Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-02-20

My mlnd is made up, mother" said
young DR.. Delaney, 80 let us enjoy
our breakfast and not spoil our digps-
tions by thinking of the old curmudgeon
who could not even let his eccentricity
die with him, but must dispose of his
fortune in this idiotie manner"
But, my dear Arthur" demonstrated
Mrs. Delaney, lone hundred thousand
dollars is too large sum to refuse with
out much consideration.
1 know that, mother mine, but still
l refuse it, or rather refuse to accept it
with the condition attached to it. Ipre-
fer to choose my own wife"
"Is there no alternativep"
"None."
"What are the exact words of the
letter."
"These," answered Arthur, taking
up a ponderous letter which had been
lying on the table, and reading from it {:
"My dear sir-Now that the estate OF
the late Tobias Queerby is settled, it be-
comes my duty to inform you that he
had imposed a condition upon his be-
quest to you. He beqdeaths to YOU
property to the value of one hundred
thousand dollars, on condition that you
marry Miss Fidelia Fairfax within two
years q after his death. The same
amount has been bequeathed to Miss
Fairfax, and l have this day notified
her that the same condition is attached
to her share of the estate. This condi-
tion was not mentioned in the will, as
it would not have been recognized as
valid by the courts. You need not obey
his request unless you wish, and your
legacy will remain unaffected, but he
charges you and her, as you are upright
and honorable, not to enjoy his hard
earned wealth unless you do as he de-
sired. | enclose copy of the letter to
me asking me to acquaint you with his
desires. by which you will see to what
charitable societies he wished you to
give the money he lett you in case you
do not yield to the conditions imposed
and in case you decide to act as man ol
honor. am, sir, yours, ETC., Greenfield
Kent, attorney for the estate of Tobias
Queerby."
"There" cried Arthur. sis not that
a terrible condition to imposep o.
course | am man of honor and must
yes, must give up this fortune"
F" But one hundred thousand dollars
Arthur, is"
is one hundred thousand dollars.
know. But marriage to one l do moi
care for would be misery for life time
Therefore, as | said before, my mind /.
made up. What! Did he think simpl,
because he was the friend in youth O
father and this Mr.. Fairfax, he can fore,
| their children, who have never seer
each other, to marry whether they low,
or hateP No. Father has left you wei
provided for, mother, and l will soor
get practice, and so | snap my finger
at the old fellows matrimonial scheme
and will make happy halfdozen orphan
asylums, to say nothing of Miss Fairfax
who, though she has never seen me
must detest me as she reads her lette
this morning"
She may be very nice young lady
Arthur mildly suggested Mrs. Delan
cey. "When your father was alive h
often spoke of the pretty girl Mr.. Fair
fax married, and daughters generall
resemble their mothers, you know"
Undoubtedly she is a nice youn
lady, mother, as society ladies are.
dare say she can rattle off the first con
jugation in French, recite Tennyson b
the hour, lead german, tell Just whic
corner of her card to turn down for
call ofcondolence or party call, raw
! about majolica and the art decorative
give the points of a pug, yawn interest
ingly behind fan, extol the opers
write mawkish poems, each one with a
, Envoi and, in short, be a credit TO be
family and the seminary where she wa
graduated. | can see her now," cor
tinuei Arthur, shaking his yellow cur
and laughing. "She considers me {