American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-08-29
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uSdII fxed Ia my heart, be it never forgot.
Thilt tho wealth of the cottape IL Iorl.b ,

NA Thut tho wealth OF the cottage Ii loyepW 5
81 fancy, Mr.. Chilton,f said Constance's
mother, looking excessively sneering and shrew-
ish, that it is pretty well known that my
daughteris the sole heiress her uncle wealth"
| 'Indeed madam" replied, with start of
surprise. 81 was not aware that any surmise
was, hazarded concerning the contents of Mr..
Graham's will" F4f f9
" have heard surmise hazarded," sharply
interrupted the elderly cousin, that Mr.. Gra-
ham was not III his senses when he made it."
''The mind must be both base and weak
| retorted Constance's mother, (which could
| give credence to such rumor." And forth
with sparring dialogue took place between
| the two ladies, during which | whispered to
Constance a page of Moores poetry done into
prose. a# a# t@4
| Temple now entered the room, the solicitor
and ultimate friend Of the late Mr.. Graham
he was a handsome yonng man, and had pre-
| sumed at one time to lift his eyes to Constance;
he opened the will, and we all became mute1y
attentive. On, what disappointment awaited
US! Three thousand pounds were bequeathed
to Constance, (this was the old fellows idea of
handsome provision. Five hundred pounds
TO the elderly cousin, ditto to the STRIPPING ne
phew, small legacies to the servants, and the
remainder of his wealth to found a cold.water
establishment for the reception of those who
were not rich enough to pay gratuty for be-
ing half drowned. Temple read the name of
the attesting witness, and then refreshed him
self with sherry and biscuits. AS he was q
friend OF the family, his presence was no re-
strapt on conversation. 41 aaiaE
g That will ought to be disputed" I" said Con-
stances mother, looking very red !; g / do not
believe Mr.. Graham was in his senses when he
| nude it," #'s @alA+
j" 1 thought" said the elderly cousin, with a
sneer, that the mind must be both base and
weak which could give credence to such sur
mise" r.
" Dear mamma ~ said Constance, !. do not
be discomposed | am very well contented;
shall not be portionless BRIDE" Constance
here held out her delicate white hand to me;
affected not to sec it. Eg alc-.
"My dear Miss Graham" ! said, " do not
believe me so cruel and selfish as to wish to
plunge you into poverty"
+" l thought you said that your income was
sufficient for every comfort p remarked the
STRIPPING nephew. .aH
did not condescend to answer him, but con-
| tinued ''No, Constance though it breaks my
heart to do so, give you back your freedom,
saying, in the pathetic words of Haynes Bay
ley, May your lot in life be happy, undis-
turbed by thoughts of mel" was just making
to the door, leaving Constance looking more
like Niobe than Hebe, when Temple said, i
think the party had better remain till / have
read the codicil." a.@
Ireseated myself in amaze, and Temple forth
with read that the testator, being convinced
that he had received no benefit from the cold
water system, revoked and rescinded his legacy
to it, bequeathng the same to his beloS ed niece,
Constance Graham .a a..
:" Constance dear Constance ~ / exclaimed,
in the softest of tones. But Constance looked
neither like Hebe nor Niobe but as stern and
severe as Medea. l then attacked Temple. Z. Is
it legal - said, "only to read part of wills"
81 read every word of the will," he replied,
and, having greatly fatigued myself by so
doing, / trust that it was perfectly legal to re-
fresh myself with glass of sherry before Tread
the codicil."
| was going to utter some further remarks,
when Constances mother said, 50 Good morning,
| Mr. Chiffon !" in tone of voice which left me
no alternative but to echo her leave-taking and
| descended the stairs, pursued by smothered
laugh from the party in the drawing ROOM re-
turned home in very low spirits, and entered
my adventure or rather misadventure, in my
diary, deducing from it this very valuable. piece
| Of advice to gentlemen in search of fortune:
Never believe that n will is concluded till you
have inquired whether there is any codicil to
litn ## #-#" #.'