The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-03-26
THE PRESUMPTIVE HEIR.

WHO COulu DS, IL Il6 MtuIcu W NC. etllu
it is not every man who would want to
be, if he could be. This may seem an
antithetical paradox, which might al
SO be denominated a parergy-we use
these high-tlown terms because we are
dealing with high-fown subject; as
will be seen by attention to this mar
rative of Nicholas Tongs, native of
the town of MISSION Vale, SO named
because it's founder had seen exactly
such a 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 Tongs,
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-
spired to make Nicholas Tongs what
he was-an original individual-so
that it would be beyond the bounds Of
reasonable expectation to hope to
find pair offs UGH Tongses. Moreover,
at the age OF thirty, having been a
poor and almost shiftless fellow all
his 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
than a single man who did Whitewash-
ing and went about doing all sorts of
general utility jobs for a living. But
though every man 5 occasionals2rvant,
his spirit was not crushed.
When he heard he was the preSump-
tive heir of vast approaching wealth,
he instantly straightend up his back,
looked grave, kicked over his white
wash pail. burnt his brushes threw the
lime into the road, washed his face,
cOmbed his hair and sat down to
make plans for hefuture; and his first
resolve was thenceforth he would
become very naughty, reserved,
and dignifed in his department.
The fact is, reflected he, angry with
himself, Il have been to meek and
obliging, and commanded but little re-
Spect from the world, who, for the
most part, are such mean and con
temptible jacEasses, that they are apt
tovalue a man at the price which lie
seems to set upon himself; and So
modesty is a milestone, and good ma,
ture is imposed upon; while gassy
bladders OF men soar by their own
: frivolous imitation, and are looked W
te, Ni42re they shine like gold, but only
glitter by their puffiness. | am going
! to be rich. ! will teach the servile
world that | can become my fortune
will make all people keep their proper
distance; and. as | must make q be
ginning, l will do so at once, before
come into possession OF my property
| Nicholas Tongs forthwith blackeG
his boots, took q bath, had his hail
curled, put on ilis hest attire, scented
himself to a fearful degree OF sweetness
| and practised attitudes, strides, ges
tcres, naughty tones, and faces before
a cracked glass; and, in order to breal
himself aud his Appropriateness into hi!
new style OF behayioF. he stalkec
proudly and slowly, Will, gloves il
one hand and tiourishing large rec
silk handkerchief i'll the other; maxim!
little bows to such as happened tt
know and greet him III the usual un
ceremonious way.
All stared at his altered gait, dress
and manner; and his frowns and tao
iturnity created the suspicion that h
was i'll, or out of work, with the cxcep
ton of one intimate friend, jaime
litter, who having by chance learn
the secret of his great expectations
sought him out to see what effect hi
good fortune would have upon him.
"Why, Nick, how do you do?" sai'
litter. extending his hand cordially
but Nicholas nodded stitfly and offer
ed only one finger.
"What g the matter with your ham
clustered it whitewashing?"
"Sir" said Nicholas, haughtily.
"Whcre are you going, all dresse
up, Nick? Funeral, Isuppose, youloo
SO solemn"
mo, SIR
"Then you must be sick, Nick"
II am sick OF being called Nick
James. desire you to callme Niche
las, hereafter"
|, "James, you used to call me jim
"Jim is vulgar; so is Nick. | wish t
be addressed as Nicholas, james
Those who call me Nick l shall no
speak to-"
Something has happened, surely.
Nicholas coughed. Something ha
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. Worrie
in mind, for you neglect your persona
appearance; you have not washe
" yOurfaca this morning"
"Sip!"
you've got some dirt on your u
per lip-or perhaps you are going t
have moustache-or have you bee
I looking up the chimney, to see whic
!. way the wind blew"
|, flames, this familiarity don't b.
come you. If am growing nous
: tache, let me tell you that I can a
. ford it; and if / have been looking t
see which way the wind blew, I assur
i you that Hound it blew in the RICH
/ direction"
: "Nick, your heads turned. Yo
!, never talked in this way before.
= know that jobs are scarce, and yo
!, find it hard work to keep your hea
above water: but that ought not t
: sour yoq towards your old friends
!. You know never refused to lend yo
Q shilling to get dinner or buy lin
e with, and many's the odd job I've &C
) for you to do"
i Job! Ha, hal" laughed Nicholai
as if amused at his friends Ignorance
I "and lime! have done with all jot
I and lime
"WhatI Amt you going to do an
more embarrassing? exclaimed Title
feigning wonder.
"Ahem! James, you are @ prett
] fair sort of fellsW-a tolerably goo
soul-and | beg you will never mentio
| whitewashing to me again. You wi