Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-07-08
READING THE WILL.
A Page from the Diary OF a Fortune
Hunter.
BY MRS. ABBY.

afiianced bride, Constance Graham, request
ing me 10 attend nj TWO O'Clock that day at
the house 0. her late uncle in Harley street,
Tor 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 10 remain
perpetually on the earth, like Mrs. Norton's
"Undylng One; !" he was only on the point of
death, and always cured, and better than ev
er IN the course OF few days; last month the
cold water system seemed completely 10 rem
ova,e him, but he suddenly relapsed, depart
ed from the world, and LETT hhy thousand
pounds and will behind HIM. Though
Constance IS the preitiest and most amabe
girl OF my acquaintance, ! had determined
never 20 marry her while uncle lived he had
frequently proclaimed her his beIreSs, but
as frequently took offence at something or at
nothing IN her behavior, and bequeathed his
wealth to hospital, prison, or iunatic asy-
lum. .eit quite easy on the present ocea-
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 il was my
policy 10 appear ignorantot that circumstance
, Constance beng very romantic, and Con
stances mother very suspicious.
AT the appointed time | walked into the
drawing room in Harley-street; the very few
relatives fthe old gentleman were assembled.
There was Constance, looking as Hebe might
have looked If Hebe had ever worn Grape and
bombazine; Consiance's mother, looking stuff,
cross, and uneasy an elderly female cousin,
and a STRIPPING nephew OF the deceased. 1
feared none OF them. | knew that MIR. Ora
ham dIshked his fine lady sister law, des-
pissed the servihty of his elderly cousin, and
dreaded the trolics Of his stripping nephew. L
seated myself by Constance, and IN soft
tone began to protest my affection and disin-
teresedness Knowing the caprice OF your
uncle, my beloved" | said,.'l have every
reason 10 conclude that shall hear you are
disnheri,ea this, however, viii be OF little
moment to me have enough for comfort,
though not for luxury, and, as the song beau
nluiiy says
"Suil fixed in my heart be il never forgot.
That the wealth of the cottage is love. +"
al fancy. MIR. Chiffon" said Constance's
mother, looking excessively sneering and
shrewlsh. s'that II 10 pretty well known that
my daughter is the sole heiress other uncle's
wealth.
.'Indeed, madam" replied, with start
! OF surprise, Il was not aware that any sur
mise was hazarded, concerning the contents
OF Mr.. Graham's will"
Il have heard a surmise hazarded' shar-
| " interposed the elderly cousin, ''that Mr..
Graham was tin his senses when he made
ill.,"
1.-The mind must be both base and weak"
retorted Constance's mother, (which could
! give credence to such rumor." And forth
with sparring dialogue 10 place between the
two ladies', during which whispered 10
Constance page OF Moore's poetry done into
prose.
Temple now entered the room, the solicitor
and intimate friend of the late Mr.. Graham ;
he was handsome young man, AID had pre-
stunned at one time TO lift his eyes to Constance
he opened the will, and we all became mute
ly inatentive. Oh, what Disappointment a
waited us! Three thousand pounds were
bequeaihed 10 Constance, Ohis was the old
fellows idea of handsome provision y
Five hundred pounds to the elderly cousin,
ditto TO the STRIPPING nephew, small legacles
to the servants, aud the remainder OF his
wealth 10 found a cold water establishment for
the reception Of those who were not rich e
nough to pay gratuity for being half drown
cd. Temple read the names oil the attestIng
witnesses, and then refreshed himself with
sherry biscuits. As he was friend OF the
family, his presence was no restraint on con-
versatlon.
THAT will ought to be disputed" said Con
stances 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 a
sheer, "that the mind must be both base and
weak which could give eredence TO such
suImise."
Dear mammal" said Constance, "do not
be discomposed; am very well contened-
| shall not be quite porionless BRIDE" Con-
stance here held out her delicate white hand
to mel affected not 10 see IL.
"My dear Miss Graham," | SAID, "do not
believe me so cruel and selfish as TO wish 10
plunge you into poverty"
II thought you said that your income was
sufficient for every comfort" remarked the
STRIPPING nephew.
| did not condescend TO answer him, but
continued: ''No, Constance, though II breaks
my heart TO do SO, give you back your free
doom, saying, in thepathetic words OF Haynes
Bayly, MAY your lot in life be happy, undis-
turbed by thoughts of mel" | was just
making Cor the door, leaving Constance look
ing more like Nobe than Hebe, when Ten
pie said, al think the party had better remain
ull have read the eodIcil."
reseated myself in amaze, and Temple
forthwith read that the tesiator, beng conyinc-
ed thar he had received no benefit from the
cold water system, revoked and rescinded his
legacy 10 it, bequeathing the same TO his beloy-
ed neice, Constance Graham,
''Constancel Dear Constance ~ ex-
claimed, 10 the soitest OF tones. But Con-
stance looked neither lbe Hebe nor Niobe, but
as Stern and severe as Medea. | then attack
ed Temple sis il legal" | said, "only to
read part of will2"
II read every word Of the will, {" ne replied,
''and, having greatly fatigned myself by so
doing, / trust that II was perfectly legal 10
refresh myself with glass OF sherry before
read the codci"
was going TO utter some further remarks,
when Consiance's mother said, "Good morn
ing, MIR. Chiffon /" in tone OF voice which
left me no alternative but TO echo her leave
iaking, and descended the stairs, pursued by
a smoothing laugh from the party in the draw
ing-room, returned home in very low spirits
and entered my adventure in my diary, de-
lucing from il this valuable piece OF advice
10 gentlemen in search@of fortune: .'Neyer
believe that will is concluded I'LL you have
inquired whether lhefe is any codicil TO it, -
iSLnpes .uagasiaes
JUsr So.--Ladies are like tulips, the more
modest and retiring thew annear the hAtier