Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-12-31
READING THE WILL.
rAeE FROM THE DIARY OF A FoRrrSE-nrsTER.
BY MRS. ABBY.

affianced bride, Constance Graham, requesting
me to attend at two o'clock that day at the
house of her late uncle in Harley-street, for
the purpose of hearing his will read. had
the greatest pleasure in complying with this
invitation. had really begun to fancy that
old Mr. Graham was going to remain perpet-
ually on the earth, like Mrs. Norton's "Undy
ing One = he was always on the point of
death, and always cured, and better than ever
in the course of few days; last month the
cold water system seemed completely to reno
Yate him, but he suddenly relapsed, departed
from the world, and left fifty thousand pounds
and will behind him. Though Constance is
the prettest and most amiahle girl of my ac-
quaintance, | had determined never to marry
her while her uncle lived he had frequently
proclaimed her his heress, but as frequently
took offence at something or at nothing in her
behavior, and bequeathed his wealth to a hos
pitalr prison, or lunatic asylum. felt quite
easy on the present occasion, for Mrs. Bates,
Mr.. Graham's housc-keeper, had given me in
formation that only an hour before her mas
ters death, he had told her he had handsome
~ provided for Constance. ] felt, however,
that it was my policy to appear ignorant Of
that circumstance, Constance being very ro-
mantle, and Constance's mother very suspi-
ciOus.
AT the appointed time walked into the
dnwing-room in iiarley-streeti the very few
relatives of the old gentleman were assembled
There was Constance, looking as lIebe might
have looked If Hebe had ever worn Grape and
bombazine; Constances mother, looking stiff
cross, and uneasy an elderly female cousin
and STRIPPING nephew OF the deceased |
feared none of them. | knew that Mr.. Graham
disliked his fine lady sister-in-lsw, despised
the seryilty of his elderly cousin, and dreaded
the frolics of his STRIPPING nephew. seated
myself by Constance, and in a soft tone began
to protest my affection and disinterestedness.
"Knowing the caprice of your uncle, my be-
loved" | said, 81 have every reason to con-
clude that shall hear you are disinherited;
this, however, will be of little moment to me
have enough for comfort, though not for lux
ury, and, as the song beautifully says
still fixed in my heart be it never forgot
That the wealth of the cottage is love.'n
Il fancy, Mr.. Chiffon said Constances mo-
ther, looking excessively sneering and shrewish,
''that it is pretty well known that my daughter
is the sole heress of her uncle's wealth.
"Tndeed, madam n replied, with start of
surprise, ~ was not aware that any surmise
was hazarded concerning the contents of Mr..
| Graham's will
a have heard surmise hazarded," sharply
| interposed the elderly cousin, ''that Mr. Ora
ham was not in his senses when he made it,"
"The mind must be both base and weak
retorted Constance's mother, (which could
| give credence to such rumor" And forth
with sparrng dialogue took place between
the tive ladies, during which | whispered to
Constance page OF Moore's poetry done into
| prose.
| Temple now entered the room, the solicitor
| and intimate friend of the late Mr.. Graham; he
was handsome young man. and had presum-
ed at one time to lift his eyes to Constance
he opened the will, and we all became mutely
attentive. oh, what a disappointment awaited
u.s. Three thousand pounds were bequeathed
to Constance, (this was the old fellows idea
of handsome proyisionD Five hundred
pounds to the elderly cousin, ditto to the strip
ling nephew, small legacies 10 the servants,
and the remainder of his wealth to found q
cold water establishment for the reception Of
those who were not rich enough to pay a gra-
tuity for being half drowned. Temple read
names of the attesting witnesses and then re-
freshcd himself with sherry and biscuits. AS
he was friend of the family, his presence was
no restraint on conversation.
sThat will ought to be disputed said Con-
stances mother, looking very red ~ do not
believe Mr.. Graham was in his senses when he
made it,
Il thought" said the elderly cousin with n
sneer, "that the mind must be both base and
weak which could give credence to such sur
mise.'
"Dear mammal said Constance, edo not
be dscomposedi am very well contented-I
shall not be quite portionless BRIDE Con-
stance mere held out her delicate white hand TO
mel affected not to see it.
i'My dear Miss Graham" said, 'tdo not be-
leve me SO cruel and selfish as to wish to
plunge you into poverty
IL thought you said that your income was
sufficient for every comfort" remarked the
STRIPPING nephew.
did not condeseend to answer him, but
continued: ''No Constance, though it bretkS
my heart to do so, give you back your free
dom, saying, in the pathetic words of Haynes
Bayly, May your lot in life be happy, undis-
turbed by thoughts Of menn was just maxi
ing for the door, leaving Constance looking
more like Niobe than Hebe, when Temple said,
II think the party had better remain till Ihaye
read the codicil.'
! reseated myself in amaze. and Temple
forthwith read that the tcstator, being con-
WINGED that he had received no benefit from
the cold water system, revoked and rescinded
his legacy to it, bequeathing the same to his
beloved niece, Constance Graham.
"Constance dear Constance" exclaimed,
in the softest of tones. But Constance looked
neither like Hebe nor Niobe, but as stern and
severe as Nedea. then attacked Temple
lis it legal ! said, 'only to read part Of a
will?n
~ read every word of the will" he replied,
and, having greatly fatigued myself by so do
ing trust that it was perfectly legal to refresh
myself with glass of sherry before read the
codicl.r
was going to utter some further remarks.