The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-07-14
VOL. xIv.--No. 2s.
From Hsrper,s magazine.
THE LIFE ESTATE.
FROM TIE REGISTER OF A NEW YORK LAW.
YER


When first knew The Huntingdons'
tIeir family consisted Of Mrs.. Hunting
don, a lady nearly or quite seventy yeara
Of age, her daughter, Mis-. Debray, VIII"
was ma,ronly woman Of forty>fve, and
two grandchildren, boy, who was the
son Of her eldest son and then about sew
enteen, and girl, the daughter Of Mrs.
Debray, who was about sixteen. They
resided few miles from The city Of New
York, in fine old place near the water,
surrounded with every evidence oftasto,
luxury, and wealth. Nn'hing that the
eye could delight in. was wanting, Moth
ing that ,he Imagination could suggest or
ihat experience in habits of ease and idle
ness could dictate. There were gardens,
and graperies, and conservatives, fruits
and flowers, s,atues and paintings A
6ne park slopsd toward the water, and
stretched away toward The road. Stately
trees shaded its green turf, milking the
place appear sombre and gloomy from a
distance, bu, cool, sill, and quiet when
Ycu were on the lawD.
Ny frs, introduction was in au ordin>
ary professional way. Mr.. -, an EN-.
Inent lawyer Of former generation, who
had outlasied his contemporaries, had
been the adviser Of Mrs. Huntingdon,
and, on his deceass, she had beer forced
10 select some one Of more modern
times, and accordingly sent me note,
requesting me to dive out and see her
al certain time, if convenient. Accord.
incly, as the day appointed proved pleas
ant, rode out to Huntingdon Place, as
il was sometimes called. Sending zip my
card, | was requested 10 wait fe~ min
p,es in the library, and was shown into
an old> fashioned room, darkened almoa
10 gloom, around which were arranged
oak cases Of books bound in rare old
style, while here and ihers statue pect-
ed ehostIiko ON Of a recoss OF a cotneT.
II was room for ehnsls i had au al.
mosphsre of s1perna,uralism in it. II was
just snch place as you would SIT in,
above all others, TO read Faust or the
ghost sceno in Macbeth. You could not
possibly read an ordinary novel or com
monplaco story in such a place.
had not advanced far in the room
Whenl became aware of the presence of
smother person, seated in chair with
low cushioned back, over ~ hich saw his
head and shoulders. But he was absorb
ed in rending,and had opportunity, ,aS my
eyes became accustomed 10 the gloom, TO
observe his appearance. II was that Of a
man oftiry-fve or forty years, with a
finely developed head. His profle, (which
was all Of his face that could see, was
classical and elegant-ralher too much
Of the forehead, perhaps; bu. the corner
Of his lip, that expressive feature Of the
face, was bad. There was look Of the
devil, which did not like al all.
g My approach aroused him, and, as he
started up,l WAS surprised to find him bul
youth OF seventeen, with that strangely
old look Of face. His form was greatly
disproporlioned to his head, and the ef-
feet of disease was manifest in the ner~
vous quickness of bis movements Ii
was difficult to tell precisely N what tone
10 address him, whether as boy or man;
but hc spared me the trouble of deciding
by opening the conversation.
~, 81 directed the servant TO show you in
TO the library before you should see my
grandmother. She dsikes to be Iroub>
led with details Of business, and wished
me 10 state to you the particulars of her
presen, wishes. You will find her a re-
markable woman"
40 ~ presumed as much from what have
heard of her. Mrs. Huntingdon has the
appearance Of a person Of character."
avery decided, Sir. She has some
peculiar notions, and needs an ad.iser in
very few of her affairs. She wishes, al
present, to give to my cousin, who is
nero child, a sufficient fortune to place
her beyond the danger of want, and she
does no. wish this 10 be SO givcn as to
place the child in possession Of the prop
'eSly, but 10 leave il in other hands"
'tShe wishes to create trust for the
benefit Of the child"
!, III suppose ,ba, 10 it. | know little
,a5out law"