Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1851-10-17
From the London Magazine.
Reading the will.

This morning received note from nv affi-
anced bride, Constance Graham requesting 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
Though Con stance is the pretties; and most ami
| able girl of my acquaintance. [ 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 moth
ing in her behavior, and bequeathed his wealth
TO hospital, prison, or lunetic asylum | felt
quite easy on the present occasion, for Mrs
Bates, Mr. Graham's house-keeper, had given
me information that only an hour b fore her
masters death, he had told her he had handsome
! " provided Tor Constance. felt, however, that
it was my policy to appear ignorant of that cir
cumstance, Constance being very romantic, and
ConstanCe's mother very suspicious.
AT the appointed time walked into the draw
ing room in Harley street the very few rela-
tlves of the old gentleman were assembled
| There was Constance, looking as Hpbe might
have looked if ever Hebe had worn Grape and
bombaZlne; Constance mother looked very stiff
cross, and uneasy; an elderly female cousin
and STRIPPING nephew of the deceased | fear
ed none of them. knew that Mr.. Graham dis
liked his fine lady sister-in-Iaw, despised the SER
Witty of his elderly cousin, and dreaded the frol-
les Of his stripping nephew. | seated myself by
| Constance, and in soft tone began to protest
my affection and disnterestedness.
"Knowing the caprice of your uncle, my be-
! loved, 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
"Stin fixed in my heart be never forgot
That the wealth of the cottage is love"
Il fancy, Mr.. Chiffon, said Constance's moth
err, looking excessively sneering and shrewdish,
"that it is pretty wei! known that my daughter
! is the sole heiress of her uncle's wealth."
"Indeed, madam p | replied, with a start OF
surprise, 81 was not aware that any surmise
was hazarded concerning the contents of Dr.
| Grahams will.
| Il have heard surmse bazarded," sharply in
terrupted the elderly cousin, "that Mr. Graham
was not in his senses when he made it,"
The mind must be both base and weak, retort-
! ed Constance's mother, (which could give cred
ence to such rumor." And fortl with SPAR
| ring dialogue took place between the two ladies',
during which whispered to Constance a page
of More's poetry done into prose-
Temple now entered the room, the solicitor,
all intimate friend of the late Mr.. Graham; he
at one time TO lift his eyes to Constance he o.
pened the will, and we all became muey atten-
| tive. Oh, what a disappointment awaited us
| Three thousand pounds were bequeathed to Con-
stance, (thiS was the old fellow idea of ID hand
some provision y five hundred pounds to the ell
Derby cousin ditto to the STRIPPING nephew, small
| legaces to the servants, and the remainder of his
wealth to found cold water establishment for
the reception of those who were not rich enough
to pay ii gratuity for being haf-drowned. TEN
pie read the names of the attesting witnesses,
and then refreshed himself with sherry and bis
cults. AS he was friend of the family, his
presence was no restraint on conversation
THAT will ought to be disputed" said Con
stances mother, looking very red, II do not be-
Iieve Mr.. Graham was in his senses when he
| made it,"
81 thought" said the elderly cousin, with a
sneer, 'tllat the mind must be both base and weak
which could give credence TO such surmse "
Dear mamma" said Constance, ''do not be
discomposed; am very well contented-I shall
not be quite a portionless bride" Constance
here held out her delicate white hand to mel
affected not to SEE it.
"My dear Miss Graham said "do not be-
lieve me so cruel and selfish as to wish to plunge
you into poverty"
II thought you said your income was suffi-
cient for every comfort" remarked the STRIPPING
nephew.
did not condescend to answer him, but con-
tinued mo, Constance, though it breaks my
| heart 10 do so, give you back your freedom,
saying in the pathetic words of Haynes Bayley,
May your lot in life be happy, undisturbed by
thoughts OF me- :" was Just making 10 the door
leaving Constance looking more like NoJe than
lIcbe, when Temple said, II think the party had
better remain till have read the codc"
| reseatcd myself, and Temple forthwith read
that the testator being convinced that he had re
ceived no benefit from the cold water system
revoked and rescnded his legacy to it; bequeath-
| inc the same to his beloved niece Constance
| Graham.
constance! dear Constance - exclaimed
in the softest of tones, But Constance looked
neither like Hebe nor NObe, but as stern and So.
we're as Madra. then attacked Temple. as
it legal" said, ''only to read part of the will p
Il read every word OF the will" he replied
land having greatly fatigued myself by 50 do
inc, trust that it perfectly legal to refresh
myself with glass of sherry before | read the
codcil.'
was going to utter some further remarks,
when Constances mother said, good morning,
Mr.. Chiffon - in tone of voice which left me
no alternative bat to echo her leavc-taking. and
descended the stairs, pursued by a smothcred
laugh from the party in the drawing room, re-
turned home in very low spirits, and entered my
adventure, rather misadventurc, in my diary,
deductng from ii this very valuable piece of ad-
! vice to gentlemen in search of fortune: New
er believe that will is concluded till You have
inquired whether there is any codicil 10 it,
! CoURTsHIP BY ADVERTISEMENTS time
ago a shoemaker in Paris, being in want OF a
wife advertised for one, and at the time and place
appointed was met by a female. Both were in
earnest. The shoemaker however, unluckily