The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-07-24

BY MRS. ABBY.

4
affianced bride, Constance Graham, request
ing me TO attend at TWO o'clock that day at
the house of her late uncle in Harley street,
for the purpose Of hearing his will read. !
had the greatest pleasure in complying with
this invitation. | had really begun TO fancy
that old MIR. Graham was going to remain
perpetually on the earth, like Mrs. Nortons
"Undying One" he was always on the point
Of death, and always cured, and better than
ever in the course Of few days; last month
the cold water system seemed completely to
renovate him, but he suddenly relapsed, de-
parted from the world, and left fifty thou
sand pounds and a will behind him. Though
Constance is the prettiest and most anable
girl of my acquaintance. 1 had determined
never to marry her while her uncle lived;
he had frequently proclaimed her his heress,
but as frequently took offence al something
or at nothing in her behavior, and be
queathed his wealth to hospital, prison, or
lumatic asylum. felt quite easy on the
present occasion, for Mrs. Bates, MIR. Ora
hams house keeper, had given me infonna-
ton 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 to appear ignorant OF
that circumstance, Constance being very
romantic, and Constance's mother very s,s.
lplclOus.
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 might have looked if Hebe had ever
worn Grape and bombazine; Constance
mother, looking stiff, cross, and uneasy; an
elderly female cousin, and STRIPPING ne,
phew of The deceased | feared none Of
them. knew that Mr.. Graham disliked
his fine lady sister-in-law, despised the ser
Witty of his elderly cousin, and dreaded the
frolics of his STRIPPING nephew. | seated
myself by Constance, and in soft tone be.
gan to protest my affection and disinterested
ness. Knowing the caprice of your uncle,
my beloved, | said, IL have every reason to
conclude that shall hear YOU are disnheri
ted; this, however, will be OF little moment
10 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 love-"
81 fancy, MIR. Chiffon, said Constance
mother, looking excessively sneering and
shrewish, 'that it IS pretty well known tina,
my daughter is the sole heiress Of her uncle
wealth.
Indeed madame" | replied. with a start
OF surprise, Il was not aware that any sur.
mise was hazarded concerning the contents
Iof Mr.. Graham's will
81 have heard surmise hazarded," sharp
ly interposed the elderly cousin, THAT Mr.
Graham was not in his senses when he
made II.
The mind must be both base and weak,
ret0rted Constance mother, (Which could
give credence to such Iumor. "And forth.
with sparring dialogue took place between
the two ladies, during which | whispered to
Constance page Of Moore's poetry done
into pIose.
Temple now entered the room, the solici.
tor and intimate friend of the late Mr.. Ora
ham; he was handsome young man, and
had presumed al one time TO lift his ewes TO
Constance; he opened the will, and We all
became mutely attentive Oh, what a dis
appointment awaited us Three thousand
pounds Were bequeathed to Constance, (his
was the old fellows idea Of handsome
provision Five hundred pounds TO the
elderly cousin, ditto TO the STRIPPING nephew,
small legacies TO the servants, and the re-
mainder Of his wealth to found cold water
establishment for the reception of those who
Were not rlch enough to pay gratuity for
being half drowned. Temple read the
names of the attesting witnesses, and then
refreshed himself with sherry and biscuits.
As he was friend of the family, his pres
ence 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 sen.
ses when he made il"
81 thought, said the elderly cousin with
a sneer, ''tha: the mind must be both base
and weak which could give credence to
such surmise."
"Dear mamma said Constance. do
not be discomposed; am very well con-
tented shall not be quite portionless
bride. >" Constance here held out her deli
cate white hand to me. affected not 10 see it.
"My dear Miss Graham said, do not
believe me so cruel and selfish as to wish to
plunge you into poverty"
81 thought yousaid that your income was
sufficient for every comfort" remarked the
stripping nephew.
did not condescenG to answer hun. but
continued mo, Constance, thong it
breaks my heart to do 50, give you back
your freedom, saying, in the pathetic words
OF Bayly, May your lot in life be happy,
undlsturbed by thoughts of me =" was
Just making for the door, leaving Constance
looking more like Niobe than Hebe. when
Temple said, Il think the party had better
remain till | have read the codicil.'
reseated myself i'm amaze, and Temple
forthwith read that the testator, being con.
WINGED that he had received no benefit from
the cold water system, revoked and rescin.
ded his legacy to it, bequeathing the same
to his beloved niece, Constance Graham.
Constance dear Constance exclaim.
ed, in the softest of tones. But Constance
looked neither like Hebe nor Niobe, but
as stern and severe as Medea. | then at.
tackled Temple. sis it legal" said,
"only TO read part of will p
81 read every word of the WILL" he re-
piled, and, having greatly fatigued myself