Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-03
HISC l. l. /. A n Y.
READING THE WILL.

This morning received a note from my
a(ianced bride, Constance Graham, request
inc me to attend, at two o'clock that day,
at the house of her late uncle IN Harley
street, tor the purpose Of hearing his VIII
read. had the greatest pleasure in COM
Dlyinr with this invitation. Through Con-
stance is the prettIeSt and most amlable girl
of nv acquaintance, l had determined new
er to marry her while her uncle lived; he
had frequently proclaimedhe his heiress, but
as frequently took offence at something or
at nothing in her behavior and beQueathed
his wealth to hospital, aprison, or luna
tic asylum. | felt quite easy on the present
OCCASION for Mrs. Bates, Mr.. Graham's
housekeeper had given me information
that. only an hour before her masters death,
he had told her he bad handsomely provid-
ed for Constance. felt, however, that it
was my policy to appear ignorant of that
circumstance, Constance being very roman
tic, and Constance's mother very suSplcl-
Gus.
At the appointed time I walked into the
drawingroom in Harley street; the very
few relatives of the old gentleman were as
sembled. There was Constance, looking
as Hebe might have looked if ever Hebe
had worn Grape and bombasiu Constance S
mother looked very stiff, cross, and unea-
sy; an elderly female cousin, and strip
limo nephew of the deceased. feared none
Of them. knew that Mr.. Graham dis
liked his fine lady sister-in-law, despised
the scrvility fhis elderly cousin, and dread
ed the froIics of his stripping nephew. |
seated myself by Constance, and in soft
tone began to protest my affection and dis
intereStednesS.
Knowing the caprice of your uncle, my
beloved | said II have every reason to
conclude that shall hear you are disinher-
tied; this, however, will be of little mo-
ment to me; have enough for comfort
though not for luxury, and as the song beau
tifully says
".Still fixed in my hear, be it never forgot
That the wealth Of the cottage is love- -
II fancy. Mr.. Chiffon" said Constance S
mother, looking excessively sneerinr and
shrewish, ''that it is pretty well known that
my daughter is the sole helress Of her un-
cle's wealth"
"Indeed, madam" | replied, with a
start of surprise, Il was not aware that any
surmise was hazarded concerning the con-
tents of Mr.. Graham's will.
"I have heard a surmiSe Eazarded." "
sharply interrupted the elderly cousin, ''that
Mr.. Graham was not in his senses when he
made it"
"The mind must be both base and weak, u
retorted Constance's mother, (which could
give credence to such rumor." And forth
with a sparring dialogue took place between
the two ladies' during which | whispered tc
Constance page Of MoOre's poetry done
into prose.
Temple now entered the ROOM the solic-
itor and intimate friend of the late Mr.
Graham; he was handsome young man
and had presumed at one time to lift his eyes
to Constance; he opened the will, and We
, all became mutely attentive. Oh, what {
disapDointmcnt awaited us! Three thous
and pounds were bequeathed to Constance
0bis was the old fellows idea Of hand
some provisionD five hundred pounds tt
the elderly cousin, ditto to the STRIPPING
nephew, small legacies to the servants, ant
the remainder of his wealth to found cold
water establishment for the reception
those who were not rich enough to pay ;
gratuity for being half drowned. Temps
read the names OF the attesting witnesses
and then refreshed himself with sherry anc
biscuits. As he was friend of the family
his presence was no restraint on conver
sation.
"That will ought to be disputed" sa;t
Constance's mother, looking very red :.
do not believe Mr.. Graham was in his sense
! when he made IT,"