Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-25
MR.. SMITHS WILL.
lIopdon rrush.l

Mf. Augustus Nav Was such . smar'
young gentleman that his friends ex'
pectsd great things Of him. There Or.
some persons who possess tho knack Of
ipspiring confidence without doing any.
ding 10 warrant It Augustus had
fsjled 70 distinguish himself during his
scholastic career, yet those who knew
him believed In him almost - much o.
b believed in himself. He was brisk,
busting little youth, with Q high
islsetto voice and consequential
manner. lie had worn an eyeglass
and high shirt-collsrs from an early
eye, and at seventeen he would
have argued theology with an arch.
bishop or discussed politics with q
pyime minister. When the time ar
rived for choosing . profession, Au-
gustus unhesitstingly decided in favor
Of the bar. lie had no prediction for
the law, but the career Of barrister
had the great attraction Of leading to
the woolsack. Augustus aimed high,
but his ambition was not out OF proper
ton to his opinion Of his abilities. He
was lured by the prospect Of becoming
Lord Chancellor and Keeper Of the
Queens Conscience.
Aueustus had inherited from his
parents small fortune, which he would
be entitled to receive upon attaining
twenty five. There was no difficulty,
therefore, about raising the premium
which was necessary TO enable him to
have the run Of the chambers OF some
successful counsel. Accordingly, the
aspiring youth was confided TO the care
of Mr.. Retainer, the celebrated equity
drsuehtsmsn and conveyancer, whose
pupils. though depressing in q social
sense, always learned to draw particu-
larly neat pleadiogs and TO turn out
legal instruments calculated to mystiiy
the most intelligent layman.
After q brief experience, Augustus
began to have dim idea that the goal
of his ambition was rather more dill.
cult TO reach than he had anticipated.
He realized that Flooding, hard work,
perseverance, and ceaseless study were
essential ingredients to the success of
his scheme. Now, Augustus was one
of those enterprising youths-there are
many of Thorn about-who are in too
great hurry to make fortune to be
able to give time to honest drudgery.
He did not exactly abandon the hope
of reaching the woolsack, but he re-
solved not to fritter away his abilities
in striving too much for it. lie would
keep it in view as something worth
contending for, but be felt meanwhile
il would be as we'll not to lose any OPP
portunity Of advancement in other d.
rectiops.
Augustus had been very much struck
BY the fact that, in the course Of bust
ness, the private affairs Of g good many
people of wealth and distinction were
revealed to him. lie was naturally Of
an inquisitivs disposition, and he re-
yelled in the surreptitious knowledge
be acquired in this manner. Mr.. Re.
tainer had q large connection among
solicitors Of old standing with rich and
aristocratic clients, and, according to
custom, his pupils were permitted to try
their prentice hands in preparing the
rough drafts Of wills, marriage-settle.
ments, and deeds of various kinds. 1t
was quite tantalizlng to Augustus to
be behind the scenes, as it were, and
to observe the secret disposition OF So
many thousands of pounds without
profting thereby. lie did not see his
way, however, to turn his experiences
to account, but the idea took possession
Of him that in this direction he might
one day make discovery which he
could utilize to bis advantage.
Meanwhile be grew utterly sick aud
tired Of the law long before the wished
for opportunity arrived. But at length
his dropping spirits were revived by
what seemed TO be genuine prospect
of acquiring fortune. One day there
was handed into the pupils room pa
per of written instructions for the will
of . Mr.. John Smith, Of Hildrop Cres-
cent, Camden Town, who was repre-
scented by q well.known firm Of solicit
ors. Mr.. Smith appeared to be a gen.
tleman of considerable wealth, for he
owned whole terraces Of houses in
London, broad acres in the country,
and Stock-ExchaDge investments galore.
attention was attracted
by two circumstances, one Of which
was that this Mr.. John Smith was
neighbor Of his uncle's, with whom he
resided. and the other that the testator
had an only daughter, to whom he had
bequeathed nearly the whole of his
wealth. From the fact that Mr.. John
Smith resided in the unassuming To-
cslity OF Camden Town, it seemed pro-
bable that be was a person of quiet
taste and habits, to whom it would be
easy to obtain an introduction. This
done, thought Augustus, nothing would
be simpler than to ingratiate himself
with the old gentleman, to win the affec-
tious Of his daughter, and to gain both
her hand and her fortune.
To tell the truth, this was not the
first time that Augustus had cherished
designs Of marrying heiresses whose
prospects he had learned in similar
manner. Unfortunately, in previous
cases the ladies had been of exalted
rank and station, which rendered them
unapproachable. Disparity Of station
had not prevented him, however, from
making discreet advances. Like all
mottled-faced, snub-nosed little men,
Augustus considered himself above
everything q lady = killer. When
he discovered that the Lady
Angelina Fitzpowderpuf was the
residuary legatee under the will of
her decrepit old uncle, Lord Towgle-
plate, he had taken immense pains to
have her lsdyship pointed out to HIN,
and had ogled her in the park for a
whole season. Various instances Of
this kind might be recorded Of his en-
terprising nature, but it would be de-
pressing to chronicle series of dismal
failures. Augustus had borne his III
luck with eouanimity, convinced that
II WAS lack Of opportunities alone which
had prevented him from making con.
quests.
in the case OF Miss Smith, however
no obstacles Of an insurmountsble kline
seemed to exist. Augustus, with hi:
native sapguireness, therefore regarded