The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-08-11
THE UNOLE'S LEGACY.
BY WILLIAM COMSTOCK.

I'LL oNShh A2uoS4s
-
BY WILLIAM COMSTOCK.
Our village, like villages in general,
contained an eccentric old gentleman.
His name was Pease; and, as he wore
green spectacles. irreverent persons
were accustomed to designate him by
the name of "Green Peas" Notwith-
standing the fact that he had some
whimsical notions, he was very we'll
disposed man, and. in so far as his
rather limited means permitted, he was
generous to the poor.
But he had one nephew, a bright
enough little lad. who was prone to mis-
chief. Being of very lively and active
disposition, little Arthur liked to play
tricks upon testy persons. and upon his
Uncle Pcasc in particular.
As he grew older Arthur grew wiser.
and by the time he had reached his six
teenth year he was remarked for his
manly behavior and his intelligence.
But Arthur's reformation came too late
to prevent a catastrophe to his uncle
which he deplored to the end of his life.
He had been delighted, on a certain &C.
casion, to see his uncle jump and hear
him storm on account of sharp darn
ing-ncedle that the lad had slyly thrust
into his leg.
Tho accident had serious cOnso-
quences. The wound was difficult to
heal. and, finally the uncle was obliged
To have his leg amputated.
1t may well DO believed that, after
that. Arthur played no more tricks on
anybody, and that the uncle could never
again endure the presence of his nephew.
Arthur was about fifteen years of age
when "Green Peas removed to the
city. and, entering upon new business,
which proved very successful, was, in
few years, acknowledged by all to be a
rich man.
Arthur heard of his uncle's good for
tune, but with the same indifference
that the other villagers heard Of it, as
he regarded it, rs 4 matter of course,
that the wealth of "Green Peas" would
never do him any good.
Although Arthur was. at this time. an
orphan, he never dreamed that his uncle
would so far forget the loss of leg as
to line the pockets of the youth who
had caused its loss.
Yet, sometimes Arthur's regret for his
uncle's calamity was not wholly OF a
disintcrested nature; especially when, on
pleasant afternoon in May, he stood
upon u little knoll in tho outskirts of
the village, and looking across the creek.
which flowed by its foot. he watched
clump of trees on the rising ground be-
You'd and got glimpse of a snow-white
dress partly hidden by the early spring
verdure Us it fitted by the open windows
of a neat, pink-colored cottage which
was shaded by the foliage.
There, indeed, dwelt Lucinda W,
very pretty girl, who had recently
fallen heir TO one thousand dollars. So
much tho worse for Arthur, who had
previously evinced a fancy for Lucinda,
while his attentions to the young lady
had not been SO marked as To give him
q claim to urge his suit now without, US
he imagined, rendering him liable to the
suspicion of loving the thousand dollars
more than he loved their owner.
But such suspicion would have been
very unjust TO Arthur. who really loved
Lucinda with his whole heart, and his
passion was fully returned by the young
lady. although she was woman enough
to veil that secret closely until the youth
should declare his love to her.
And now it was that Lucinda had
some misgvings about the young mans
intentions, since he seemed to have been
less assiduous of late than he had FORM
erlv been. The true reason never &C.
Cured to her. She had always heard
that men had no objection to come into
the possession of money, even it it was
found to be i'm the hands of the woman
they took for better or for worse.
While Arthur thus hesitated. and Luz
cinda thus doubted, the tidings were
brought to the village that the uncle.
sGreen Peas" was attacked with the
dropsy and could live but few weeks
longer, and it was privately commune
Gated to Arthur that his uncle would
leave him q handsome legacy; and, final
ly, the lawyer who had drawn up the
uncle's will made known this fact not
only to Arthur, but to the whole village
also.
Arthur felt no more scruples about
urging his suit to Lucinda; but while he
was cOgitating in his mind how he could
best open his mind to her he received q
visit from the village schoolmaster.-
The youth was not surprised at that.
for, ever since his good fortune had be-
come publicly known. many persons
who had previously passed him without
deigning to honor him with a nod, had
suddenly discovered that he was lad
of excellent promise and had shown q
disposition to cultivate his acquaint-
| ance.
Therefore, although the schoolmaster
was very proud and important young
| gentleman, whose father was minis
| ter, Arthur regarded his visit as no more
than what might have been naturally
The schoolmaster, however, did not
so far forget his own dignity rs to hide
the fact from Arthur that he had called
for the purpose Of offering him O little
good advice.
II have heard Of the change In your
prospects," said the tutor.
so supposed" answered the youth,
without in the least perceiving the sar-
casm contained in his words.
..You must be sensible" continued
the man of learning, .that common
prudence sometimes requires change
in our plans when there has been
change in our condition"
II suppose there is something in
that" replied Arthur. much wondering
what his visitor was driving at.
Zone should have an eye to his posi-
ton in society and the credit OF his
family"
Certainly" said Arthur.
"Just SO. ! am glad to find that you
are sensible of it. Let me tell you, in
confidence, that Miss Augusta F.
daughter or Mr.. F., who owns the
factory and much other property. ha'
spoken of you as a young man Of fine
talents"
"Of mep" cried Arthur. ~ had no
supposed that she knew anything abou
me-"
"Oh, yes. Her father, of course, knew
all about your uncle, and that naturally
led to conversation about you, and a
you are his only relative now living
much speculation arose as to whethe
| xour uncla would not do the bandsom,