The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-09-27

Reading the Will.


This morning ! received note from my
ailiAnced bride, Constance Graham. rc1ncst-
ing mo to atrCHd, al two o'clock TO-DAY, AZ the
house OF her late uncle in Harley street for
the purpose OF hearing the viii read I had
the greatest pleasure in complying with this
Invitation. Though Constance is the prctti-
est and most aIpiAble girl Of my acquaintance
! had doiorIninad nevar to marT, l,ap while
her uncle lived he had Frequently proclaim
od her his heircss, but Ne frequently took Of
fence at something or nothing in her bchav-
Tor, and bcqucathed hi. wealth Co a hospital
prison, or lunatc asylum. I felt quite easy
on the present OCCASION for Mrs. hates, Mr.
Grnhnm,a hnnseLes+.Asr l---i :-f-ufT TIg ffTFor-
nation that, only an hour before her masters
death, he Ind 'told her he had handsomely
provided for Constance. felt, however, that
it was my policy TO appear ignorant orthat cir
cumsiaucc, Constance bcing very romantic
and Cousmnec's mother very suspicious
Al the appointed time | walked into tho
drawing room in Harley street the very few
relatives Of the old gentleman were assem-
blcd. There was Constance, looking as He
be might have Hooked It ever IIcbc hal worn
Grape and bnmbasin; Constancc's mother look .
ing very s'ih, cross and uneasy; an elderly
tenale cousin, and nephew OF the deceased.
feared none oc them, KNEW that Mr. Gra-
ham disliked his fine lady sistrr-in-law, de-
spised the scrvility OF his elderly cousin, and
dreaded the frolics Of his STRIPPING nephew
! seated myself by Constance aud in n soit tone
began 10 protest my affection and disinterest.
ness, --,.--l.-
knowing the caprice Of your uncle, my
beloved said, Il have reason To conclude
that you are dislnhrrite,l; that, however, will
be flittle moment 10 me have enough for
comfort, though not for luxury, and as the
song beautifully says
"Still nxcd in my heart, be It never forgot,
That the wealth Of tho cottage j. lovo!
! Il fancy, Mr. Chiffon said Constance.
mother, lookings excessively snecring and
shrcwish, that il is pretty we'll known that
my daughter is the sole heircss Of her unclo's
wealth r.
Indeed, madam replied, with n start Of
surprise, Il was not aware that any surmisc
was hazardcd concerning the contents of MI
! Graham's will '.'.T ..''
| i have heari surnise hazarclcSi, sharply
interrupted the elderly cousin, that Mr.
Graham was not in his senses when he made
IT, 10 -
The mind must bc both base and weak
retotted Cohstancc's mother, (which would
! give eredencc to such y runior,' And forth.
with a sparring dialogue took place between
The two ladies, during which whispered to
Constance page Of Moore's poetry done into
prose.
Temple now entered the room, the solicit.
or and intimate friend Of the late Mr. Graham
he WITS n handsome Young man, and had pre-
surncd at dnGtimD TO lift his eyes 10 Constarce
he opened the viii, aud We All became mute
" attentive. 70 oh, what disappointment a
waited nal Thrcc thousand pounds were be.
qaeathed TO Constance, (this was the, old f,,l'
lows idea OF a handsome provision!) FIVE hun
fdrcd pounds 10 tho elderly cousin, ditto to
the Stripping nephew, small legacics to tl,c
servants, and the rcnhairder'of his wealth to
found = cold water cstablishment,for the re-
fccption !ofthose who were not rich enough 10
tpay gi7tIifty for being half drowned. TEN
pie read the names ofthe attesting Witnesses
Iand sat down to refresh himself with sherr,
and biecuitS AZ I've was a friend OF tile FAM
iiy his presence was no restraint on conyer-
sation.
5atThat Will Ought to be disputed. y said Con-
.siantoA s'atthrr;f fU0einq very rctls tl6n't he
lieve Mr. Graham was IN his senses when nc
nhasie ID. .t,.rst--s-- vr1rflri tfItn, 't.' -f 'f
II thougat.' said the elderly cot%in with a
! sneer, that thu mind rn4Ips be both base nnd
weak which could give credeuce 10 such sur
Dear mamma saiti 'eonttancc, Ito mt tu
discomposed; 7 mn very well coutcntcd-f
shall not be quite portionlees bride, Con