Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-01-08


the tyrannies of Benson.
But Tim himself was not entirely at
ease on the score of Miss Ayers. The old
uncle had frowned on him, as he entered
the house, and had given sundry hints that
Eliza was not for him; while at the same
time he had attempted to lay his com.
mands upon Eliza, respecting the accept
ance of Benson. This uncle's name was
Pell. He had been made the sole execu.
tor of the will OF Eliza's father, himself
having the profits of the large estate of
the deceased gentleman. after supporting
and educating the daughter in her minor
ity, or until she should marry. An item
in the will was to this effeet-that if Eliza
married person of moderate fortune, the
whole estate, amounting to sixty thousand
dollars, was to become hers on her mar
riage day, or when she became Of age
butif her husband was himself heir to thirty
thousand dollars, half of the estate became
the property of her uncle-which suffi-
ciently explains the anxiety on the part Of
Mr.. Pell, that Eliza should marry Benson,
as he would thereby become possessed Of
snug little property.
Tim visited Eliza one evening, and
found her in tears. On his inquiring the
cause, she informed him that Benson had
that day repeated his suit, and had again
been rejected-that on learning it, her
uncle had come in and upbraided her, and
threatened if she did not accept Benson,
to dispossess her of her property, alleging
that he possessed the means of doing so,
as nobody had ever read the will of her
+ thor except himself--tha the subscribing
witness did not know the contents-that
probate had never been taken on it, and
that it was in his power to insert therein
clause requiring if she married it must
be with the consent of him, as her guar
dian and the executor of the will; and
then if she married Tim, it would be with
out his consent, and she would thereby
become disinherited forever
Cant you get possession Of the will po
inquired Tim Of Eliza.
81 should think it impossible, as my un-
Gle keeps it wen secured in an iron safe.r
I'm manage it, my dear,n replied Tim,
and we'll get the win from the old tyrant,
or am no conjurer. You have told me,
! think, that your uncle was very super
stitious ?'
'He is" said Eliza "he imagines often
that he hears the voice of Mr.. Jones, and
others OF his former tenants who are now
dead; and no wonder. for his expressions
were the ruin of those poor men,
In what part of the house does Your
uncle lodge ?" inquired Tim.
"On the first floor of the wing, at the
extremity OF the building" she replied.
Tim bade her good evening, and then
went to consult Mr.. Fletcher, bis attorney.
After sometime being spent in the consul
tation, Tim departed, and was vending
his way in brown study towards his
boarding house, when he was accosted by
Peter, the black servant of Pell. with
Fine evening, Massa Jocelyn-I want
TO speak to you"
Tim stopped, and turned round to the
negro. He was stout, humorous look
ing fellow, and approached Tim very
gracefully. He had been brought up by
Eliza's father, and was favorite domes-
tis Of that gentleman in his lifetime.
Peter commenced
Look here, Massa Jocelyn, you not
know what been goin on at Massa Pell's
since let you out the gate dis evenin.
Dat feller Benson he come agin to see
Misses and she scamper off to her room
and shot herself up, and den Benson went
away. Pretty soon Massa Pell Che wicked
old chap, Massa Jocelny,) came and call
young Missus out, and told her she must
marry dat Benson in a month, or he turn
her out of door. Poor young Missus cry
and take on SO, dat couldn't stand it, and
so fell a clustering too-caze you see,
she my old Massa's darter. and carry
her in my arms when she little piccanin-
ny. Dat old Massa Pell very cruel, Massa
Jocelyn, an he says she no hab any prop
erty she no marry Benson. Now, Massa
Jocelyn, what is to be done Can't YOU
lick dat Benson Be sure you can"
Peter was here interrupted by Tim, who,
finding from the tone Of the negro's con.
versaton, that he did not like his present
master over much, and would therefore
be of service to him in furthering the plan
he was about to propose, asked him where
he slept.
"In little room in de wing, close by
Massa Pell's bedroom He make me
sleep dare, cause he fraid-and sometimes
he talk in his sleep and say be see ghosts:
and den he call me set mp all night wild
candle.n .
Tim here informed the negro Of the cir
cumstances relating to the will-that he
was anxious to obtain possession of it, for
the purpose of having it proved and re-
corded. then it would be put out of old
Pell's power to injure his young mistress
Inn, have SAID before, was a ventrilo-
quist. He explained this to Peter, and
they together formed the project of fright
ening old Pell out of the possession of the
will. 1t was arranged that Tim should
come to the negro's room about twelve
O'clock that night, and their preconcerted
management while there, is now about to
appear.
1t was five minutes of twelve O'Clock.
The night was dark and stormy, and
the wind howled over the branches of the
trees, and creaked the shutters OF the
mansion. Old Pell had retired to his room.
and undressed himself, put on his night
cap, and was busy in mind respecting the
thirty thousand dollars he was to obtain ii
Eliza married Benson. He went to the
safe, and took out the will, read IL over,
and thus solloquized: The jade must be
compelled to submit. or she gets no prop
erry. Here is blank in the will suff-
ciently large to insert what is necessary,
and as drew it originally, it will be the
same hand writing, and never be detected.
So III just insert here. where ii says Eliza
is to become possessed of her property
on her marriage day-'Provided she mar