Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-06-06
THE CLERKS LEGACY.
It L. Inconvenient to Inherit from
Living People.

James Wallace. salesman in the
dry goods store of Messrs. Fog & Mill
let, was electrified one morning by re-
.ceiving the following letter:
SIR: In accordance with the provisions of the
will of my late client, Mr.. Anthony Wallace,
am directed to inform you that you have fallen
= heir to the sum OF fifty thousand dollars, NOT
payable, however, till the end OF the year. In
the meantime, you will receive the dividends
quarterly. AS the money is invested. securely
eight per cent. this will amount to four thou
sand dollars annually. send you check Tor
a thousand dollars in advance, supposing That
you may find its present use desirable. Yours
respectfully, JOHN PODD, Attorney at Law.
The delight of James Wallace in re-
.ceiving this epistle may be imagined.
Hitherto he had been confined to sal
ary of six hundred dollars a year,
which, of course. had compelled him to
live in modest manner.
Fifty thousand dollars! Four thou
sand dollars a year! Isn't it glo-
riousp Won't make things fy?"
What do you mean by making
things fiyP" inquired his cousin. John
Wallace, who was employed in the
same establishment.
enjoy life. That's what 1 mean"
Don't you enjoy it now?"
allow can l, cooped up in this shop
all my time? No, the first thing I
shall do will be to discharge old Fogg
and Millet. My days of slavery are
over"
81 suppose you will go into some
other businessP"
.sThen you suppose wrong. With
year | don't need to be tied to bust
ness"
Then you will devote yourself to
some study and cultivate your mindp"
Nothing of the kind. I tell you
mean to enjoy life"
Il hope you within the right way"
''NOt in your way. You're too
steady-going for me. My plans are
not arranged, except that l shall go to
week give grand blowout in honor
of my inheritance. Will you Gomez"
II won't promise. Might it not be
more proper, considering Uncle An
thongs recent death, to postpone it?'
''Not bit. 1 didn't know much Of
him. 1 haven't seen him since was a
boy. BY the way. l wonder he didn't
leave you something"
''He had right to dispose of his
property as he pleased"
well, if you don't complain, don't.
That is certain"
James Wallace lost no time in wait
ing upon his employers, and rendering
in very cavalier manner his resigna-
tion of the clerkship which he held.
II congratulate you. Mr.. Wallace,
on your prospects," said Mr.. Fogg.
IF you should determine to go into
business for yourself, Mr.. Millet and
myse will be glad to assist you with
any advice in the selection of goods OF
on other points.
II shall not GO into business" said
the young man. II have had enough
of it."
This was all the satisfaction his en-
ployers received for their disintereste6
offer
James Wallace lost no time in estab
fishing himself in handsome rooms al
the Belleville Hotel, which he refur
nished in a costly manner. At the enc
OF a week he issued invitations for hi:
--'grand blowout" as he called it.
About fifteen young men were invited
his cousin among them. John Wal
lace thought it might be churlish tC
refuse, and accordingly accepted the
Invitation, but withdrew at half-past
ten o'clock, finding the entertainment
fast degenerating into drunken revel
The remainder kept it up till nearly
moening. and few of them were in any
condition for business the next day.
james Wallace. being under no such
necessity, did not rise till two o'clock
in the afternoon.
AS might be expected, his bill for
furniture added to the expense of his
entertainment, consumed entirely the
thousand dollars which had been sent
:him-and all this in ten days. How
ever. the fact of his Inheritance being
known, he found no difficulty in OBJ
tanning credit any where.
Having been accustomed to having
his time fully employed. he found in
his present idieness that it hung heavi-
ly on his hands. His associates not
being in independent circumstances,
were occupied in the daytime. In the
evening. however. a cOterie gathered
in his rooms, where wine and cigars
were always provided.
Il shouldn't think your life would
be very. satisfactory" said his Cousin
John to him one day.
II wouldn't exchange with you al
any rate. john"
..Yet think I am happier than
you"
s'You find your happiness in slav.
cry and drudgery-I DON'T" rejoined
James.
s.In what. then?"
"In independence. and plenty 81
money"
SCI am glad if you have plenty o
money. suppose you might be ex
ceedlng your income.
..Well. suppose 1 have. Shan't
have a pile coming in at the end of tn.
year?"
..I am afraid that will only lead t.
fresh extravaganza on your part