Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-06-18

cepted bis endcavors alphabetically, seldom
betraying either like or dislike. He seem
cd to regard himself as dead TO the world,
and he set his face resolutely against com.
munion with it. It waswith difficulty that
Gustave persuaded him to receive mes.
sage that came one morning from NJ. Cur.
tots. II is doubtful if any one else could
have won his attention but that name,
connected, as it had been, with all that
Jean had ever held dear, appeared to arouse
him from his apathy.
The message was brief NJ. Courtois
was at the point of death II was Of the
utmost importance that Jean should come
to him at once, to receive a communication
that could be given to his ear only.
" How can go to Natchitoches without
a horse 2" asked Jean, peevisbly.
Take mine, sir" replied the man,
"Ill borrow one at Chovaler's"
Jean mounted the horse without another
word, aud rode away into the forest
The meeting between Jean Turgot and
NJ. Courtois was painful one. NJ. Cour.
tots was in bed, propped up with pillows.
His face, which was very pale, flushed when
Jean entered. He had not expected to see
such wreck.
"Will you take my hand, jean 2" be
asked, family.
jean gave him his hand in silence
"l have wronged YOU" said NJ. Courtois,
foully wronged you, and have met just
punishment. Thapk God it is not yet
too late to make atonement. Can you for
give me?"
jean had felt hurt that his grandlathers
old friend had not come to him in bis
trouble with even word of sympathy
Aside from that, he knew OF nothing to re.
proach him with lie therefore bowed a
cool assent.
+" Mon Dieul" cried Courtois, in an
guish. Z" | have not yet told you. Hear
me, aud if you can then forgive
81 cannot talk much," he continued,
" but | have written it all. Here is a
packet Of papers had prepared to be sent
to you in case you failed to come to-day.
That you may understand what | have to
tell you, first read this. 1t is a communi
cation from your grandfather, written by
me at his request 1t is in my handwrit.
ing, but the signature, you will note, is his"
Jean opened the paper with trembling
hands. 1t was to him like message from
the dead. The firm, bold signature at the
bottom was, indeed, his grandfather's. 1t
was dated the night before he died-the
night that he spent with NJ. Courtois in the
private room. He sat down and read;
"MY DEAR JEAN;-The thought that
this will not reach your eyes until both
your father and are in the grave, renders
the task Of writing it solemn one ; yet
cannot but feel in it certain satisfaction
for | know that what | am about to do will
conduce to your happiness which, above
all things else 10 the world, | have chiefly
at heart.
at is needless to tell you how little of
sympathy there is between your father and
myself His unfortunate disposition and
habits render any confidence between US
impossible. feel that | anu partly to
blame Tor his character, and | have tried
to make some amends by doing for you
what | ought to have done for him. But
let that pass To lament over it now is
useless. | can only hope that there is yet
time to make provision against the possible
results Of my negligence. Your father is
provided for amply in the plantation. Its
income is more than sufficient to supply his
wants and yours during bis life, which,
with his present habits, cannot last long. |
have thought it best, therefore, to lay aside
a large sum for your benefit, to be given to
you on the death Of your father, when you
come into possession of the plantation
This money have put into the charge of
NJ. Jean Baptiste Courtois, in whom have
full confidence, tested through friendship
of years. He it is who will have the graf
ifcation of putting into your hands your
grandfather's last bequest. trust that a
regard for my memory, and the unfortunate
example which your father has set you, will
inspire you to lead an upright life, aud to
make good use of that which iutrust to
you
IN. Courtois will give you other pa
pers, containing details and directions He
has full legal power to act 10 any emer.
gency now unforeseen.
JACQUES TURdor."
Courtois watched Jean with eager eyes
while he read. The humiliation which he
felt in disclosing his perfdy manifested its.
self in great drops Of sweat upon his fore
head. The minutes seemed to him inter-
minable. Would he never end and speak
to him ?
Jean finished the paper at last, and arose,
trembling with emotion. There was some.
thing in his looks that frightened Curtois.
"Well ?" he said with his eyes fixed upon
Jeans gaunt face.
"You stole my money!" bissed Jean
through his teeth, approaching the bedside
with threatening gesture.
"My God no. | have never seen a
dollar of it. would have taken it, but
God and the saints forbade"
"Does this paper lie This paper tells
me, in your own hand writing, that the
money was put into your own hands"
The packet will explain" moaned Cour-
tots. "The gold is buried under the house,
in your grandiathers ROOM"
"And you, knowing this, suffered me to
be driven out like dog -
"Pardon The temptation was too
great"
"What right have you, miserable wretch.
who have blasted my life and made me a
beggar and an outcast, to speak Of pardon 2"
know | have no right to hope Tor it;
| suffer hell's torments now. But listen
while | have strength to speak. When
your father died, the devil Iut il into my
head to buy the plantation and thus secure
the treasure for myself The sale was for cash,
and my means were insufficient but OBJ
tanned by borrowing what 1 thought would
be enough to cover the price, knowing that
the buried money was ample to repay
Lester foiled my plans, aud obtained pos.
session Even then did not resign hope,
but tried to play upon Testers fears, be.
lieying that | could frighten him into
selling the place. My efforts were all in
! vain. | then tried my last resource. l
entered the house one night. with the in.
tcution Of digging up aud removing part Of
the treasure at any risk. The room, knew,
was seldom visited perhaps | could get it
all away without discovery. Lester sur
prised me as | was about to open the door
received ball from his pistol. did
not know | was hit until nearly home, when
| began to feel the loss Of blood Ii was
I