The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-03-26
THE PRESUMPTIVE HEIR.

1t IS not every man who would want t.
be, Ii he could be. This may seem al
antithetical paradox, which might al
so be denominated a parergy-we u.s.
these high-hown terms because we az,
dealing with a high-hown subject; a!
will be seen by attention to this mar
rativc OF Nicholas Tongs, a native o
the town of Vision Vale, so named
because it's founder had seen exactly
such ~ beautiful place in dream, be
fore he discovered it, and built the first
house there
We will only add, before we begin
or rather before we end with the
beginning, that if anybody should in
dulge the hope to be a Nicholas longs
his path in life would doubtless be
overshadowed, bethorned, bevenom.
ed, and betangled with the vexatious
weeds OF disappointment. A combina-
ton OF peculiar providence had con-
splred to make Nicholas Tongs what
ae Was-an original individual-so
Chat it would be beyond the bounds OF
Feasonable expectation to hope to
Find a pair OFFS UGH Tongses. Moreover,
at the age of thirty, having been a
poor and almost shiftess fellow all
ms life, the news came to him that an
Immensely wealthy relative had died,
and left him all his fortune.
At this period of his humble exist
ence, Nicholas Tongs was nothing more
Chan a single man who did whitewash-
ing, and went about doing all sorts of
general utility jobs for living. But
thoughIevery mans occasionalservant,
{lS spirit was not crushed.
When he heard he was the presump-
give heir OF vast approaching wealth,
pc instantly stralghtend up his back,
booked grave, kicked over his white
wash pail, burnt his brushes threw the
time into the road, washed his face,
Eombed his hair and sat down to
make plans for the future; and his first
resolve was thenceforth he would
become very naughty, reserved.
%@AINt - 'SiitllCNt III Ills NCpOI llIlCuC.
''The fact is, reflected he, angry with
s himself, II have been to meek and
pbliglng and commanded but little re-
spect from the world, who, for the
most part are such mean and con-
atemptible jackasses, that they are apt
Ito value man at the price which he
A seems to set upon himself; and so,
etnodesty is milestone, and good ma
lure is imposed upon; while gassy
tbladders OF men soar by their own
arlVolOus initiation, and are looked up
to, where they shine like gold, but only
glitter by their putfiness. I am going
TO be rich. I will teach the servile
world that | can become my fortune.
i will make all people keep their proper
distance; and. as | must make a be-
ginning l will do SO at once, before
come into possession of my property"
Nicholas Tongs forthwith BACKED
his boots, took a bath, had his hair
'curled, put On his best attire, scented
himself to fearful degree of sweetness,
and practised attitudes, strides, ges-
FGures, naughty tones, and faces before
ga cracked g ass; and, in order to break
shunself and his acquaintance into his
NEW style OF behavior, he stalked
proudly and slowly, with gloves in
one hand and fourishing large red
silk handkerchief in the other; making
little bows to such as happened to
know and greet him in the usual un-
ceremonious way
All stared at his altered gait, dress,
and manner; and his frowns and tao
1turrity created the suspicion that he
was i'll, orout OF work, with the excep-
ton OF one intimate friend James
litter, who having by chance learnt
the secret OF his great expectations
sought him out to see what effect his
good fortune would have upon him.
HWhy, Nick, how do you do?" said
litter. extending his hand cordially
but Nicholas nodded stiffly and offer,
ed only one finger
"What's the matter with your hand
--blistered it whitewashing?"
E'Sir!" said Nicholas, haughtily.
s'Where are you going, all dressed
up, Nick? Funeral, Isuppose, youlooE
n SO solemn"
sFNo, sir"
f'Then you must be sick, Nick"
81 am sick of being called Nick
James. desire you to call me Nicho
las, hereafter"
"James, you used to call me JIM
Slim is vulgar; so is Nick wish tt
be addressed as Nicholas, James
Those who coll me Nick I shall moi
speak to-
Something has happened, SURELY
Nicholas coughed. Something hat
happened; but he felt it beneath hi!
dignity to be in haste to tell what.
"Something must have gone wrong
You are very much changed. Worried
iii mind, for you neglect your persona
appearance; you have not washed
yourface this morning"
t.Sir!"
.'tYou've got some dirt on your up
per lip-or perhaps you are going t.
have q moustache-or have you bee,
looking up the chimney, to see which
way the wind blew" s.. r..
James, this familiarity don't be
come you. Ii am growing a nous