The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-02-02

INV at CDO, anu tllC UlllOI-
Iunate Baron now saw himself and his prop
erty at the mercy of a man who had the rep
utaIion of being little better than a miser.
Things were in this state, when one day
Cheiwood received letter from an eminenl
citizen OF New Orleans belonging to a legal
profession: informing him of the death of one
Roger Chetwood, of that city who had devil
sed to him his whole estate, estimated al
more than a million of dollars, and reques-
ting his immedinte presence 10 settle affairs
and take possession. The will, of which
copy was enclosed, ran as follows:
q Roger Chetwood, (no genrleman,) Of
New Orleans, being OF sound mind and un-
sound body. having none that | cared for,
and none that cared for me, that | know OF.
had determined TO die without making q
will. in the reasonable expectation that my
heirs AT law, (whoever they may be,) would
consume good portion ofmy estate in law
suits. Blu! as much as my cousin six times
removed Eustace Cbetwood, Of Hill>dale.
in the state oil New Y ork, from the mere i'm
pulse oil humanity and not knowing me from
Adam, did confer on me The only benefit |
ever recollect 10 have received from any OF
my living fellow creatures, by saving me
from the nav Of old father Mississippi, do
hereby. in acknowledgement of favor
which though Of little worth, was well meant
bequeaih my whole estate real and personal
10 him and his heirs forever, or until he OF
some one Of his posterity, shall spend it in
riotuous living or waste it in idle specula
lions, as think quite probable; and | do
hereby requestih the said Eustace CEetwood
in case he should ever see or hear of any of
my relations worthy of the gift, he will be-
STOW on them such portion Of this my be-
quest as he may deem proper, or none at all,
Iust as he pleases.'
Chetwood lost no time in proceeding 10
The crescent city. Here his first inquiry was
after his old friend the Baron, who he lear
ned was on visit with his daughter at
plantation some twenty or thirty miles up
The river, whence he was expected 10 return
every day.
He next undertook an investigation OF The
affairs OF his deceased beneGactor, and was
lalrly aslonished at The magnitude Of the be,
quest. There seemed no end to the stocks
bonds mortgages and lands, this ndefaf-
gable economist had acquired; and Chef
wood was struck with a painful sensation on
hndIng among the mass, mortgage on the
property of his old friend The Baron, for an
immense amount, The interest of which he
had accumulated for The last two years. He
waived with great impotence until informed
of the return OF the Baron, and even placing
The mortgage in his pockeI took his way 10
the old chateau.
On approaching the gate he was struck
with the change which few years had pro-
old fashioned and totally
Invested ofall the spruce mic ETY. of our mod
ern mansion it had hitherto presented
most respectable appearance. exhibiting no
vcstlge oil neglect and ruin, Now. however.
every thing seemed 10 be changed; the an
clert gate hung by single ru sly hinge; the
iencc was drcayed, and in many places bro
ken; The shrubs and flowers, bordering the
avenue leading 10 tie chateau presented The
az pearance futier desolaion, and the p!as-
terins oil the old mansion had fallen of in ma
ny places. giving the whole an air Of mel an
choly neglect,or incdpacity 10 repair the del
apdatlon. The whole combined sufficiently
told the story o. the occupant ola mansion
whiFh in effect belonged to another, and
where neither party FELT an interest in IFS
preservation.
As he entered the gate an awkward en-
harrassment came over him, which increased
every step he approached, until he almost
lett like culprit about TO appear before one
whom he had previously wronged, and he
scarcely had courage 10 raise the old fashion
ed knocker which guarded the door under
the semblance of hrazen lion couchant.-
+ ormcrly II used TO shine like gold, but now
It was covered with a green rust that obscur- |
ed all lis ancient splendors. Chetwood |
knocked at the door, moi lisc a ordly creditor |
10 demand debt, but as an humble |
lebtor to beseech its remission. The old |
gray headed. negro, who used 10 welcome the |
friend of his master with protentous grin Of |
pleasure now received him with a most lusu-
IRONS conntenance and conducted him TO the |
usual sitting room. where he found the Bar
III and the vonnc lady.
The old man, with a pale face and |
plainly alfred, met his friend with what
seemed forced welcome. and introduced
Fleetwood 10 the young lady as his daughter.
She received him W ith an evident constraint,
md the demeanor Of the Baron was evident
y Invested of that gay, frank hllariiy with
which he had always treated his young friend
few formal inquiries and most embar-
assins silence ensued. At length Chetwood
.aihered himself together and addressed the
5aron as follows, at tie same time drawing
he mortgage from: his pocket, with great ter
,idation:
Monsieur lie Baron, wish TO have a few
words with you in privaie'-looking AT Julia.
My daughter replied the old man. is ac-
lualnted with all my affaiis. have no Sc
:rets from her. We know your business and
ire prepared for the result
Chetwood became still more embarrassed
or pair OF the most beautiful eyes beaming
rom The loveiest face he had ever seen. we're
Ixed upon him with an intense expression
' Inch he could neither comprehend nor With.
tand- AT length recovering himself. he be-
IAN IN hurried accents:
Monsieur LIE Baron, in looking over the
apers of my deceased relative, I-I-'I
1ere those same eyes which had so discom-
ted him before. beamed with such intense ;
agerness upon him, that he scarcely knew
hat he was saying, or what he mennt to ,
ay. Monsieur LIE Baron, as [ before OBJ
erved. found this paper
Yes. Monsieur interrupted the Baron, Il
Understand it all; it is in your power 10 re- ,
uce myself and daughter to beggary at anv
ioment you please
But my dear friend the power is nothing
1Ithout the WILL This was said with tone +
nd N anuer that made Julia start. and she
aarNL