The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-07-12

=~- palu no rent 1Of the
house in which we resided, neither was it
mine; and the money which supported it
came not from my own resources. l will
briefly describe the peculiar nature OF my
private affairs.
My father, for some years Of his life an op.
ulent man, lost his fortune when l was very
young. partly through the treachery of u
friend, partly through uhwise speculation,
and from the day OF his ruin was dependent
upon his wiies brother, gentleman of great
wealth.
Mr.. Wilmot was at onco generous and &c,
centric. He never had any great idea of my
fathers business capacities and it is doing
him no injustice TO say that he was self.willed
and obstinate, and that he entertained the
idea that he should be not only law unto
himself. but to other people as well. 1t was
through his assistance that my father extri-
Gated himself honorably from his business
difficulties. and when they were settled my
uncle refused to re-establsh him.
"You shall have life of ease and happi-
ness" said Mr.. Wilmot' "and shall run no
more risks"
10 this end lee promised my father an in
como sufficiently large 10 maintain the social
standing to which he had boon accustomed.
The promise was faithfully kept. At the end
of every six months sum was placed in the
bank TO my fathers credit, in fulnlment o.
the arrangement; and Mr.. Wilmot, who was
and who remained a bachelor, gave us TO un.
derstand that ut his death we should inherit
the whole OF his wealth. Neither OF my par,
ents lived long enough to enjoy the life OF
luxurious case for which Mr.. Wilmots gener.
osity provided, and 1, their only child re-
manned the sole recipient of his kindness.
He paid literally for my support and educa-
ton; and it was with his concurrence that |
became engaged TO the lady l married. On
that occasion he purchased the little estate
in Sevenoaks, to which took my wife. and
devised it to me in his will, which made me
also his sole heir. Therefore, us will be seen
was entirely dependent upon him during
his lifetime.
There are men who would have found the
position irksome; probably my father did.
l confess that 1 did not. No fears disturbed
me that, by some freak on the part of my
uncle, or by displeasing him, might find
myself suddenly beggared-for to this conji.
ton it was in Mr.. Wilmot's power to reduce
me by stroke OF his pen.
At the time of my daughters engagement
MIR. Wilmot was absent from England, and
had no means of placing myself in oommuni.
cation with him. His habits OF life were q
sufficient indication of the eccentricity OF his
character. He lived life of absolute seclu-
sion, so fart as we were concerned, who would
have gladly welcomed him in our home, and
rejoiced to receive long and frequent visits
from him. We owed all We possessed to him
nnd the unselashness of his generosity In.
sured for him the highest need OF respecl
and esteem. But we saw him very seldom
and, indeed, for the last three years had seen
him not at ALL He was passionately fond OF
travel, and was in the habit of making long
disappearances. During these periods il
was his whim to be troubled by no corre-
spondcnce whatever, either from his friends
or business agents. He wrote to them from
time to time, but never gave an address, nor
would he consent to receive replies from
them except upon matters he deemed of the
highest private importance. All letters for
him were addressed, by request, to firm OF
lawyers in London who conducted his affairs,
and there they accumulated until his return
honn.