Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-10
From Chamber. Journal
MRS. BANWELL'S LEGACY,

MIS- Bsnwell was a widow; doubly so, in
item, retired butcher, and item, q small
money lender. Each had borne fruit after his
bind; and Mrs. Banweli lived comfortably on
The produce, about four hundred a year. We
call her, perhaps rather unkindly, the Vampire
Yet there was one thing we could not but sd-
mire about the widow-she WAS so consistent.
There was no nonsense about her, no hypo-
erisy nor affectatiOn of fine motives. We had
known her As a ''gTl"-well, say of seven or
eight and thirty, buIOH, comely, and with
capacity OF making herself exceedingly agreea-
BILE when she chose. She never made any Sc
cret Of her intentions; she dotted on old men
and would marry an old manor two, IL need
ful-tO obtain a respectable maintenance aud
due provision for the future There was no re-
lance to be placed in Young men. she need TO
say regarding them in the light of an invest
ment), no knowledge hcw they would turn out;
whether, having money, they would not risk
and lose IT. or having none, If they would ever
push their way on TO fortune. 1t was a great
speculation 10 marry young man, and not be-
ing OF a speculative turn of mind, she preferred
the more solid InveStmC Mt Of a comfortable old
gentleman who had been through the world,
gathered up his earthly dress into the Three
per Cents, and only wanted a companion 20 see
hlEl home the last mile OF two through this vale
of tears.
So she married the butcher. All butchers are
mOrtslS. but old butchers, accustomed all their
lives TO the blue serge smOek and the dangling
steel, when they retire, 20 out OF business, ont
of their element, and ont OF the world nearly
together With nothing more to kill, there was
nothing more TO live for, % the retired butcher
u III.
decently mourning his iOss for two wears, and
settling up his Affairs, his reiiet became Mrs.
BanWel.
Three per Cents Killed MIR. Banweu. De-
prived OF the risk and excitement attached to
lending small sums, and diScounting bills at ex-
brilliant rates, and receiving nothing but
STEADY, liked, half yearly payments OF three per
cent broke his heart. Tie would gladly have
returned to business, but had sold his business
and he possessed neither aptitude nor liking for
any other sort OF monetary business than his
own particular walk, and he was too Old to
commence again in that in some other town.
There was little left for him to do but to die;
which, after mature reflection, he did.
Mrs. Banwell had done her duty BY both hus-
bands. She had been kindly and afectionate
and bad proved most agreeable companion TO
smooth the declining yeafS OF each. She had
spent the evening of their days with them seen
them home; and having herself retired to the
world; she lived on the two dead men. That
was why We called her the Vampire.
Her rrst husband, the butcher. had no imme-
diate relatyeS,whO felt themselves aggrievcd Al
took her third share, whilst the remainder was
distributed among the distant relations. In
Mr.. Banweli'~ case, however, his widow re-
ceived, BY the Will, tWO-thIrd> of the estate
real and personal Of which he died possessed,
whilst the residue went TO deceaseds nephew,
kT.. LOney, whaT finger of ST. katharine's
Docks London. who had always been brought
up 10 consider himself hesT to his uncle's entire
property. of course, Mr.. Loney was not well
pleased on first hearing OF his uncle's marriage:
but frequent visits had convinced him that Mrs.
Banwell was a very affabie and agreeable sort
of person, whom II was desirable moreover 10
keep in with. 20 they had always been on
friendly terms Mr.. LOney was even less
pleased on hearing the Will read: but not seeing
how rupture with his aunt could mend mat
tiers, be continued 70 maintain friendly relations
with her. Indeed, Mrs. Banweli found his ser
ylce> OF great use IN settling Mr.. BanwelI's at
fair and IL many diticuit matters had an
Pealed TO him for advice, which he always gave
an bG>inesS-like way, still, however, regarding
Mrs Banweil ia his heart. Notwithstanding her
ansbility. a a professional woman, who made
~ her business re marry old men, and live on
them after thew were dead. and one who. in ex-
erelse OF that profession, had 'dOne him" out OF
q considerable sum of money. We must all
hye-nw we esn-but we none OF Us like those
who, very Immediately and very obviously
live upon Whilst, therefore, Mr.. Ioney
fully accorded Mrs. Banwell her right and title
TO live upon him (ssh he considered she was do
ing 20 by receiving the largest share Of his
uncle's money under the will, he did not like
any the more FOR IL especially as he had a wife
AND large family 10 provide for. Yet, a. he
said what Is the good of quarrel? It would
iufalhbly ALLEVIATE any possible intentions she
may have OF restoring part ofths money to Us at
out Of my power to repay her in kind for the
grssplns aad coretous disposition think she
Accordingly, there was no quarrel; and some
four years after the death Of her last Ia mented
found MIS- Banuel (s,tai eireiter hfty) retired
from the profession OF marrying old people,
having amaSsed a competence on which TO i've
to the rest OF her days in the neat and pretty
cottage called Woodbury., situated Just outside
our Town OF WIpterford. where she dwelt NJ
peace with all mankind. and particularly re-
speeted BY shopkeepeTs, she paid cash for
everything At this point OF Mrs. Banvell's
history, when a novelist would certainly have
done with her. nv veracious story in reality
commences, the preceding portion being taken
by way OF prologue necessary TO in due COM
prehensiOn-
About this time, an old gentle man of verv nm
assuming habits came to winterford and rented
humble little cottage net far from Mrs Ban
wells more pretentious residence OF Wood
bury His name WAS Chatheld, a little old man
with twinkling eyes, and a seedv wig of nut
brown hair, as pslpably the work OF men . I'm
gers a. the thatch over his cottage. He must
have been very old indesd-how old I am
afraid 10 guesS-but has eyes had aiuaYs a con-
tented and often \ merry twiskie, a. though
secretly enjoying Joke, puckering up the yery
crow eject IN spite OF themselves. He was not
good looking Old man, for he had a complex
ion like bad medlar. He lived very rrugally
and quite alone. saving for al old housekeeper
who attended on him. and seldom went OUT ex-
cept for hall an hours airing on loot. when the
weather vas mild. His dress WA Remarkable
only for the genteel shabbiness attained by
vigorous brushing combined with long and
careful wear. He had resided in Winterford
quite n twelvemnnth without sonl taking any
notice him eNFt.ut tine m man ths ,asf-