The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-08-10
The Legacy Hunters.

1t was Abigail Varley's three score
tenth birthday. She was rich widow
childless, and with no known relative
save two gentlemen cousins.
Never were cousinly attachments NOR
beautifully illustrated, or cousinly jeal
ousy smiably exemplifed, than in th
daily talk and conversation Of these tw,
collateral kinsmen They bestowed ST
much affection on their common relativ,
that they had pone to waste betweeI
themselves
Both were several years younger thar
the lady. with fair prospect. according
to the course Of nature, Of surviving her
and how to surplaut each other 10 bel
will, which, at last, she had begun TO tall
seriously Of making, was the problem
which st present engaged th,i, attention
Ou the morniug in question, whel
Cousin Roger called TO wi-b Cousin Abi
gail the usual many happy returns" he
was not little chagrined to find Cousin
Dick there before him However, be
presented bis ssuual git and wen
through his annual speech without miss
ing a word aud seeing Tabby the cousin
y cat, perched suugy ou his rivals knee
by way of not being outdone in cousiuly
attention, he took up Pompey, the cous.
inly poodle. though dogs were his abom
inatiou.
"Well. Cousin Abigail. | hope your
l., LII. ,o,,,;,,o, oooI so;J D.,,.;.. ID -.
cr, psttipr Poupeys head. aud glanciue
suspiciou,lv at Cousin Dick, whom he de-
voutly wished ut Jericho.
"No.nor SO good latterly as it has been
The fact i-," the old lady continued, 81
have been thinking seriously OF sending
for Mr. Parker. with view Of settling
my worldly affairs without delay"
20, there is no need of haste. cousin,
broke 10 Dick you have many years be
fore you yet y mentally adding what
has possessed the old ninuy to put it of
so long,"
well, well, | suppose there is DC
hurry about it," said cousin Abigail.
"Aud yet" cousin Roger ventured tc
hint. "ii's always well to be prepared
none Of US can tell the mioute or the hour
you know"
"And after all, calling in lawyer i.
not SO serious a matter as calling in 6
DOCTOR" said cousin Dick, facetiously.
The conversation was interrupted by
the entrance of young and beautiful
girl. at whom cousin Dick stared with 0
surprised and troubled look.
Pardon me, ma'am," she said in Q
voice remarkably sweet and gentle. "no,
knowing that you were engaged. | camt
to see if you wished meas usual. to reat
to you today ?"
Presently, DEAR" Mrs. Varley an
swered, in a tone that plainly hinted hel
visitors would not be pressed to stay i
they offered to GO
After an awkward pause the two cous
ins rook their departure together.
"Who is that girl ?" inquired Roger.a
soon as they had reached the street
"You may as well ask" said cousil
Dick ; and stopping, whispered something
in bis companions ear, at whi,h the lat
ter started suddenly
GOOD heaven the resemblance is Ger
tainly striking. But what is to be done
Do you think the old-cousin Abigail.
mean--suspec.s anyth'ng2"
mot yet, think ; but no time is t.
be lost | have plan which it woul,
be well for US to talk over together"
The two hurried rapidly along.
Mrs. Varley had occasionally foun
time hang heavily on her hands, and s
had advertised for person to fill tn
the post of companion" to an aged lady
1t was thus that Hester Darling had be
come an inmate OF the house.
At as early an hour as was seemly o
the morning following that on which W
introduced them to the reader, Roge
and Dick again presented themselves b
fore their cousin
1--WE have thought it our duty, cousi
-" began Dick.
"Our bounden duty" put in Roger.
"As painful as it is imperative" Die
continued.
ITO put you on your guard. ma'am
Roger added.
against a deceitful and designin
person" exclaimed Dick.
"Who is no better than she should be
) shouted Roger. Indignantly.
Upon my word, cousins. do n,
comprehend syllable you have uttered
said Mrs Varley "nor shall l be like
to, if you both keep talking at ono
Come, Dick, you seem the least excite,
what is the meaning of all this 2"
"What means. may venture to ask
said Dick, "did you take to ascertain Il
character and antecedents of the your
woman at present sheltered beneath yo'
roof2"
Why. none,' replied the good o
lady. "Her young and truthful ia
was recommendation enough on which
give her a trial"
1--WE have ascertained her to be mo
! abandoned creature" proceeded Die
, "and have deemed it proper at once
r. -