off. But William did return, and he announced he was ready to marry
her.
“I told you I would not give my permission,” the uncle angrily said.
“Millie told me you didn’t really want her, and it appears that is the case,”
William replied. “I hired a lawyer, and he discovered that you never legally
adopted her. So, you are not officially her legal guardian and don’t have a say in
the matter.”
Mrs. Levi said her uncle stood there speechless for a moment, then left in a
hurry. She found out later that he had rushed to town and filled out the paperwork
for the adoption. He even forged a signature for her on it. But then the clerk
informed him that since she was older than fourteen, she would have to stand
before a judge to declare her desire for the adoption.
He still wasn’t about to give up his free help, so a few days later, the case
was scheduled in court. Mrs. Levi said her uncle threatened her, saying she better
agree to the adoption. But when the time came, she told the judge she did not
want the adoption.
“Then why did you sign the paper?” he asked.
“I didn’t,” she replied. “I can’t even write in cursive because I haven’t
been allowed to go to school since I came to my aunt and uncle’s house. I learned
to read previously, but I never learned to write like that.”
She then explained about her parents’ deaths and how her aunt and uncle
treated her like a servant.
The judge turned to the uncle. “You didn’t let her go to school? You do
know that’s against the law, don’t you?”
The uncle stuttered that they home-schooled her.

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