The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-07-19
THE CLERKS LEGACY.
It Is Inconvenient to Inherit from
Living People.


lot, was electrified one morning by re-
Oeiving 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 rece We the dividends
quarterly. AS the money is invested securely
At eight per cent, this will amount TO four thou
sand dollars annually. send you check for
thousand dollars in advance, supposng 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 contlned TO 81 sal
airy of six hundred dollars Il year.
which. of course. had compelled him 10
live in modest manner.
Fifty thousand dollars, Four thou
sand dollars year. Isn't it glo-
rious? Won't make things hy?@
What do you mean by making
things ay?" inquired his cousin, John
Wallace, who was employed in the
same establishment.
enjoy life. That's what mean"
Don't you enjoy it now?'
How can |. cooped up in this shop
all my time? No, the first thing l
shall do will be to discharge old Fogg
and Millet. My days of slavery are
over"
Il suppose you will go into some
other business?"
Then you suppose wrong. With
an income of four thousand dollars
year | don't need to be tied to bust
ness"
Then you will devote yourself to
some study and cultivate your mind?"
Nothing of the kind. tell you l
mean to enjoy life.''
II hope you within the right way"
"Not in your way. You're too
steady-going for me. My plans are
not arranged, except that shall go to
the Belleville Hotel to board, and next
week give grand blowout in honor
of my inheritance. Will you Gomez"
81 won't promise. Might it not be
more proper, considering Uncle An
thongs recent death. to postpone it?'
Not a bit. didn't know much of
him. | haven't seen him since was u
boy. BY the way, I 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 a very cavalier manner his resigna-
ton of the clerkship which he held.
Il 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 or
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 disinterested
offer
James Wallace lost no time in estab-
fishing himself in handsome rooms at
the Belleville Hotel, which he refur-
nished in costly manner At the end
OF a week he issued invitations for his
grand blowout" as he called it.
About fifteen young men were invited,
his cousin among them. John Wal
lace thought. it might be churlish to
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
morning, 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 idleness that it hung heavi.
ly on his hands. His associates moi
being in independent circumstances
were occupied in the daytime. In tn
evening, however, q coterie gathere,
in his rooms. where wine and cigar
were always provided.
Il shouldn't think your life woult
be very satisfactory" said his Cousin
John to him one day.
Il wouldn't exchange with you al
any rate John"
Yet ! think am happier than
you"
you find your happiness ia siav.
cry and drudgery-f don't" rejoined
James.
I'm what. then?"
"In Independence. and plenty Of
money"
Il am glad if you have plenty OF
money. l suppose you might be ex-
ceeding your income.
We'll. suppose have. Shan't /
have pile coming in at the end of the
yearp"
i am afraid that will only lead to
fresh extravagance on your part
think It win be some time before