Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-11-06
The Mercenarx Lover.


This morning I received a note from my afianced
bride, Constance Graham, requesting me 10 attend at
two o'clock that day at the house oil her late uncle IN
Harley street, for the purpose Of hearing his will read
| had the greatest pleasure in complying with this invi-
tation. Though Constance is the prettiest and most
amiable girl of my acquaintance, / had determined new
er to marry her while her uncle lived; he had lrequestly
proclaimed her his heiress, but as frequently took offence
at something or at nothing in her behavior, and be-
q~ueathed his wealth to a hospital, prison, or lunatic asy-
lum. / fell quite easy on the present occasion, Tor Mrs.
nation that only an hour before her masters death, he
had told her he had handsomely provided for Constance.
I felt, however, that it was my policy to appear ignorant
OF that circumstance, Constance being very romantic,
and Constance'S mother very suspicious.
At the appointed time | walked into the drawing room
in Harley street the very few relatives OF the old gen.
tleman were assembled. There was Constance, looking
as Hebe might have looked if ever Hebe had worn Grape
and bombazine; Constance's mother looking very stiff,
cross, and uneasy an elderly female cousin, and a strip
ling nephew Of the deceased. / feared none OF them.
/ knew that Mr.. Graham disliked his fine lady sister-in-
law, despised the servility Of his elderly cousin, and
dreaded the frolics Of hs STRIPPING nephew. ! seated
myself hy Constance, and in a soft tone began to protest
my affection and disinterestedness. knowing the ca
price Of your uncle, my beloved, !" / said, 81 have every
reason to conclude, that | shall hear you are disinherl-
ted; this, however, will be Of little moment to me; |
have enough for comfort, though not for luxury, and as
the song beautifully says
18TH fixed in my heart be it never forgot
That the wealth Of the cottage is love-"
81 lancy, Mr.. Chiffon" said Constance's mother.
ftbAlNE G&cCoSNtN SuGCiiuE IA SndCNAShy net A. -
pretty well known, that my daughter is the sole heiress
oil her uncles wealth"
~"Indeed, madam7" / replied, with a start Of surprise.
=" l was not aware that any surmise was hazarded CON-
corning the contents Of Mr.. Grahamis will"
4 have heard a surmise ~hazarded, " sharply inter-
ruPted The elderly cousin, "that Mr.. Graham was not in
his senses when he made it."
The mind must be both base and weak, " retorted
Constance's mother, (which could give credence to such
a rumor." And forthwith a sparring dialogue took place
between the two ladies, during which | whispered to
{ Touc+anca a pono of Moorn3c unatrv dnnn into nraSa
Temple now entered the room, the solicitor and init
mate friend Of the late Mr.. Graham, he was a handsome
young man, and had presumed at one time to lift his
eyes to Constance; he opened the will, and we all be-
came mutely attentive. On, what a disappointment
awaited u.s. Three thousand pounds were bequeathed
10 Constance, (this was The old fellows idea OF a hand
some provisionD Five hundred pounds TO the elderly
cousin, ditto to the STRIPPING nephew, small iegaeies to
the servants, aud the remainder ol his wealth TO lound q
cold water establishment for the reception Of those who
were not rich enough to pay a gratuity for being half
drowned. Temple read the names Of the attesting wit
ness, and then refreshed himself with sherry and buis-
cults. As he was a friend of the family, his presence
was no restraint on conversations.
That viii ought to be disputed" said COnStances
mother, looking very red, Il do not believe MIR. Graham
was in his senses when he made it."
Il thought" said the elderly cousin with a sneer,
that the mind must be both base and weak which could
give credence TO such a surmise."
Dear mamma" said Constance, edo not be discom-
posed; l I'm very well contented-I shall not be quite a
portionlcss BRIDE" Constance here held out her delicate
white hand to mel affected not to see it.
"Mv dear Miss Graham. y | said, ''do not believe me
SO cruel aud selfish as TO wish to plunge you INTO power
ty."
81 thought you said your income was sufficient for
every comfort" remarked the STRIPPING nephew.
| did not condescend to answer him, but continued
I" No, Constance, though it breaks my heart to DO so, |
give you back your freedom, saying, in the pathetic
words Of Haynes Bayley, May your lot in life be hap
py, undistnrbed by the thoughts Of meD Twas Just ma
king to the door, leaving Constance looking more like
Niobe than Hebe, when Temple said, Il think the party
had better remain I'LL | have read the codicil.'"
| reseated myself in amaze, and Temple forthwith
read that the testator, being convinced that he had re-
ceived no benefit from the cold water system, revoked
and rescinded his legacy to it, bequeathing the same to
his beloved niece, Constance Graham.
Constance! dear Constance" | exclaimed, In the
solteSt Of tones. But Constance looked neither like
Hebe nor Niobe, but as stern and severe as Medea. |
then attacked Temple. " Is it legal" l said, 50 only to
read part of u willi'
al re d every word Of the Will, )" he replied, " and
having greatly faticued myself by so doing l trust that
it was perfectly legal to refresh myself with a glass oil
sherry before | read the cOdicl."
l was going to utter some further remarks, when Con
stances mother said, Good morning, Mr.. ChiIton" in
a tone of voice which left me no alternative but TO echo
her devastating, and | descended the stairs, pursued by
a smothered laugh from the party in the drawing-room,
returned homo in very low spirits, and entered my adven-
turc, or, rather, misadventure in my diary, deducing
from it this very valuable piece Of advice to gentlemen
in search of fortune: % Never believe that a will is con-
cluded till You have inquired whether there is any codi.
ell TO it.n-Loadon Magazine.