The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-12-26

announcement.
Robert Morton continued: | want 4
treat you IS nearly alike IS possible
having no reason TO prefer one above th'
other have some ten thousand dollar
ia mortgages, which ! will transfer {,
you, cousin Temple. Your legal eduea
lion will enAble yon TO take good care o
them. The assessors tell me that this es
tate is worth about as much, and this
will make over to you, cousin Lawrence.
have observed that the house you q
present live in Is not altogether oommo
dious.
How very kind and generous you are
exclaimed the cousins in concert,
Not al all, am only Influenced by thl
selfish desire to get rid Of business care.
Besides, am going to saddle you with
myself Ia return. IL you take the proper
ty you must take care of me. propose
to live with each OF you six months dur.
ing the year, aud as shall need to repair
the defects 10 my wardrobe, will trouble
each of you for an annual allowance oI
one hundred dollars, which will suffice
Tor my moderate wants.
Ii is the least we can do for you, said
the lawyer. But why not mske the al
lswance largerI
II need more, my dear fellow, know
you will be perfectly willing to give II.
But trust the sum mentioned viii
suffice. And, by the way, these stipula'
tions ! have mentioned do not care 70
reduce to writing. trust implicitly to
your generosity. prefer 10 make free
gift OF the property TO you.
The cousins poured out fervent protes.
tations of their gratitude and affection,
and congratulated themselves on the
prospect of their dear cousins society for
six months in the year.
Mr.. Morton--good easy man as he was
believed them implicitly, aud when
they bad left the house, the transfer hav.
ing been effected, said TO the lawyer;
There, Burdick, do you not feel
ashamed of your suspicions2 Confess,
now, how far wrong you are.
just wait a while, was the lawyers
wary reply, ! have seen nothing to dem
onstrstc the futility of my suspicious as
yet. We will, if you please, wait and
see what the future shall develop. IN
Mr.. Morton grew almost angry with
his friend, for what be styled his absurd
suspicious, but being good natured man
quickly recovered from bis momentary
irritation.
II 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. Al first he was treat
ed with great consideration, and regard
ed as the master of the house, although
he had given ii up. AS week followed
week, the attention diminished, but not
su tiiciently to be marked.
AZ the house of the lawyer, Mr.. Morton
at first met with considerable attention,
but in course of time his wishes came to
be less studied. AT one time, when
some company arrived from New York,
Mr.. Morton was asked TO give up his
room TO them, and take much smaller
and more inconvenient one. Mrs. Temple
spologized In rather a lame way, when
the old gentleman fixed his eye steadily
upon her, but persisted iD her requisition.
He yielded without word. AT the
close of bis stay with the lawyer, he APP
piled for portion of the annual sum
which bis cousin bad agreed to furnish
for bis occasional expenses.
IS isn't convenient now, said the law
yer carelessly.
The sum is only fifty dollars, said Mr..
Morton, significantly.
dare say my cousin will oblige you,
returned the lawyer. AT present ! have
just made an Investment, and can't well
do il.
Mr., Morton turned away, but said
nothing.
lie made similar application to Thos.
Lawrence, who with an air OF reluctance
handed him halt the amount, saying be
would let him have the rest before long.
On returning TO bis old home, be was
assigned room In The third story, and
when be offered little remonstra nee,
was put of with shabby excuse.
Slowly the old gentleman awakened 10
the conviction that his cousins were nn.
grateful men Of the world, whose courtesy
and friendliness had all vanished with
the idea that he hail II no longer In his
power TO bs OF service to them.
At this time II chanced that very
pretty estate was offered for sale In the
village. A commodious aud tasteful
dwelling, With well-srranged grounds,
and q lew acres of excellent land, form.
ing one Of the most desirable residences
In town was offered for five thousand
dollars.
Mr.. Morton privately authorized bis
lawyer to purchase ii, already furnished,
admitting that be made a mistake in
trusting to the magnanimity Of bis
cousins.
The purchase being made, and the
dwelling being ready for occupation, Mr..
Morton sold, one morning st the break
fast table:
You will obIige me by having my
things removed 10 the room ! formerly
occupied In the second story. am tired
OF going up two pair OF stairs.
| esnt oblIge you IN that, said Mrs..
Lawrence, coldly The room il other
wise occupied.