The mountain Democrat., 1863-10-17
The Lest Inhsritanee.

at the station Of JOigny, town upon the
route, and, after leaving . few passengers,
again went on. The station, far mo-
ment crowded with rAilway-porters and
lookers.on, was soon deserted by all but
two individuals. One, O6 them an old
man dressed in the garb CT q well-to-do
farmer; the other youth Of about FIVE
and twenty who seemed to he waiting for
some one to come and meet him. To this
person the old man presently addressed
himself.
"May presume, SIR" said he, "to in
quire If you are Clement B--?"
Yes my g06G man, repHed the youth
with hautiness of manner, "and have
no doubt you are Mr.. Martin"
"At your service sir, replied the 9TH
er.
"Well, Mr.. Martin" conntiued Clement
in the same tone, i" began to imagine
you intended TO keep me waiting. That
would not have been the best manner in
which to have insinuated yourself into
my good graces."
The old man, Instead Of replying, let
his hand fall upon his breast as if in the
deepest afliction, and conducted the new
conner toward large old fashioned cnr-
riage, to which very rough looking
horse was harneSsed
"Here is your carriage, SIR" said Mar
tin, "if you will be good enough to get in,
will have the honor Of conducting you
to the Hermitage"
"ThAt my carriage. sir" cried Glenn
ent." Why, shall be taken for travel
ing pcddler"
But few days before, Mr.. Clement
B., who now put on so many airs,
was simple clerk in crockery ware
house in Paris, and possessed the repu-
tation of being a quiet, unpretending lit
tie fellow. What had brought about this
sudden and radical Transformation He
had become, since the previous day, q
rich man and it may be well understood
that the poesessor OF IN income Of twenty
thousand francs year, finds it difficult
to retain the modest demeanor of q poor
clerk. On the previous dav, while dust.
ing a large pile Of crockcry under his
charge, a letter arrived for him by post
conveying to him the StaI tling intelli.
gcnce that one of his uncles, Of whom he
had often heard as an eccentric and very
wealthy old man, but whom he had new
er seen, had just died at his residence in
Burgundy, leaving his nephew Clement,
sole heir to his estate to the exclusion Of
many other heirs.
The letter was from q notary in the
Province who desired him to leave Paris
for Joigny, the town near which his un.
Gle had resided, where he would be met
by Mr.. Martin, an old confidential SER
want Of the deceased, and conducted from
the railroad to the q" Hermitage" the
name which the deseased had given to
his estate.
Almost driven out of his senses by
such an unexpected stroke of fortune,
Clement hastened to obey the notary's
order, and on his arrival at Joigny joined
Martin as we have seen.
On jolted the queer vehicle in which
our hero had so contemptuously taken
place, until after a ride of several miles
the occupants arrived at their destination.
He offered the honors of the Hermitage
to the new proprietor, called all the SER
wants and introduced them to their future
master, and then conducted the latter to
his own apartments.
This was the sleeping apartment Of
your uncle" said Martin, as they entered
a large apartment furnished in old fash
ioned style. 1t was in this room he
died"
But the nephew, instead of evincing
any emotion upon being shown the cham
ber Of his benefactor, threw upon oil
around him look of scorn and cried
upon my word, can't say l think
much OF the old boys taste. never
saw anything so very ugly in oil my life."
Notwithstanding, sir" replied Martin
L" it is the best we have here; and if you
cannot content yourself, really don't
know where you will find other lodg-
ings."
~ live herel" exclaimed the young
man. "You do not imagine that am
such donkey, l hope For US young
fellows, do you see, Paris is the only
place; SO / shall sell this crazy old rook-
cry at once, and then be off,"
"Sell the Hermitage I" exclaimed Mar
tin" Your uncle's favorite place Of resi-
dence! Impossible And we servants,
who hoped to end our days under this
root, what is to become Of US ?"
Mr.. Martin, returned the young man,
"let me have none Of your complaints, |
beg. Get me some dinner, and alterward
you will drive me to the notary's."
After having eaten hearty meal, not
withstanding he found the meats insipid
and the wines sour, the legatee. Still ac-
companied by Martin, re-entered the car
riage and the two started off.
"lf I am not mistaken" observed c.
after an hours ride, "we passed this spot
this morning; and tbat," pointing TO a
building, "is the railroad station. Do we
take the train thcrcy"
You alone will do so, responded his
speaking very gravely, and in
a manner which made the young man
tremble in spite of himself. IL, sir, am
your uncle, and happily am not dead
Having heard good accounts Of your con-
duct, had resolved to make you heir of
all possess; but before doing so had re.
solved to ascertain if you were really de-
serving Of my generosity, and | had re-
course to stratagem which has thoroughly
exposed your true character to me. Good
by, Clement; return to your business, and
that your arrogance andingrat-
itude have lost you that which will never
again be placed within your reach"
IT is a beautiful saying of somebody
that gratitude is the music of the heart
when its chords are swept by the gentle
breeze Of kindness" Many hearts, how
ever, might as we'll be strung with bed
cord for all the music of gratitude that