Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-01-01
Tales and Sketehes.
4 WELCOME WINDFALL.
lcoN11SuEp FROM YEsrEapAY.1

lcoN1INUED FROM YEsrERDAY.
A year passed slowly away it was the
season once more, but how changed for
the Vivians Charles Vivian might be
seen vending his footsteps daily to Mr.
Andrews office in shabby garments, re-
turning towards evening to the home that
held his earthly treasures-his wife and
child. They had always welcome which
never failed to cheer bis tired and aching
heart
They had little honse of their own
now, as, with baby. lodgings had been
not only ten times more uncomfortable.
but more expensive. It was but poorly
furnished, but even necessary articles for
it had been a heavy item at the time TO de-
fray out of their straitened means.
Often did Alice think of her rich sister,
who, though reveling in luxurics, and
living so near her, never, by word or
deed, acknowledge her existence. Mrs.
Atwood did not know what poverty
meant; she had no conscience therefore,
the claims of her kindred did not trouble
her; and if, by chance. any one inquired
after ''poor Mrs. VIVIAN" she shook her
head ominously, and descanted upon AL.
Ices base ineratitude to herself and Mr..
Atwood, which had precluded the posi-
bility OF further intercourse and she
would throw out vague hints infinitely
damaging to the character Of both her Sis
ter and her brother-in-law, which were
instantly disseminated far and near as au.
thentic facts, by those who heard them.
Her heart was hard, very hard, for once
she saw her sister, saw Alice shabbily
dressed, and looking thin and i'll, whilst
she, child of the same parents, leaned
back in her luxurious barouche and pass
ing the pale wayfarer. looked the other
way Shocked and grieved, Alice reached
home after the rencontre feeling more
worn and exhausted than usual: her baby
was fractions and the day was overpower-
ingly hot. When the evening came and
her husbands welcome figure stood in the
doorway, poor Alice, without rhyme or
reason-so it seemed to him-threw her.
self into his arms and relieved her feel
ings with good cry. He proved very
efficient comforter. and by tea time Alice
meal was ended they went out for quiet
stroll, which was the one pleasure they
could have, for it cost nothing. What
evening walks. what pieces of impossible
good fortune they suggested as possibili-
ties, what things they werc to do if ever
they got rich again, and how differently
they would spend their lives-poor souls
They cheered each other up with Visions
of what certainly seemed highly improba-
BILE events, until some more prosaic SUBJ
ject connected with immediate contingen-
cies dispelled their brilliant imaginings.
They sew little of NJ. Up.oa new nc
had been very busy lately, and though
Charles called occasionally. Alice was too
constantly with her baby to be able to
leave it much sometimes he sent them
fruit, some game or other little delicacies,
and on very rare and unexpected occa-
sions, he visited them. He had been Il
hard working man all his life, and even
now, though he had passed the threescore
and ten years allotted to him, did not re-
lax from his business habits. He lived In
a handsome house in Russell square. soli-
tary and with apparently no interest in
life beyond his chambers in Lincolns Inn:
occasionally he gave dinner parties, and
occasionally dined out; but there John
Cpton's gaieties ended.
He was wonderfully punctual in his
habits. and on his not making his usual
appearance, one morning at nine o'clock.
in lhe dining room, where breakfast wait
ed him, his worthy old housekeeper be-
came alarmed. and proceeded to his bed
room, where she was horror stricken to
find her master lying in his bed stone
dead. "Died from natural causes" was
the verdict at the inquest that followed;
and few days afterwards, in presence
of few friends--Charles Vivian among
the number, and Mr.. Atwood, who "cut"
him without any hesitation-John Upton
was laid in his last resting place.
Who was his heir? Nobody knew; but
1t was supposed that the principal part of
his property was willed away to different
London charities-if will existed.
Doubts and surmises were speedily ended
by Mr.. Wentworth, the lawyer who had
now succeeded to Mr.. Upton's business.
requesting the return of those who had
gone to the funeral to Russell square. to
hear the last wishes OF their departed
friend. BY singular fatality, the same
carriage that conveyed MIR. Vivian back
to Russell square also contained Frederick
Atwood, who resolutely avoided giving
the other the faintest sign of recognition.
The drive soon ended, and very speedily
the servants were summoned 70 join the
assembled guests. to hear the contents OF
the will.
Mr.. Wentworth seated himself, and,
with due formality, producing the docu-
ment, proceeded without preamble to
read the last will and testament of John
Upton. Various legacies were left to bis
seryants-in amount far beyond what they
could have expected-and handsome sums
to each of his executors, of whom isar
were named. aiter that, the rest of his
property, real and personal, he bequeathed
without reserve to the daughters OF his de-
ceased friend. Miles Annesley-Clara At
wood and Alice Vivian, for their sole and
separate use, free from the debts and en-
gagements of their husbands; to be in
vested-and here followed many business
like and careful dctails-after which came
the signature, Witnessed and dated, in
TcoNcLupEp on FOURTH PAGs.l