St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-12-13

Lawrence. L nave observed that the
house you at present live in is not alto
gether commodious"
"How very kind and generous you
are !" exclaimed the cousins in concert.
:'Not at all. am only influenced by
the selfish desire to get rid of business
care. Besides, am going to saddle you
with myself in return. If you take the
property you must take care of me.
propose to live with each of you six
months during the year, and as shall
need to repair the defects in my ward
robe, will trouble each of you for an
annual allowance of one hundred dol
lars, which will suffice for my moderate
wants.n .'"
sit is the least we can do for you,' y
said the lawyer. "But why not make
the allowance larger P .. ...
eff | need more, my dear fellow,
know you will be perfectly willing to
give it. But trust the sum mentioned
will suffice. And, by the way, these
stipulations have mentioned do not
care to reduce to writing. l trust i'm
plicitly to your generosity. prefer to
make a free gift of the property to
you"
The cousins poured out fervent pro-
testations of their gratitude and affec-
tion, and congratulated themselves on
the prospect of their dear Cousins socie-
ty for six months in the year.
Mr.. MOrton-goOd easy man as he
was-believed them implicitly, and
when they had left the house, the trans
fer having been effected, said to the
lawyer:
"There, Burdick, do you not feel
ashamed of your suspicious ? Confess
now, how far wrong you are"
"Just wait awhile" was the lawyers
wary reply, 81 have seen nothing tO
demonstrate the futility of my suspi-
cions as yet. We will, if you please
velOp."
Mr.. Morton grew almost angry with
his friend, for what he styled his absurd
suspicious, but being a good natured
man, quickly recovered from his mo-
mentary irritation.
1t was arranged that Mr.. Morton was
to alternate between the two houses
every three months; spending the first
three with Thomas Lawrence, who had
received the estate. AT first he was
treated with great consideration, and
regarded as the master of the house, al
though he had given it up. AS week fol-
lowed week, the attention diminished
but not sufficiently to be marked.
AT the house of the lawyer, Mr.. Nor
ton at first met with considerabl atten-
ton, but in course of time his wishes
came to be less studied. At one time
In ~
York, Mr.. Morton was asked to give up
his room to them, and take much
smaller and more iuconveuient one
Mrs. Temple apOiogized in father 4
lame way, when the old gentleman fix
ed his eye steadily upon her, but pre-,
sisted in her requistiOn.
He yielded without word. At the
close of his stay with the lawA er, he ap-
piled for portion of the annual sun
WHICH his cousin had agreed to furnis
for his occasional expenses.
at isn't convenient nOw," said the
lawyer carelessly.
''The sum is only fifty dollars SAID
Mr.. Morton significantly.
81 dare say my cousin will Obligt
you," returned the lawyer. "At present
have just made an investment, an(
can't well do it."
Mr.. Morton turned away, but said
nothing.
He made similar application t'
Thomas Lawrence, who with an air o
reluctance handed him half the amount
saving he would let him have the res
before long.
On returning to his old home. he wa
assigned room in the third story, ant
when he offered little remonstrance
was put off with a shabby excuse.
Slowly the old gentleman awakened
to the conviction that his cousins were
ungrateful men of the world, who's,
courtesy and friendliness had all van
ished with the idea that he had it nj
longer in his power to he of service t.
them.
AT this time it chanced that very
pretty estate was offered for sale in tn,
village. A cOmmOdious and tasteful
dwelling, with well-arranged grounds
and few acres of excellent land, form
ing one of the most desirable residence
in town was offered for five Thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Morton privately authorized hi
lawyer to purchase it, already furnish
ed, admitting that he made mistake il
trusting to the magnanimity of hi
cousins.
The purchase being made, and th
dwelling being ready for occupation
Mr.. Morton said, one morning at tn
breakfast table:
"You will oblige me by having m,
things removed to the room [ formerl
noonniaH in fha caonpI ctar,, on, tive,
of going up two pairs of stairs.n
81 can't O6lige you in that" said Mrs
Lawrence, coldly. .'The room is other
wise occupied"
"Do you refuse me the apartment
desire in the house gave you ?" aske,
Mr.. Morton in some heat. "Thomas, d.
you support your wife in this ?"
"My wife is the best judge of thes
Matters" said his cousin, frigidly.
''In that case L shall leave your hOus
this morning." said Mr.. Morton.
"Just as you like,n sneered Mrs. Law
renee, "but apprehend you will scarce
ly find your cousin Temple glad to Sc
you" -. .....
81 shall not go there" said the oil,
gentleman.
"Where, then 2" inquired Mrs. Law
renee in surprise.
''1o the Hwsey place ,ohich 1 haze patr
chased" was the startling reply.
"What ~ exclaimed Thomas Law
renee, in CONSERVATION. "Did you no
give up all your property to us ?"
81 should have done so,n said MI
Morton. ''but for the wise counsel of m
good friend Burdick. He foresaw wha
would happen, and by his advice, 1 re
served as much, or more, than / CAV
up"
"My dear sir," said Mr.. Lawrence
''pray don't leave us. You shall hav
the room you desire, and be our honore
| guest. You don't know how we shn]