The Feliciana Democrat. (Clinton, La.) 1855-186?, 1859-02-26

praises of the departed, with unusual Impress
iyenc>S, in choice operate nnSic.
But imagine my feeling, boy /, who had
been his servant, his dog, who had denied
myself every youthful pleasure from boyhood
up, expecting to be rcmuncrated for my priva.
tons at his DEATH felt that my uncle had
robbed me of my legitimate earnings, and with
them had frauduenily negotiated II bill of cx-
change from the Patagonians, the Fccjceans,
aud the benevolent institutions, to his credit
in the Bank of Heaven.
But You must not suppose that my uncle
had lied when he told me that | was rcmem
bcred in his will. lie had left me legacy,
and on that legacy hangs the story of my life.
1t didn't prove bad one. and it is one which
you must have and use if you ever succeed, as
have done. Perhaps l shall transmit it to
you; so be all ears, boy.
Tho last clause in the will gave and be-
queathcd to my unclc's beloved nephew care
fully.sealcd little package, with the request that
| should open it on the following day alone,
in my room.
What if it should prove to be a codical, al
tcring the will in my favor? thought /.
Wouldn't there be disappointment among the
cantiug philanthropists who are waiting, like
hungry wolves, to seize on the prey! What
if it should reveal to me some hidden treasure
of my unclc's some secret subterrancan vaults,
filed with heaps Of gold and pots of gcms
With such surmiscs | tossed slccplcssly all
that night and, at the APPOINTED hour, seized
the package, bore it to my room, and tore oil
the envelop There fell from it on the floor II
thin piece of metal, about as large as one Of
the new cent, and bearing the inscription.
SUB hack Sigao rinccs' The metal was not gold
nor silver, nor had it any apparent value.
What it was, shall tell you by and bye, boy.
In the package was note addressed TO me,
in my uncc's handwriting Here it is have
preserved it carefully. 1t reads:
my DEAR NErHEw--iou have doubtless expect
cd that | would leave You my property, with which
to rejoice and make merry over my death. true
regard for your welfare has led me 10 make other dis
positions Of it, But leave you what. ifrghty used.
will be of more value to you than money. The en-
closed metal is 4 talisman. lly means Of il |
have risen from poverty and obscury to wealth, sta
ton, and influence Take it and Use il constant Y. re-
Wondering the practical lessons YOU have learned IN
my service and you will yet have reason to bless
our ailccionatc uncle
Making virtue Of necessity, | swallowed
the bitter pill Of disappointment and resolved
TO follow my unclcs advice. When the runer-
al was over, took the taliSmun and set ont
to seek my fortune. Being destitute OF capital
decided TO acquire profession ! chose the
law. 4 limb Of that sublime profession aSsrr-
ed me- OH seeing my tasman, that | could be
admitted to practice within six months from
beginning my studies.
i went to an eminent lawyer who had adj
yertSed for clerk, and applied for the Stua-
4 tt,n Nino IL, n,lf L., /
ready in the Office, and the learned gentleman
was intcrrogatng them as to their qualiica-
tons. Their answers were charmingly Sa,islac.
tory. When it came my turn being Unable
to give any other reply, produced and dis
played my taliSman. Enough cried the mar
Of law; If yon have that, you will be sure to
succeed. give You the situation
al the end Of six months, presented my.
self in court to pass my examination. There
too, were the nine modest applicants whom
had discomitted in the lawyers Office Sever.
al Of them blushed and hesitatcd, and were re
.jccted; but stood up before the court witt
calm assurance, and again dplaycd my tails
man The court smiled approyingly, and mt
tered, Hell do So | was admitted to The
bar
:. was now, indeed lawyer; but what is {
lawyer without clients? Clients | must have
\ rare opportunity presented itself, An afro
I, cious crime had been committed. The paper
were filled with details of the horror Public
excitement was at lavc-heat. The crimina
had been secured. The evidence against lin
was overwhelming
{, My decision was taken. Invent to the Jail
entered the cell Of the prisoner and promiscc
to procure his acqnittal if he would employ IN,
as his counsel. An acquitta he had not ven
: tured to hope for but my Mlisman won hi
confidence, and he consented to employ me.
The day Of trial arrived at length, and re
lying on the power Of my talisman, | took m,
) place in the courtroom, which was filled witt
an excited multitude.
i put in the plea Of insanity To that en-,
| produced as witnesses for the defence physi
clans 'of the highest professional emncnce
| who testified uncquivocally and decidedly thai
they could not say that the prisoner might no
possibly been insane. l produced other wit
nesses from distant part Of the country, VIII
, swore that they knew nothing against the pre-
. ylous good character Of the accused.
J, When addressed the jury surpassed tn
: prosecuting attorney in charging upon IL