Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-09-02
A LOST INHERITANCE.

A LOST INHERITANCE.
The Paris correspondent of the New 7 York
Express writes thus
have story to relate to your readers this
week, which, though occupying more space
than usually devote to incidents, conveys so
excellent a moral, that L have yielded to the
temptation to give it in full.
The train from Paris to Lyons stopped at
the station of Joigny, town upon the route,
and again went on, after leaving few passen-
gers. The depot, for moment crowded with
railroad agents and lookers-on, was soon de-
serted by all but two individuals.
One of these was an old man, dressed in the
garb of well-to-d do farmer; the other, youth
of five -and-twenty, who seemed to be waiting
for some one to meet him. To this parsonage
the old finally addressed himself. ssMay
presume, sir,' said he, ssto inquire if you are
Clement B.''
"Ycs, my good man." replied the youth
with a haughtiness of manner: ssand have
no doubt you are Mr.. Martini
cat your service, SIR returned the other.
'sWeN, Mr.. Martini continued Clement, 81
began to imagine you intended to keep me
waiting. That would not have been the best
manner in which to have lnsinuated yourself
into my good graces.''
The old man, instead of replying, let his
head fall upon his breast as if IN deep affiiction,
and conducting the newcomer towards an old
fashioned carriage, to which a rough looking
horse was harnessed.
ssHere is your carriage, sir,' said Martin.
s'If you will be good enough to get in | will
have the honor of conducting you to the Her
mitage.''
ssThat my carriage 20 cried Clement ssWhy
! shall be taken for travelling pedlar.
Notwithstanding, as there seemed no means
of avoiding it be took his seat beside the old
man, but not without expressions of disdain.
In another moment the man had seized the
rcins, and the horse started on a clumsy trot.
But few days before, Mr.. Clement B., who
now puts on so many grand airs, simple
clerk in a crockery store in Paris, and posses
sed the reputation of being quiet, unpretend-
Ing little fellow. What, then had brought a.
bout this sudden and radical Transformation ?
He had become, since the previous day, rich
man; and it may be we'll understood that the
possessor of an income of 20, 600 francs year
finds it difficult to retain the modest demean-
or of poor clerk. On the previous day, while
busting the crockery under his Charge, a letter
had arrived for him by the post, containing
the startling intelligence that one of his uncles,
whom he had often heard of as an eccentric
and very wealthy old man, but whom he had
never seen, had just died ~ his chateau in Bur-
gundy, leaving his nephew. Clement, sole leg
atee OF his estates, to the exclusion of many
other heirs. The letter was from notary of
the province, who desired him to leave Paris
Immediately for Joigny, the town near which
his uncle had resided, where he would be met
by Martin, az old confidential servant of the
defunct, and conducted from the railroad to
the esHcrmitage.'' the name which the de-
ceased had given to his chateau and his estate,
which constituted the main. Almost driven
out of his senses by such an unexpected stroke
Of fortune, he fastened to obey the notary s
directions, land upon his arrival at Joigny Joined
old Martin, as we have seen. On Jolted the
queer vehicle, in which our hero had so con-
Iemptuously taken place, until after ride OF
several miles the occupants arrived at their
destination. Martin offered the honors OF the
Hermitage to the new proprietor, caiied all
the servants, and introduced them to their fu-
ture master, and then conducted the latter 10
his apartments.
ssThis was the sleeping apartment OF your
uncle" said Martin as they entered vast u
partment, furnished in old fashioned style.
1t was the room he died in ten days ago.
But the nephew, instead of evincing any e.
motion upon being shown the chamber of his
benetactor, threw upon all around look oil
scorn, and cried, Upon my word, can't say
think much OF the old boys taste never saw
anything so trightfully ugly in all my life."
"NotTithstanding, sir,'' replied Martin.