The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-07-16
READING THE WILL.
BY MRS. ABBY.

Ahio uOIHIuX IcCoiFGu u HOlc from III
attianced bride, Constance Graham, reques
ing me TO attend at two o'clock that day q
the house of her late uncle in Harley stree
ior the purpose ofhearing his will read.
had the greatest pleasure in complying wit
this invitation. l had really begun to fame
that old Mr.. Graham was going to renal
perpetually on the earth, like Mrs. Norton
"Undying One;" be was always on the poin
Of death, and always cured, and better thai
ever in course ofa few days; last month tn
cold water system seemed completely to rem
ovate him, but he suddenly relapsed, depart
ed from the world, and left fifty thousanr
pounds and will behind him. Though Con
stance is the prettest and most amiabe cir
Of my acquaintance, / had determined neve
to marry her while her uncle lived; he hat
frequently proclaimed her his heiress, but as
frequently take offence at something or al
nothing in her behavior, and bequeathed his
wealth to hospital, prison, or lunatic asy.
lum. l felt quite easy on the present occa.
sion, for Mrs. Bates, Mr.. Graham's house.
keeper, had given me information that, only
an hour before her masters death, he had
told her he had handsomely provided for
Constance. / felt however, that it was my
policy 10 appear ignorant ofthat circumstance,
Constance being very romantic, and Con-
stances mother very suspicious.
At the appointed time | walked into the
drawing-room in Harley-street; the very few
relatives of the old gentleman were assem-
bled. There was Constance, looking as
Hebe nigh! have looked if Hebe had ever
worn Grape and bombazine; Colstance's
mother, looking stiff, cross, and uneasy; an
elderly female cousin, and stripliug nephew
of the deceased. | feared none of them.
knew that Mr. Graham disliked his fine lady
sister-in-law, despised the servlity of his el-
derly cousin, and dreaded the frolics of his
STRIPPING nephew. l seated myself by Con
stance, and in soft tone began 10 protest
my affection and dsinterestednss. "Know-
ing the caprice of your uncle, my beloved"
| said, 81 have every reason to conclude that
| shall hear you are disinherted; this, how
ever, will be of little moment to me; have
enough for comfort, though not for luxury,
and, as the song beautifully says
Still fixed in my heart be il never forgot
That the wealth of the cottage is Iovs.''
"I fancy, Mr.. Chiffon" said Constance's
mother, looking excessively sneering and
"that it is pretty we'll known that my
daughter is the sole heiress of her uncle's
wealth."
"lndeed, madame!" replied, with start
of surprise, 81 was not aware that any sur
mise was hazarded concerning the contents
of Mr.. Graham's will"
81 have heard surmse hazarded," sharp
ly interposed the elderly cousin, "that Mr.
Graham was not in his senses when he made
it,"
"The mind must be both base and weak"
tetorted Constance's mother, "which could
give credence to such rumor." And forth
with sparring dialogue took place between
the two ladies', during which | whispered to
Constance page of Moore's poetry done in
10 prose.
Temple now entered the room, the solic-
itor and intimate friend of the late Mr.. Ora
ham; he was handsome young man, and
had presumed at one time to lift his eyes to
Constance; he opened the will, and we all
became mutey attentive. Oh, what disap-
pointment awaited US! Three thousand
pounds were bequeathsd to Constance, {this
was the old fellows idea of handsome pro-
visionD Five hundred pounds TO elderly
cousin, ditto to the STRIPPING nephew, small
legacies TO the servants, and the remainder of
his wealth to found cold water establish
ment for the reception of those who were
not rich enough to pay gratuty for being
half drowned. Temple read the names Of
The attesting witnesses, and then refreshed
himself with sherry and biscuits. As he was
a friend of the family, his presence was no
restraint on conversation.
"That will ought to be disputed" said
Constance's mother, looking very red; 81 do
not believe Mr.. Graham was in his senses
when he made it,"
81 thought" said the elderly cousin with
sneer, "that the mind must be both base and
weak which could give credence TO such a
"Dear mammal" said Constance, do not
be discomposed; am we'll conlented--l
shall not be quite portionless bride Con
stance here held out her delicate white hand
10 mel affected not TO see it.
"My dear Miss Graham" said, "do not
believe me SO cruel and selfish as 10 wish to
plunge you into poverty"
81 thought you SAID that your income was
sufficient for every comfort" remarked the
stripling nephew.
did not condescend to answer him, but
continued: "No, Constance, thongh it breaks
my heart to do so, give your back your Free
1om, saying, in the pathetic words of Haynes
Bayly, MAY your lot in life be happy, andis-
urbed by thoughts of me9" | was just ma
King for the door, Constance looking more
ike Nobe than Hebe, when Temple said,"l