The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-03-02

the nephew returned home. Mr.. Ben
son had finished his supper, and was sit
ting alone imbibing, in defiance of all
warning. few more of the might caps'
which were so materially assisting him
to his long last sleep. The young mans
steps were unsteady, and his angry eyes
sparklcd with ill-repressed rage. Unac-
customed drink had washed away the
mask which he had hitherto worn in his
uncle's presence, and his true character
was for the first time revealed to his as
tonished and indignant relative. A
fierce alteration relative to the propos
ed will Immediately commenced, and
went on with increasing violence till the
insolence Of the nephew had risen to
such pitch as to embolden him to haz-
ard base, exaspcrating imputation up
or the characters of both Lucy and her
mother.
Lying. upgrateful scoundrel !" thun-
dered Michael Benson. as he sprung with
passionate energy to his feet, and me-
naced the slanderer with clnched fist
"but for your own mothers sake, p
He stopped abruptly and clasped his fore.
head with both hands, whilst a mighty
change fell like thick pail over his in
famed couutcnance. A moment, and the
words: THE surgeon-quick |" gurgl.
ed from his throat his head fell on his
chest and blIndly staggering a few PAGES
in the direction of the door, he fell with
a deep groan upon the floor.
Charles Passmore looked eagerly in
the face Of the helpless man. Assistance,
he clearly saw, to be eflectual, must be
very speedy; and he stepped mechani-
cally towards the bell. His fingers
ciutched the rope, but were instantly
withdrawn; and he once more paced
softly towards his PROSTATE relative, and
gazcd with earnest, fearful scrutiny on the
convulsed features Of the dying man
As he did so the eyes slowly unclosed
and addressed him with SO reproachful
and ghastly an expression, that he turn
ed hastily away, and again moved to-
wards the bell. Three or four precious
minutes passed, and then the bell was
rung with furious violence.
Fetch surgeon quick quick 7 ex-
claimed Charles Passmore to the servant
who answered the bell My uncle has fal
len down in ft.'
Mr.. Rymer was quickly on the spot,
and instantly opened vein. Too late !
The sluggish blood yielded few drops
only, and it was plain life was over. A
few minutes earlier might have made all
the difference remarked the surgeon
but your uncle Mr. Passmore, is Fast
help now
An hour afterwards, Charles Passmore
was seated in his bedroom. alone with
conscience His face was white as stone,
and his whole frame trembled with ter
ror. There was brandy on the table be
side him, of which he freely partook
but it required repeated draughts to still
the gnawing of the awakened worm with
in. Slowly, however, the white face ac-
quired color the troubled, shrinking
eyes grew bold and steady; the pallid
limbs ceased to shake and culver and
articulate utterance was not impossible.
Visitation of God ? he muttered. TO be
sure-what clse2 Rymer is a conceited
ass to suppose he could have afforded eff
fectual aid, even had he been present at
the moment of attack. Fortunately
timed, too, since it was to be. And now
l think of it. there is an important mat,
ter, the saving or throwing away of a
thousand pounds, which must neither be
forgotten or delayed. Well remember
ed.'
Thus speaking Charles Passmore seiz-
ed the candle, listened for moment on
the landing to make sure the house was
quiet, and then crept stealthily down
stairs He returned in about ten min
utes with a folded parchment in his hand
which, after locking the door, he eagerly
addressed himself to read. Yes, this
is it My last Will and Testament the
date June, 1865. All my property,real
and personal, to my dear nephew Chas
Passmore, with the exception of thou
sand pounds to the two hospitals Eh
what's this ? And two thousand pounds
to Lucy Hsselgrove or her children, in
equal proportions Upon my word, thi:
is pretty we'll. Three thousand pounds
sliced off instead of one, as understood
but, ms l am the undoubted heir at-law
| shall take the liberty of doing, what
heard the testator tell Mr.. Aspern ht
should do-burn this atrocious will
A momentary doubt of the perfect pru
dence of the act flashed across his excl
ted brain, aud he hesitated to com
nit the important instrument to the
flames But his uncle had no relativ,
so near as himself by many degrees
there could not be the slightest danger
therefore and the gain--three thousand
pounds-was certain and enormous
The will was then consumed by small
slips at a time, in order that no unusua
light might attract the attention of pas
sers-by
Early on the morning Of tie funeral
) Mr.. Aspern, the attorney, called at thu
Red Gross Street.
'Golding' he said, 'of Basinghall street
your uncles lawyer in former days. ha
been to my Office making inquiries abou
. the will made in l765. l told him il
: could not be found. aud that there coult
be no reasonable doubt that it had beel
= destroyed by the testator, in fulflmen
D of his declared intention to do so Ill
a appeared hardly satisfied, and l said h
;, had better call here after the funeral
( He is acting, l presume, for some rela
4 tive or other of your deceased uncle's
> "A very distant relati.e, then, he o
a she must be- replied Passmore. Mr.
! Golding is quite welcome, however, 4
D institute as rigorous search as h
!. nleases. My uncle himself told me iha