The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-03-04
How I Lost a Legacy.

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How I Lost a Legacy.
NY Aunt Bramley often declared that
if there was one thing in young man oi
which she disapproved above all others,
it was staying out late at night. To this
immoral practice she attributed every
temptation to evil and vice by which the
youth of our country are assailed; and
she never alluded to the subject without
emphatically declaring her determination
not to leave cent of her money to either
of her three nephews who might be ad-
dicted to late hours from home.
Now, I being one of the expectant
three in question-the others were my
brother Tom and cousin Dick-it behooy-
ed me to be exceedingly circumspect
whenever happened to be within obser-
vation of Aunt Bramley. Her eyes and
ears were sharp. and, if ever 7 chanced
to come in moment after our family
had retired for the night, I was sure to
hear some caustic allusion to it the next
morning, at breakfast.
Nothing could convince her that l had
not been to the theatre, or to gaming
or drinking-saloon, or other disreputable
place; and she would observe significant
.ly that, for her part; she would rather
see money sunk. in the sea than thrown
away on such wicked amusements.
I might have resented these reflections,
only that could not afford, by offending
Aunt Bramley, to lose my expected FIVE
thousand dollars. That sum would 60
a great way in helping me to begin life /;
and had already cherished visions of a
lovely gothic cottage whose presiding
spirit was to be fair, dark-eyed and
highspirited girl, whom I knew by the
name of Juliet Keeling.
She had been boarding-school friend
of my cousin Emma Dicks sister), and
Emma had taken great delight in inter
esting us in each other, up to the point
of an exchange of photographs and al
bum verses.
Emma iwho, with Dick, resided with
us) was now daily expecting visit from
her friend-an event to which I looked
forward with trembling yet confident de-
light, rs destined to lead to the realiza-
ton of all my romantic hopes of love and
happiness.
On Tuesday-the day appointed for
Miss Keeling's arrival-I was promptly
at the depot to meet the four o'clock
train, but, in place of the fair Juliet, was
confronted by my Aunt Bramley.
It was her custom to run up to town,
occasionally, in this unexpected way; and
never had her visit been, to me, so illtimed,
for it so happened that, just now, great
actor was starring through the country,
and, though was by no means addicted
to theatre e-going, I felt that not even for
Aunt Bramley could I give up the antici-
pated treat of seeing him. In fact, Tom
and had already purchased tickets.
Tom, however, after some reflection,
concluded to dispose of his ticket at half
price to Dick, who had not been partica.
larly anxious to 60. Tom knew that
Aunt Bramley would expect him home,
so he decided that he could not in pru-
dence absent himself.
AS to Dick, he explained to Aunt
Bramley about having to sit up with a
sick friend; while I, on rising from the
table, remarked upon what.a very inter-
esting lecture We were expecting at the
Young Mems Association Rooms, and
hinted about my vote being necessary at
the monthly meeting of the missionary
society.
Aunt Bramley looked approvingly at
me over her spectacles, while Tom was
taken with distressing fit ofcoughing aud
choking. As I put on my over-coat in
the hall, I heard her recommending to
him gargle ofsage-tea and honey.
I found Dick waiting outside, and to-
gether we went on our way to the theatre.
At the close of the performance we fell
in with our friend Ballard, who insisted
upon our going with himself and
Charley Fades to his boarding-house
rooms, where we had an impromptu sup
per of welsh-rabbit, with something
wherewith to wash it down. Then Fades
produced from his pocket pack of cards,
with which We amused ourselves for an
hour or so; occasionally resorting to the
bottle, which remained on the table.
By degrees We grew merry. Fades
sang song, and Dick executed with
much grace and agility an Irish jig.
This innocent recreation was broken
upon by sharp treble rap at the door:
'"Great mosesw muttered Ballard; "it's
Mrs. Simpson,
Suddenly sweeping the pack of cards
from the table, he dropped them into
the yawning pocket of my over-coat,
which happened to be conveniently near,
while Fades thrust the half-fill bottle
into Dicks coat-pocket. This was scarce
ly effected, when there appeared in the
doorway the apparition of a vinegary fe-
male countsnance, surmounted by huge
white cap-frill, relieved by cluster OF
red flannel curl-papers. -.
"Mr. Ballard, sir" said this apparition
with extreme politeness, "excuse the in
trusion, sir, but I would be extremely
obleedged to be informed whether it is
your intention to bring down the roof OF
this house over the boarders' heads"
"By no means, Mrs. Simpkins. l was
only enjoying myself with my friends
here. Permit me to introduce you. Mr..
Job Brown, late missionary to the Chick
a-chow Indians-he was just illustrating
an Indian war-dance; and the Reverend
Mr."
Here Mrs. Simpkins' frill and curl-pa-
pers suddenly disappeared.
II beg your pardon, I'm sure," she
said, in some confusion. 81 was only
wishing to know what time it was, as our
clock has run down"
At this very moment, a neighboring
clock struck twelve. In our preoccupa.