San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-02-26
MY INHERITANCE.

"If Mr.. Frank Heathcote Will call on
Messrs. Pounce, Parchment & Co., Old
Square, Lincoln's Inn, he will hear something
to his advantage" This brief note in legal
hand astonished me, the above named Frank
Heathcote, one morning on sitting down to
modest breakfast To hear of anything to
my advantage was surprising and delightful,
as | was unfortunately one of the unem-
ployed, with little expectation of something
turning up.
An hour or two later saw ME searching in
Lincon's Inn for the offices of Pounce G.
Co. On finding the house duly presented
myself. Mr. Pounce had not arrived but
would step in and see Mr. Parchment The
lawyer did not belle his name, for have
seldom seen so dry and yellow looking man.
On presenting my note Mr.. Parchment sur
veyed me in silence for few minutes. 80
you are the nephew of the late Mr.. Horace
Odcastle, young gentleman, presume"
| replied had that honor.
ALLOW me to congratulate you on your
good fortune" said the lawyer witbsa Turk
ing smile Opening desk, he produced the
copy of a will, by which my lamented uncle
left me HerEmere Place, an old hall in Sus-
sex, on condition that | should occupy it.
.
formation respecting this propertyp
1.-THE hail." replied the lawyer, sis an in
teresting place from an artists point of view,
but the situation is just a trile secluded; and
the building is, | am afraid, little out of
repair; but small outlay would render it
habitable, and doubtless you will soon get
over the loneliness"
Being furnished with the necessary creden-
ole ploop
was some five or six miles from the nearest
railway station; So having my effects packed
in knapsack, thought | might as well
walk that distance. The way lay along a
beautiful bend of the South Downs. After
climbing a long gradual ascent that wound
round spur of the Downs, reached the
summit. The view that opened out was wild
and splendid. Long slopes Of flower span
gled turf alternated with dense patches of
furze, while on every side the ground rose
and fell in wave like sweils.
soon came to the rusty gates of Hernmere
Place. The house was of brick, in the Tudor
st-'e, from the signs of decay, evidently of
great a.sr. A moss covered buttressed wall
extended ON both sides of the gate and shut
in the front of the house completely.
Entering, | came to what had once been
The path leading to the hall door was damp
and grass worn, and the aspect of the whole
place was picturesque, but melancholy.
There was no sign of life or welcome in the
old house. many Of the window shutters
being closed. The walls were blotched and
lichen covered, and in some places long
struggling branches of ivy hung in neglected
festoons. Going round the house, came to
a tangled and overgrown garden, at the far
Their side of which, through an open wicket
| could make out an old man busy with a
small patch of vegetables On presenting
myself to this venerable person, who was the
custodian, Griggs by name, l was welcomed
in a somewhat peculiar manner My new
acquaintance first rummaged in the pocket of
his coat, which lay on a wheelbarrOw, and
produced an antique pair Of spectacleS, which
he presently adjusted. Looking me very
attentiveIy in the face for some time, be at
length said: "You be main loike old Muster
Oldcastle / moind him well when he was as
young as you. But walk in, sir, and my
missus will get you bit of summat to eat"
Putting on his coat, the old fellow hobbled
up the steps leading to the garden door of the
house.
Inside the signs of age were, if anything,
more apparent The old wainscoted passage
was hung with cobwebs, and our footsteps
echoed loudly along the stone floor Passing
up a twisted staircase, we entered a small
room on the first floor.
"This was the room in which your uncle
spent most of his time, and it was here he
died." said Griggs
gazed around, and felt a sense Of dread
creep over me. The walls were paneled with
dark oak; along one side was an old cabinet,
black with age, and OIL a shelf above it was
arranged a small collection Of ancient look
ing books. Close TO the window was a writ
ing table, ON which stood an old desk. A
few high backed chairs were placed by the
walls, and some ancestral portraits looked
down with eyes that seemed to follow my
every movement. By the fireplace stood a
capacious arm chair shut in with an old
screen covered with stamped leather.
Meanwhile Mrs Griggs an ancient dame
of gnarled and knOtted aspect, was endeav
oring to make fire blaze in the rusty CRATE
Accomplishing this, in course Of time plain
meal was set before me, and | was left in
peace to discuss it. When had finished
made a closer inspection of the contents of
the room A cupboard in the wall was filed
with old lumber of various descriptions
Opening the cabinet with one of the keys
given to me by the lawyer, found drawers
filed with old accounts done up in method
ical manner, pair Of silver mounted pistols
of a bygone date some odds and ends Of Gu
riosities, but nothing Of any special interest
or value At length opened small drawer
with lie suaiissL..py Of the bunch and took
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