Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-11-13
VOLUME l3---NUMBER s

visited her. A mutual attachment was the con-
sequence, which soon ripened into an affection
between the two-an exchange Of VOWS, aud
promise Of her hand were won from Eliza. Ben.
son, under the encouragement OF her uncle, still
continued his suit, proposed, and was rejected
He now grew amazingly melancholy, or at least
affected to be so, and would wander in this mood
tothe banks Of Iheriyer, and gaze upon the stream,
probably contemplating an acquaintance with sui
cde-and giving his body TO the fishes for dissec-
tlon. But Benson was not such fool as that
either. Hisdsappoinment became known at the
college, and numerous we're the jibes and taunts
the poor fellow got from those whom he had so
insolently domineered over. This, Of course,
did not tend 10 add much to the amiability Of his
temper, and on one occasion he showed his mag
nanimity and courage by knocking down bright
eyed lad, some five or six years his junior, for
saylng-"that fellow who haC long been in the
habit of taking airs on himself, had found Ares
that couldn't be so easily taken" Tim, who
stood by, saw thisexhibtion of Bensons courage,
and in return, gave him blow under the left ear
which sent him reeling to the floor. AT this the
whole school shouted, and Tim was ever after
hailed by the youngsters, as a protector against
the tyrannies of Benson.
But Tim HIMSELF was not entirely at ease on
the score Of Miss Ayres. The old uncle had
frowned upon him, as he entered the house, and
had given him sundry hints thar Eliza was not for
him; while at the same time he had attempted to
lay his commands upon Eliza respecting her ac-
ceptance Of Benson. This uncle's name was
Pell. He had been made the sole executor of
the will of Eza's father, himself having the prof.
its of the large estate of the deceased gentleman
after supporting and educating the daughter du-
ring her minority, or until she should marry
An item in the will was to this effect-ihat if E
| liza married person of moderate fortune, the
whole estate, amounting to sixty thousand dollars,
was 10 become hers, on her marriage day, or when
, she became of age-but if her husband was him.
self heir to thirty thousand dollars, half of the
! estate became the properly of the uncle-which
sufficiently explains the anxiety on the part of Mr..
3 Pell, that Elizashoud marry Benson, as he would
f thereby become possessed of snug property.
Y Tim visited Eliza, one evening, and found her
IN tears. On his inquiring the cause, she inform
E ed him that Benson had that day repeated his
' suit, and had been again reected-that on learn
ing it, her uncle had come in and upbraided her,
and threatened that if she did not accept Benson,
, to dspossess her Of her properly, alleging that
I he possessed the means Of doing so, as no body
1
self-that the subscribing witness did not know
the contents-that probate had never been taken
of it-and that it was in his power toi insert there,
! in clause requiring that if she married, it mus
be with the consent Of him, as her guardian anC
the executor of the willard then if she marr
ed Tim, it would be without his consent, and she
!. would thereby become disinherited forever.
- "Can't you get possession of the will!'' nqui'
= red Tim of Eliza.
al should think itimpossible, as my uncle keeps
: it well secured in an iron safe."
= "Pll manage it, my dear" replied Tim, Sane
:, will procure the will from the old tyrant, or I'm
y no conurer. You have told me, think, tha
y your uncle was very supersttiOus!"
> SHE is," said Eliza. she imagnes often thai
! he hears the voices of Mr.. Jones, and others o
:, his former tenants, who are now dead-and nj
wonder, for his expressions were the ruin Of hes
poor men,"
# r. sin what part Of the house does your uncl,
~ lodge!" inquired Tim.
~ son the first floor of the wing at the extremity
u of the building" she replied.
or Tim bade her good evening" and then went L
- - consult Mr.. Fletcher, his attorney. After som
~ time spent in the consultation, Tim departed, ant
Il was vending his way in brown study toward
=, his boarding house, when he was accosted by Pc
~ ter, the black servant of Pell, with "Fne evenn
20 Massa Jocelyn want TO peak to YOU"
u. Tim stopped and turned round to the negro
pt He was stout, humorous looking fellow, some
5 what aged, and approached Tim very respectful
in y. He had been brought up by Elizas iathe
r. and was tavorlte domestic of that gentleman i
h. his lifetime. Peter ommenced-"Look here
n Massa Jocelyn, you not know what been going o
ed at Massa Pel's since etyo out of the gate tn
us evenin. Dat teIler, Benson, he come agin to sc
I'd young missus, and she scamper off to her room
and shet herself up, and den Benson went away
al Pretty soon Massa Pell, wicked ole chap, Mas
a. sa Jocelyn,) come and call youngmissus out, an
ng tell her she must marry dat Benson in a mont
he or he will turn her out door, Poor young missl
"a cry and take on so dat couldn't 'tand it, and
,rt | fell blubbern too-'caze, you see, she my
nd massa's darter and carry her in my arm whe
ly she little pckaninny. Dat old massa Pell berl
* cruel, massa Jocelyn, and he say she have I
ii. property if she not marry Benson. Now, mas
lu- Jocelyn, what to be done? Can't YOU lick
of Benson2 Be sure you can"
er. Peter was here interrupted by Tim, who fin
ng ing from the tone of the negro sconvorsation til
he he did not like his present master over much, al
wn would therefore be of service to him in furthe
IN. ing the plan he was about to propose, asked hi
les where he slept9
at SIN little room inde wing, close by massa Pei
Sc bed room. He make me sleep dare, cause
an feard-and sometime he talk in his sleep and 81
as he see ghost; and den he call me in he room, a
lad make me sit up all night wild CANDLE"
'aI Tim here informed the negro of the circul
led stances relating to the wil-that he was anxio
af to obtain possession of it for the purpose of hs
IN ing proved and recorded, and that then it wor
m be out Of old Pell's power to inure his young m
Tor tress. Tim, have said before, was a ventri
ne, qnist. He explained this to Peter-and they
He getherr formed the project of frightening old P
ing out of the possession of the will II was arrs