Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1855-07-21


can do as n,h for themselves, believe as doc
tors can do for them they're all in the dark
togethcr-tho only difference is that the pa
tienis gropc in English, and the doctors grope
in Latin ~
"You arc too skepiical Sir" said John
Meade.
"Pooh said Mr. Colleit. "Let US change
the subject. want your advice, Peter and
John, on a matter that concerns your interests
I'm going to make my will io-day-and don't
know how to act about your cousin, Emma
Briggs. Emma disgraced US by marrying an
oilman.'
"An oilmanl' exclaimed John.
"a vulgar, shocking oilmanl'' said Mr..
Colott, "a wretch who not only sold oil, but
soap, candles, turpentine, blick-lead, and birch
brooms. II was dreadful blow to the family
Her poor grandmother never got over il, and a
maiden aunt turned Methodist 10 despair. Well
Briggs the GILMAN died last week, il seems
and his widow has written to me, asking for
assistance. Now, have thought OF leaving
her hundred year in my will. What do
you think Of il = TN afraid she don deserve il.
What tight has she to marry against thc ad-
vice of her friends ! What have to do with
her misfortuncst"
"My mind is quite made up" said Peter
Finch, mo notice ought 10 be taken Of her.
She made an obstinate and unworthy match
and let her abide the consequences ~
Snow for your opinion, John, said Mr..
Colleu.
"upon my word, | think must say the
same" said John Meade, bracing himself up
boldly for the part Of the worldly man. "What
right had she TO marry-as you observed with
great justice, Sir Let het abide the conse-
queuces-as you very properly remarked, Finch.
Don't she carry on the oimen's business !
dare say /, will support her very we'll"
"why, no. said Mr. Colleu "Briggs
died bankrupt, and Ills widow and children
are destitute
"'rhai does not alter the question:" said Pc
ter Finch. "Lei Briggs's family do something
for her"
"To be snfo !" said Mr. Coleii. "Briggs's
family are the people to do something for her.
She mus, n, expect anything from us-mus,
she, John :"
destitute, Is shei" said John. "Wiih
children too Why, this is another case, Sir
You surely ought 10 notice her-to assist her
Confound it, I'm for letting her have the hun.
dred year"
"Oh, John, John What a breakdown ~
said Mr. Coleti. $50 you were trying to fol
low Peter Finch through Stony Arabia, ant
turned back at the second step Here's brav,
traveller for you, Peter! John, John, keep Il
your Arabia Felix, and leave s,erner ways Il
very different men. Good bye, both of you
I've no voice to talk any more. I'll think owe
all YOU have said
lie pressed their hands, and they lefl ii'
room. The old man was too weak to speal
next day, and in three days after tha, he ealml,
breathed his last
As soon as the funeral was over the will wa
read by the confidential man Of business, VIII
had always attended 10 Mr. Collects afTaifs.-
The group that sat around him preserved dec
orous appeamnco of disinterestedness and tn
usual preamble to the will having been Listener
to with brea,hless attention, the man Of bust
ness read the following in clear voice
81 bequeath to my niece, Emma Briggs, not
wthsianding that she shocked her family b,
marrying an GILMAN, the sum Of four thousan
pounds being fully persuaded that her los
dignity, il she could even find il again, wouli
do nothing TO provide her with food, or cloth
ing, or Shelter
John Meade smiled and Peter Finch gtonn
his ieeih-bat in 4 quiet, respectable manner
, The man Of business went on with his read
ing.
"Having always held the opinion that wilma
should be rendered rational and independer
beng--and having duly considered the fact tha
society practically denies her the right Of earn
: ing her own Iiving-I hereby bequeath to Mar
| Sutton, the only child Of my old friend Fredei
ick Sutton, the sum OF ten thousand pound:
1 which will enable her to marry or to renal
; single, as she may prefer"
John Meade gave a prodigious start upo
hearing this, and Peter Finch ground his teet
again--bui in a manner hardly respectable
Both, however, by violent effort, kept silen
The man of business went on with his TeaS
ing.
~ have paid some attention TO the charahts
Of my nephew, John Meade, and have bee
n grieyed to find him much possessed with fee
!. ing of philanthropy, and with general prele
: cnce for whatever is noble and truo over wha
ever is base and false. As these iendenci'
|. are by no means such as can advance him
the world, bequeath him The sum of ten tho
v sand pounds-hoping that he will thus be ke
I out Of the workhouse, and be enabled to pai
II his great historical pie,ure--which, as yet,
has only talked about. n.
s 'As for my other nephew, Peter Finch,
q views all things in so sagaeious and selfish
d way, and is so certain to get on in life, that
should only insult him by offering an aid whi'
e he does not require yet, from his atfectioua
4 uncle, and snlirely as Testimony Of admirati'
, for his mental acuteness, venture to hope III
r he will accept bequest Of five hundred POM
/ toward the completion of his extensive libra
Of law-books."
How Peter Finch storried, and called nam
al how John Meade broke into delirium
n joy--how Mary Sutton cried first, and th
laughed, and then cried and laughed togethe
all these matters shall not attempt to DESERT
NJ Mary Sutton is now Mrs John Meade and i
husband has actually begun the great historic
N, picture. Peter Finch has taken 10 discount
u Hills and brinpino actions on them and dTi,