The Van Buren press., 1870-03-15

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An hour afterwards Thomas Lawrence
and Benjamin Temple were ushered into
the sitting room of their generous rela
tive.
"Well. boys" said the old gentleman,
with benevolent smile, "why do you
think that l have sent for your
without knowing, my dear sir, b
assured that 1t gives us pleasure at all
times to come and see you"
1t was Benjamin Temple, the lawyer,
who said this, with a smooth smile, and
an air Of atfectionate respect.
"My cousin is quite right" chimed in
Thomas Lawrence, afraid that the lawyer
would distance him in the competition
for their relatives favor "My cousins
expresses my sentiments exactly"
"Thank " you, boys" said the old gen
tleman, whose superior age led him to
employ this youthful mode of address.
"Well, not to keep you in suspense any
longer, have got tired oftaking care Of
my property. and as it would go to you,
eventually, might as well let you have
it now"
Tho two cousins endeavored not to in
dicate their excessive delight at this an
nouncement.
Robert Morton continued: 81 want to
treat you as nearly alike as possible, hav-
ing no reason to prefer one above the
other. / have some ten thousand dol
lars in mortgages which | will transfer
to you, cousin Temple. Your legal edu-
cation will enable you TO take good care
oftnem The assessors tell me this es-
tate is worth about as much, and this
will make over to you, cousin Lawrence.
| have observed that the house you at
present live in, is not altogether com
modious
"How very kind and generous You
are" exclaimed the cousins, in concert.
mot at all am only influenced by
the selfish desire to get rid OF business
care. | am going to saddle you with
myself in return. II you take my prop
erty, you must expect to take care OF me.
| propose to live with each Of you six
months in the year, and as l need TO re-
pair the defects in my wardrobe. will
trouble each of you for an annual allow
ance Of a hundred dollars, which will
suffice for my moderate wants"
1T is the least we can do for you,"
said the lawyer. But why not make
the allowance larger ="
"If l need money, my dear fellow, l
know ysu will be perfectly willing to give
it, But trust the sum mentioned will
suffice. And, by the way, these stipula-
tons have mentioned, do not care to
reduce to writing, l trust implicitly to
your generosity. / prefer to make free
gift ofthe property to you
The cousins poured out forveht protes-
tations Of their gratitude and affection,
and congratulated themselves in the pros
pect of their dear cousins society for six
months in the year.
Mr.. Morton-good, easy man as he
was-believed them implicitly, and when
they had left the house, the transfer hav.
ing been affected, said to the lawyer:
There, Burdick, don'tyo feel asham-
cd OF your suspicious Confess, how
far wrong you aref'
Just wait awhile" was the lawyers
wary reply, 81 have seen nothing to
demonstrate the futility OF my suspicious
as yet We will. IL you please, wait and
see what the future will develop
Mr. Morton grew almost angry with
his friend, for what he styled his absurd
suspicious being good natured man. he
quickly recovered from his momentary
irritation.
1t was arranged that Mr.. Morton was
to alternate between the two houses every
three months; spending the first three
with Thomas Lawrence, who had receiv-
ed the estate. At first he was treated
with great consideration, and regarded
as the master Of the house. although he
had given it up. As week followed week,
the attention diminished, but not sufi-
ciently so to be marked.
At the house of the lawyer, Mr.. Nor
ton at first met with considerable atten
ton, but in course of time, his wishes
came to be less studied. At one time,
when some company arrived from New
York Mr.. Morton was asked to give up
his room, and take much smaller and
more inconvenient one. Mrs. Temple
apologizcd in rather n lame way, when
the old gentleman fixed his eye steadily
upon her, but persisted in her requisi
ton.
He Yielded without q word. At the
close OF his stay with the lawyer, he ap
piled for portion Of the annual sum
which his cousin had agreed to furnish
him for his occasional expenses,
cit isn't quite convenient now,' said
the lawyer, carelessly.
"The sum is only fifty dollars" said
Mr.. Morton, Significantly.
9" dare say my cousin would oblige
vou," returned the lawyer. AT present
I have just made an investment, and can't
well do it,"
Mr.. Morton turned away, but said no.
thing.
He made similar application to Tho
mas Lawrence, who, with an air of reluc-
tance, handed him half the amount, say.
ing he would have the rest j" before long"
On returning to his old home. he was
assigned room in the third story, and
when he offered little remonstrance,
was put off with shabby excuse.
Slowly the old gentleman awakened to
the conviction that his cousins were un-
grateful men OF the world, whose courte
sy and friendlncss had oil vanished with
the idea that he had it no longer in his
power to be of service to them.
At this time il chanccd that pretty
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