The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-03-07
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The Legacy.


tary replied, with n singular smile. that
he would have time enough to make il
after his death.
The friend recounted this conversation
to the notayy's son. who did not seem to
be at all surprised at it.
Il am aware of it," said he, at Ia n
| point on which one cannot argue with
him. My dear father believes that he
has n secret by which he can bring him.
self again to life. 1t is an illusion which
has always astonished me in a man of
such rare intelligence"
This answer very much astounded his
friend. and. curious to know what this
secret could be, he asked the notary's
son if he knew what it was.
Perfectly WELL" replied he. 1T is Il
thing within the reach of the poorest
purse. This marvellous recipe Is sold at
the corner of every street n Paris and
usually costs from 10 centines to a frame
My father learned Il from stranger. to
whom he had rendered an important
service-an Italian count, a descendant,
perhaps of Cagliostro, and whom, it
seems to me, i can still see. with his tall
figure, his gray hair, his noble bearing,
his black eyes, which shone with Il sur
prising fire, and his decorations. His only
payment was the revealing of this mys-
terry, and my father felt quite contented
with this quittance."
The friend insisted no longer. and the
notary continued to live like q man who
felt himself stronger than the tomb.
Some time after this the old man ex-
perienced one of those nexplicable SEN
sations which, to certain powerful or
ganizations, are a presage of death. He
called his servant, an old Breton, who
had waited on him 40 years.
"Jean," said he. laying his hand on
the shoulder of his ancient servitor, ''re-
member well what / am going TO say to
thee and swear to me to do what / am
going to ask of thee"
81 swear i'll" said the Breton.
"If 1 should die suddenly, make me
take an ice as soon as it shall be evident
that am dead"
The Breton. accustomed to passive
obedience, promised to do so without
making any observation.
From that day every evening during Il
whole month the notary repeated his
commands to the old servant.
One morning the notary was stricken
with apoplexy. The physician declared
that every remedy was useless. The rat
ting in the old mans throat was perfect
ly frightful. His bloody eyes stared up
on the Breton with terrific iiXity For q
moment he raised himself on his elhlow.
reached his hand toward the servant. and
said to him in a voice which seemed like
the last cry of the death agony:
Remember" And he fell back on the
pillow lifeless mass
1t was known that the notary had
many arrangements to make: he had fire.
quently stated his intention of leaving
legacies to grandson whose mother was
dead and to several of the servants
A profound silence regned in the
chamber of death-that terrible silence
which is interrupted only by sobs Jean
kneeling in Il corner. was praying with
that fervent ardor which the Breton
peasants drink in with their mothers
milk.
When he had done praying, he arose.
Monsieur" said he to the son, this is
the moment"
The son looked at the servant as one
who does not comprehend.
Yes monsieur" continued Jean: at is
perhaps sacrilege, but have sworn-I
must obey"
The son suddenly remembered the be.
lief which the old notary had entertained
since the visit of the Italian count.
Thou art brave and worthy serv-
itor," said he TO Jean. But dost you be
lleve that what my father has demanded
of thee can possibly be any use?'
II believe in Cod replied the Breton
lf my action is criminal, | have prayed
that the fault may rest with me only. ] |
will do what promised"
go, then" said the son.
Jean went out and soon returned,
bringing an ice upon a tray. He ap
the notary's bed and slipped
spoonful of ice between his teeth Jean
himself was as pale as the corpse of his .
master. He continued his work. which /
borrowed, from the end which he pro
posed to himself. a character of mystery
solemnity and expectation.
Suddenly a shudder passed through the
frame of the notary. He opened his eyes
and sat up.
MY fatherp' cried the son, springing
toward the bed with open arms.
My son, | am dead" said the notary.
raising his cold and livid hand. "rrou.
BILE not this hour. Bring a notary Go:
my second life will last but one hour"
The voice OF the dead man had an &c.
cent so clear and so firm, his glance was
so full of fire, his gesture so authorite
tive, that the son obeyed. A cold sweat
stood upon his brow,
JEAN" resumed the corpse of the no
tary, thanks. Get ready quickly n ia.
Bile, pens and ink; set chair. Good"
The son entered. followed by a notary
who had been intimately acquainted with
The patriarch of the company
Make haste, my dear D." exclam.
ed the dead man. 'T count the mo
ments."
The notary took seat. dipped his pen
70 ink aud commenced the preamble usu
Il in acts of this kind
When he had finished he raised his
head.
Very good" said the corpse. "Now
write"
And with voice clear and sonorous as
he sound of a light hammer striking on
plate of steel he dictated his last wish
's His eyes shone like phosphorus. and
neither Jean nor his son could bear their I,
lrillance.
When he had finished, ne took Jean
ana his son by the hand. sighed deeply
md fell bach heavily upon his bed
Ills mouth was closed, and the blazing
ulster of his eyebals had Disappeared
Ike the flare of torch which had been
blown out. Two days after the Old no.
ary was interred.- Exchange.
He Was ID.
Mandy" said Farmer Contossel az
ne dropped valise full OF sawdust ON
ha l. f,I,o