Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-11-09
their apartments, and Oliver took a lantern and
went to the stable. inspect again the of the

When the four Lambleys waited on their uncle
out of the parlo, they all perceived that the ole
gentleman had for the first time forgotten to TAKE
the red morocco box with him, and they all exchan
ged gances to this effect being used 10 each Others
signs. After they had gone through tho tedious
process seeing him to bed, and carefully folding
mp his numerous garments, they heid consulta
ton III their own room; and, accustomed to acting
in concert aey concluded that as as the house
was quiet, they would all go down stairs tQgetlh,
and bring up the red box. Fortunately fq them,
they knew MIR. Culpepper to be a sound sleeper,
notwithstanding his constant assertions the con-
trary, and that he always went to sleeps soon as
he was in bed.
When they came into the parlor, whre all was
now dark and SILENT they set their cand, the
|be, and taking down the red box, one ofthem said
''At last we have an opportunity of satifying our
selves.''
s'Tis the first tme," said another ssthat the
How strange that he should not have missed it. He
must have had something i'll his head moro than IL
sual to-night.''
"He even forgot to take his lozenses before he
went to-bed,' said the third.
"James,'' said the fourth, 'sdidyou slip the little
key out of his under waistcoat pocket, as signed
to you to do while you were folding it up!''
"1o be sure did, replied James, s'here it is,'
Dangling by the red ribbon that was tied to it. J
"But do you open the box George, for am afraid.''
''Give me the key then,n said George, "lor we
have no time to lose.''
"What lucky chance =, said Richard Lambley
''Now," said William, tive shall learn what we
have been longing to discover Tor the last yeals.n
The key was stunned, and the box opened A fol.
ded parchment lay within it, tied round with red
tape. Each ofthe brothers simultaneously put out
a hand to grasp it.
One at time, - said the elder, taking ii out and
opening it; ssjust as we suspected 1t is the old
fellow'swi, regularly drawn up, signed and wit
|nessed.''
They looked over each others shoulders il, in
tense anxiety, while the eldest of the brothers, in
low voice, ran over the contents of the parchment
There was a unanimous exclamation of surprise
that amounted almost to horror, when, after the u
sual preamble, they came to some explicit words,
by which the testator devoted the whole of his prop-
erty 10 the endowmento of hospital for IDIOTS. They
had proceeded thus far, when they were startled by
the entrance of Oliver, who saw in a moment III
what manner they were all engaged. They hastiI
ly folded up the WILL and replaced it in The box, ii
which they directly turned tho key, looking very
much disconnected.
"lwas coming,'' said Oliver, setting down his
lantern, s'to get that box and take il to you, hat
you might keep it sa fe for your uncle till lnofng.
have been detained at the stable longer than ex-
pected, doing something for lame horse.'
There was whispering among the LambleJs.
Every wel,'' said one Of them to Oliver, 1.-THE
box can stand on the mante-pece till morning and
then when my uncle comes down he can get il for
himself. lie must not be disturbed with it tonight;
and no doubt it will-be safe enough here.''
The trurh was, they all justly impressed
with the persuasion, that if Mr. Culpepper knew
the box to have been all night in their room,
he would believe, as thing of course that theyhad
opened itby some means, and examined it's con-
tents servility and integrity rarely go together.
They whispered again, and each advanced to-
wards Oliver, holding out dollar.
s'What is this for" said Oliver, drawing back.
"We do not wish YOU" said one of the Lamb
leys, "to mention to any one, that you found US
examining this box.o
"Why should mention t?' replied Oliver, lido
you suppose | tell every thing see and hear! But
what is that money for!''
s'For your said tho Lambleys
ssWhat am to do for it!'
| ekeep our secret.'
Oliver started back, coloured to his temples, con-
racted his brow, and clenching his hands, said 81
think could beat you all four l am sure Of il.
could knock every one of you down, and keep you
there, one after another. And will do il too, If
you don't put up that money this instant"
The Lambleys quickly returned the dollars to
their pockets, murmuring an apology; and Oliver
paced the room in great agitation, saying, "Ell 70
west III go the backest of the back woods no
|
The Lambleys hastily replaced the red box on
the mantle-piece, and taking an opportunity when
Oliver, ashe walked up and down, was at the far
end of the room, with his back to them, they all stole
past him and glided up stairs, to talk over the dis
covery of the night.
Having no longer the same motive for submitting
to the iron rule Of their uncle, they eager to
be enancipated from his tyranny, and they spent
several hours in canvassing the manner in which
this was to be effected. They had not candor e.
nough to acknowledge that they had inspected the
will, nor courage to break out into open rebellion,
still, knowing what they did, they feared that
i would be impossible for them to pcrsevere in their
usual assiduities to Mr. Culpepper, for whom they
could find term that soemed sufficiently oppro-
brious.
Habit 10 second nature. The morning found
their uncle's room to assist al ms
toilet. with all tkeirs accustomed submission. The
one that had purloined the key of the red box took
care to contrivc an opportunity ofspping il upper,
ceived into the pocket, as he unfolded and handed
MIR. Culpepper his under waistcoat.
After he was shaved and drest, and ready to go
down stairs, the old gentleman suddenly missed the
red box, and exclaimed, ssWhy, where ismy box!
What has gone with it! Who has taken III"
The nephews had all turned their faces to the
windows, and were steadfastly engaged in observ-
ing the pigeons thatwere walking about the ROOT OF
the porch.
"Where's my red box, say?'' voceferated the
old man. eco and see if left it down stairs last
night. A thing impossible, though. No, stay, IN
not trust one you. III go down myself"
He then actually ran down stairs, and on enter
ing the parlor where the breakfast table was afea-
dy set, and the family all assembled, he espled the
red box standing quietly on the mantle-piece. ,
ssAh!'' he calculated, 'sthere it is. feared
had lost it,, And he felt in his waistcoat pocket
TO ascertain if the key was safe. . ~
To Mrs. Brgham's Inquiry, of SNOW he had rest
ed,'' Mr. Culpepper replied in a melancholy tone,
that he had not slept wink the whole night. On
her asking if any thing had disturbed him, he res
Piled, ssNothing whatever; nothing but the usual
restlessness of i'll health., And he seemed almost
rIar aha aa1ed fa nosshlify of ilAing