The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-04-12
nv LEGACY.

CHAPTER I.
Our little town of Gossipton was In q
state of unusual commotiOn. Knots of
people were standing at various corners,
evidently discussing subject of vssG i'm
portance. The fact was this: the eccen.
trio and somewhat miserly Jacob Braid.
wood, whose wealth was supposed to be
fabulous, had died few days ago. and
this was the day of his funeral. well,
what then: That surely is nothing ex-
traordinary." All, but after the funeral
the will was to be opened and read, and
public curiosity was excited to its highest
pitch. A hundred thousand, two hundred
thousand, half million-each and all of
these sums were positively reported to
have been left, and the fortunate legatees
as positively named; but, in truth, moth
ing really could be learnt till after the
funeral, which my little sister and now
watched passing our windows. Then we
equipped ourselves for our afternoon
walk, and set out. passing in our route
several groups of people, and also several
houses, the closed windows and carefully
drawn down blinds Of which looked the
personifcatiOE of decorous woe. These
houses belonged to various distant rela-
tives of the deceased, who evidently ex-
pected good share of the fabulous for
tune
Lefty and I walked on, wishing that
we. too. could look for a legacy; but, as
that was out of the question, we dismissed
the subject, and enjoyed our walk. Re-
turning home, We chose road which
would save our passing through SO many
streets; consequently we saw few people
but, just as We had almost reached our
home, We met Mr.. Brown, the rich corn
merchant. whose wife was third cousin
of Jacob Braidwood's and to whom rumor
had assigned large legacy. As usual,
We bowed politely, but, in return, re-
ceivcd only distant nod, and a scowl d.
" How cross Mr.. Brown looked at you,
Nelly" said Lefty. "What can he the
matter with him: Oh, it is the will,
Nelly" she suddenly added; he has not
got any money"
But that needn't make him scowl at
me in that way" said 1, still indignant at
the frown.
On entering our own little parlor we
found my father and mother in close con-
versation, which they suddenly broke off
on our entrance. looking at each other and
then at us in rather an embarrassed man.
ner. Then my father said, apparently with
an effort, " Nelly, have news for you"
News for me, papa? hope it is
good news" said 1. Netting is wrong.
surelys"
mo, dear; nothing wrong" he re-
piled. ut is this: Mr.. Braidwood has
left you legacy"
Left me q legacy, papa-me" I ex-
claimed. "Why, never spoke to him.
1t must be q mistake. Surely you are
joking, papa"
"Wcll, my child. it seems correct
enough" said my father. "But 1 fear
you will be little hurt at the terms it is
bequeathed in. Mr.. Reynolds, who was
old Jacobs lawyer, showed me the will,
and have copied the part of it concern
ing your legacy; Shall read it to you,
or will you read it yourself"
Read it, please, papa" said I. 'sBut
thing very bad of me, can he.
my dear Nelly" said nv mother,
there is nothing to hurt you much. Mr..
BraidwoOd had not very refined feelings,
and was very plainspoken; but you are
sensible, Nelly, and won't mind"
After all this preamble I felt quite ner-
vous
"Well, Nell," said my father, "hcre it
is; we won't keep you any longer in
suspense" My father then read as fol.
lows: ~ give and bequeath to Ellen
Warner the sum of twenty five thousand
dollars, because she is the daughter of an
honest man, and because she is so ugly
that she will never get husband; and,
furthermore, as some needy rogue might
marry her for the sake of this legacy, l
stipulate that if the said Ellen Warner
marries any one with an income of less
than three thousand dollars a year, the
said twenty five thousand dollars are to be
restored 10 my heir"
What woman could confess that such
words did not give her q pangs always
had known that was plain but to hear
it thus broadly stated without any soften
ing, was shock. However l soon re-
covered from it, and said, gayly:
Mamma, l am very much obliged TO
was ugly, and ] always wished for some
mine! and csn do what / like with it p
the reality of my wealth now striking me
very forcibly.
"Of course. Nell, you cannot touch the
principal just now" he replied; but the
interest is yours, sod you can soon begin
to enjoy it. Mr.. Braidwood has been very
thoughtful; he has left You shares in the
Great American Mineral Company, which
will be transferred TO you, 90 that you will
have no trouble in investing your money"
"Oh, how nice - said I; !" then, mamma,
We will get . pony carriage for you; you
know the doctor said Il would make YOU
quite strong If you could drive every day;
and Lefty shall gU TO school, and We will
get new drawing-room carpet; and you
and mamma, will have new silk dresses.
and mine shall be bright blue"
Fifty other bright visions floated through
my excited brain. when my father, kiss
ing me, said, Well, Nell, / congratulate
you on your legacy; hut with all these
schemes, you will soon spend IL. We
will talk it over, dear, when you have had
time to think about it." And 20 saying
he left the room.
Oh, mamma" said I, "I am glad
now; think it was kind of Mr.. Braid.
wooa 70 ,esve me the money because he
S snougns would not get married; for you
Know, msmme, 1t is true I am plain.'
You have the best and kindest face IN
the world to me, dear" said nv mother
land have been my greatest comfort n ali
our years Of poverty; and, thoush NJ r..
Brailwood's words about you are har,iIv
polite, think with you that he was verv
kind in leaving you the money. He knew
your fathers embarrassment, and th.t
there could not be much provision for Won.
l know, dear, 1t has always wei9hed
heavily on your fathers mind, that ii his
peculiar circumstances there could be so
little provision made for you and Letty.
and this money will relieve him Of thai
anxiety; that is to say, Nelly" she con-
tinued, smiling, eff you arc not too proud
10 take money that has been left YOU -
because l am ugly, mammal said I.
On, no, l am not too proud; and, be.
side, think. q all that the money win Do.
always Mtshe9 Tor sone, bue ceftainly
did mot expect it. But tell me IN 6bodl
the will. mamma, and who gets the rest
Of the money, snd how much there Is. -