The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-07-01
THE THIRD CHOICE.
A FRENCH WILL STORY.


SIS she dead, tben!'
Yes, madam replied little gentle.
man in brown coat and short breeches.
And her willl'
is going to be opened here immediate
ly by her solicitor.
Shall we inherit anythingl'
1t must be supposed so; We have q
claim
who is that miserably dressed person
age who intrudes herself hcrel'
oh, she, " said the little man, sncering-
ly, she wont have much in the will; she
is sister to the deceased
What, that Annie, who welded in l g.
ID a man of nothipg-an officer
Precisely 90.
She must have no small amount ofim-
pudeuce to present herself here before a
respectable family
The more so, as sister Egcrie, Of noble
birth, had never given her that nleS0ll-
lance
Anne moved this time across
the room in which the family of the de-
ceased we're assembled She was pale,
her fine black eyes were filed with pre-
cocious wrinkles.
what do you come here for!' said, with
great haughtiuess, Madame de Nilleboys,
the lady who, m oment before, had been
interrog eating the little nan who Inherited
with her.
Madam the poor lady replied with
humility, did not come here to claim
part Of what does not belong to me; |
come solely to see NJ Dubois, my poor
sisters solicitor, to inquire if she spoke Of
me iu her last hours
what! do you think people busy them
selves about you! arrogantly observed
Madame de Villeboy>; the disgrace Of a
great house-you welded a man of moth
ing, a soldier of Bonaparte's.'
Madame, my husband, although
child of the people, was a brave soldier,
and what is better, an honest man, obser-
we'd Anne.
At this moment venerable parsonage,
the notary Dubois, made his appearance.
Cease, he said, to reproach Anne with
q union which her sister has long forgiv.
en- her. Anne loved q brave, generous,
and good man, who had no other crime
to reproach himself with than his poverty
aud the obscurity of bis name, neverthe-
less, had he lived, if his family had known
him as knew him-I, his old friend--
Anne would be at this time happy and
respected
But why is this woman herel'
Because it is her place to be here, said
the notary gravely; Il myself requested
her to attend here
NJ. Dubois then proceeded to open the
will.
Il, being sound in mind and heart, E.
serie do Dameuing, retired as boarder
in the convent Of the Sacred Heart of Je-
sus, distste the following wishes as the
expression of my formal desire aud prin-
cipsl clause of my testament.
After my decease theere will be found
two hundred thousand francs in money
at my uotary's, besides jewelry, clothes
and furniture; also a chateau worth two |
hundred thousand francs.
In the convent where have been re-
siding, there will onl be found my book,
'HeuTes de Vierge,' holy volume, which
remains as it was when took it with me
ut the time Of emigration. desire that
these objects be divided into three lots.
The 6rst lot, tie two hundred thous-
and francs iD money.
The second lot, the chateau, furniture,
and jewels.
The third lot, my book, Heures de la
Vierge.
Il have pardoued sister Anna, the grief
which she has caused to US, and [ would !
have comforted her in her sorrows if |
had known sooner of her return to France. |
/ compromise ber 10 my will.
Madame de Villeboys, my much be-
loved cousin, shall have the first choice.
M. Vatry, my brotber-in-law, shall
have the second choice.
Anne will take the remaining lot
sAh! ah!' said Vatry, Sister Egerie
was q good one; that is rather clever on
her part!
.Anne will only have the prayer book
exclaimed Madame de Filleboys, laugh
ing aloud. The notary interrupted her
joculsrly.
Madame be said, which lot do you
choose
sThe two hundred thousand francs in
money
Have you quite made up your mind?
Perfectly So
The man of law, addressing himself
then to the good feelings of the lady said,
Madame. you are rich, and Anne has
nothing. Could you not leave her this
lot, and take the book of prayers, which
the eceentricity Of the deceased has plac-
1T kLn oth.r lofs1'