The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-10-20

might appear at first sight. There were
four other competitors entered besides my
wife, all Of whom were ''we!l in, and doubt
less each stable thought the chances of its
own horse were the best
First, Paul Sleezinslli, the son of Sir Pc
ter Sparkles'S first wife by former mar
| rage. This young man had a sort of mora
right 10 the magnificent head dress anc
stonlacher of brilliauts, which had belonged
to his Polish mothor; and Sir Peter had, il
writing, admitted the claim.
Secondly, Don Estaban de Santiago. g
South American gentleman, had certainly
been disappointed Of inheriting number Of
emeralds of rare size and water, which would
probably have come into his possession, had
not his foolish old aunt been canght by the
attentions and the title Qhe value of which
she somewhat over-estinated) of the Eng
lish baronet; and as the Don had refrain
ed from even attempting topistol or stiIettC
the lntrudlng uncle, that gentleman had
felt the extent of his obligations towards
him, and had promised that he too should
find himself all the better tor his forbearance
when that death befeII which he had refrain
ed from anticipating. ......
1
ector Of rare jewels, had once proposed to
Sir Peter Splrkies that the one who died
| first should leave his stock to the survivor,
and So at all events, delay the dispersion OF
| the gems which it had taken so much time,
labor, and expense TO gather together; and
Sir Peter had seemed pleased by the idea,
| though he would not positively pledge him
sell To the arrangement.
FourthIy, Kezah Buggins, Sir Peters
Ihouse-keeper, was supposed to make him
very comfortable, and TO be an artfui, de-
signing woman. She certainly had done
her best OF late years to prevent the old
mans relatives from obtaining an inter
view with him; but that might have been
III deference to his express orders. However
hat might he, her chance was considered a
good @.-, ana she was quite favorite lin
tile dialect Of the better ring, mind you
and by no means in any atlectiouate sense
OF the term] amongst those who watched
the event with interest.
-Four to one on the field would have
been very safe betting, for we were all
dark horses :" and though we were stand
old mans iewel-closet ii would have puzzled
ped US
This was the odds and latest news at the
Chimney corner on the morning when my
wife was reckoning up all the friends whose
silver she could borrow but while she was
at'so med in her calculations, the post came
tn, sad blackooTdered ietier was placed in
my hands, which quite dispersed all her
pans
Il do not know any one who has fish
knives" she was saying at the moment
opened il, which is pity, for like the
fashion vastly. Do you think you could
hire any r
st VIII not be necessary to do so now"
rejolued, NOR will you be able ever to Dor
row plate again, tor we shall either nave a
supartluity, or be left without excuse for not
providing ourselves with what is needful
from our own resources.
"What Uncle Puter?"
SIS dead"
''Poor old mani
But when a man is very old and very
cracked, and one has not seen him for years
one cannot feel inconsolably grieved at his
decease, even II ne be ones mothers brother
while uncertain whether he has
left one anything. My wife is not hum
bug, 50 she did not cry, but turned very
pale and the next thing she said, was =
Nov we shall know!"
All the horses came to the post, or rather, |
10 drop the sporting metaphor which struck !
me so whimsically at the time, that | am
unable to help introducing it while telling
my story, all five expectants were at the
funeral. Paul Sneezinski and Don Esteban !
who were i'll England with view to urging
their respective claims upon the old man
whom their agents had represented as de-
Ginning rapidly, and who had been ioied in
heir attempts to gain access TO him, Lord
Sontechristo- who had LETT his Jewels to
he other and felt that he had right to
count upon the reciprocity, and myself were
ali present by special invitation: Mrs Bug
gins was IN the house ex-CEci0
What demOralizing thing that greedi-
less is; the soJemnity Of death, the hope OF
Immortality, the thought that the poor bo-
iy which we were hiding away i'll the earth
vas but the other day living, talking, plan
llnS, as we then were, and that in few
short years at furthsst, we should be help
esS, senseless, dark like it; the moral les |
son taught by the little good the dead man
lad derived from his horded treasures, see
ng that penny given to beggar lent we
ire told would be Of more value to him
low than the hOh-i-noor-toa all this We We're
leaf and blind; the one thought which,
ilnned i'll our ears, and swan before our
yes was, who will inherit? | felt it my
,Gif, and saw it in the eyes, and especially |
n the lips Of my companions; that was our
,uiy Thought. We returned to the house,
lud gashcred in the sitting room; the law
ier opened the will. wonder whether the
principal end and aim Of all legal documents
8 to spoil as much parchment as possible |
'efore coming to the point; if SO, they are
successful, and the present |
will was masterpiece; at last the name
Iontechristo surged out Of sea Of words,
md this is an Infringement of what follow
I'd Il know that there was d sort Of I'M
Restraining between Lord Montechristo and
myself that the one who died first should |
cave his collection to the survivor, and
mis- | at one time fully intended to adhere
%; but the serious considerations upon
heath and responsibility called up by the
making Of my will, and putting down in
black and white what | desired might be
lone when L was 40 more, together with
0aidpbCl al LllC DiDAC5 pun WllNi L CLCNi'tCti
tally litabout a man who hid his talent IN a
napkin, diverted me fron. an act Of so great
injustice; and if Lord 1iontechristo has full
filed his part of the proposed agreement, to
which, however, he must remember that /
never absolutely pledged myself l can only
beg his forgiveness
Lord Montechristo turned scarlet.
''forgivenessr' be cried. "Why, it is a
breach Of contract, swindlo, an attempt
to obtain money under false pretences; why
have left him on my side every diamond,
every
Pardon me, my Lord, . said the Lawyer;
This outburst tbs hardly opportune. If
you have any legal remedy, bring it for
ward afterwards if not remember that it is
hardly reasonable to expect the present com
pany to sympathize with your disappoint-
ment."