Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-08-14
READING THE WILL.
! AH Dh"Ak =
HUNTER.

HUNTER.
This evening received note from my
affianced bride, Constance Graham, reques.
ting me to attend at 2 o'clock that day at
the house of her late uncle in Harley
street, for the purpose of hearing his will
read. l had the greatest pleasure in COM
plying with this invitation. had really
begun to fancy that old Mr.. Graham was
going to remain perpetually on the earth;
like Mrs Norton's "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 to completely renovate him,
but he suddenly relapsed, departed from
the world, and left fifty thousand pounds
and will behind him. Though Constance
is the prettest and most amiable girl of my
acquaintance, l had determined never to
marry her while her uncle lived; he had
frequently proclaimed her his heress, but
as frequently took offence at something or
at nothing in her behavior, and bequeathed
his wealth to hospital, prison, or lunatic
asylum. felt quite easy on the present
occasion, for Mrs. Bates, Mr.. Graham's
house. keeper, had given me information
that, only an hour before her masters death,
he told her he had handsomely provided
for Constance. felt, however, that it was
my policy to appear ignorant of that cir
cumstance, Constance being very roman
tic, and Constance's mother very suspi-
cious.
At the appointed time walked into the
drawing.room in Harley street; the very
few relatives of the old gentleman were
assembled. There was Constance, looking
as Hebe might have looked if Hebe had
ever worn Grape and bombazine; Con-
stances mother, looking stiff, cross, and un-
easy; an elderly female cousin. and strip
ling nephew of the deceased. ] feared none
of them. l knew that Mr.. Graham dislked
his fine lady sis,er.n.law, dsspised the SER
vility of his elderly cousin, and dreaded the
frolics Of his stripping nephew. / seated
myself by Constance, and in soft tone
began to protest my affection and disin.
terestedness. "Knowing the caprice OF
your uncle, my beloved" I said, 81 have
every reason to conclude that shall hear
YOU are disinherited; this, however, will be
of little moment to me; have enough fol
comfort, though not for luxury, and, as the
song beautifully says
Still fixed 10 my heart be it never forgot
That the wealth OF the cottage is love-
"Ifancy Mr.. Chiffon" said Constance's
mothef, looking excessively sneering and
shrewish, shat il is pretty well known tha
my daughier is the sole heiress of hel
uncle's weallh."c
"Indeed, MADAME l replied, with a star
of surprise, al was not aware that any
surmise was hazarded concerning the con
tents of Mr.. Graham's will.
81 have heard surmise hazard" sharply
interposed the elderly cousin, shat Mr.
Graham was not in his senses when he made
it,"
1.-THE mind must be both base and weak,
retorted Constance's mother, switch coult
give credence to sucha rumor." And forth
with sparring dialogue took place between
the two ladies, during which whispered 4
Constance page of Moore's poetry don
into prose.
Temple now entered the room, the solicit
or and intimate friend of the late Mr.. Ora
ham; he was handsome young man, an
had presumed at one time to lift his eyes I
Constance; he opened the will, and we a
became mutely attentive! Oh, what dis
appointment awaited us Three thousan
pounds were bequeathed TO Constance
this was the old fellows idea of hand
some provisionD Five hundred pounds t
the elderly cousin, ditto to the striplin
nephew, small legacies to the servants, an
the remainder of his wealth to found
cold water establishment for the receptio
of those who were not rich enough to pa