"Not at Home" [pp. 305-308]

"NOT AT HOME." 307
carefully from the appearance of evil; having
tasted of the forbidden fruit, and discovering
that it was not delightful, however convenient,
she decided for the future never again to make
use of the politic "not at home."
Some months after a distant relative of Mr.
Smithl's died, from whom the nearest friends expected handsome legacies. She was an eccentric lady, and had never married, and was the
possessor of a large fortune, which she had carefully hoarded, living always plainly and ill great
retirement; and when the old lady passed away
many surmises were made, both by the interested as well as the disinterested, as to how and
to whom the bulk of her property had been bequeathed. Rumor reported that Mr. Smith,
being the nearest relative, and having always
been considered a favorite of the eccentric old
maid, would inherit the greater part of her
estate; and Mrs. Smith was very hopeful and
sanguine, while her husband wisely refrained
from expressing his opinions on the subject, or
indulging in uncertain expectations, knowing
the peculiar temperament of his relative "We can buy our house at once, instead of
waiting for years, and pinching and saving for
it," said his sanguine wife as they were going
together to hear the reading of the will. "And
then there are so many pleasant little alterations
that could be made without much expense.
Ahl, money is a very good thing."
"Yes, money brings its comforts; but do n't
build your castles so fast, Jenny, for the foundations may be very unsubstantial. Cousin
Becky was a strange woman, but a person of
the strictest integrity; and as'she never dropped
any hint indicating the disposition she intended
to make of her property, no one can justly
accuse her of raising false expectations which
she may not have fulfilled; for she was never
known to break a promise when once made."
"But you have always been a favorite," urged
Mrs. Smith. "Every one says so, and predicts
that you will certainly be generously remembered in her will."
"Well, well, we will soon know," he returned,
endeavoring to keep under his own hope, which
his wife's sanguine mind would have increased
in spite of his reason and wiser judgment.
All of the old lady's connections and relations from afar and near were assembled to
hear her last will and testament; some who
had always been attentively polite to her
through policy; others who now came for the
first time to the house, either out of motives of
curiosity, or hoping by some lucky stroke of
good fortune that they had been remembered.
Old and young, rich and poor, awaited the re
suit with anxious curiosity and well-concealed
impatience; and of all the assembly there was
not a more hopeful or sanguine heart than that
of Mrs. Smith as she sat by her hlusband's
side.
All eyes were fixed upon the document which
the calm lawyer held in his hand until the preamble was solemnly and slowly read over, as if
each word of that was important. Then followed numerous small legacies for the nearest
and poorest of the relatives; and as each name
was distinctly mentioned the glances of the.
company were turned upon the legatee, whose
eyes sought the floor, or stared blankly at the
wall before them.
A long list of these small remembrances was
read, and then followed the important and startling, but not altogether unexpected announcement: "To my cousin, Richard Smith, I bequeath the bulk of my fortune."
The lawyer gravely proceeded to read the
minute details of the property, while the company looked grimly at Mr. Smith, the fortunate
heir of fortune, whose face flushed deeply; and
visions of bay-windows, charming little piazzas,
and newly furnished rooms, floated through Mrs.
Smith's giddy brain.
Murmurs and whispering congratulations
were already commencing, when the lawyer
continued "A partof this will has been revoked!" And
all were again silently attentive as he addtd "The bulk of my fortune I shall not leave to
my cousin Richard Smith. I have decided to
leave him one-fourth of the original amount,
and thile remainder to various public charities.
This determination was made subsequent to my
last visit to his house, when I did not find Mrs.
Smith, his wife, at home."
Mrs. Smith's brain whirled in a confused
jumble as the list of the benefactions for various charitable institutions was named; and
her bay-windows and new piazzas seemed tumbling in ruins about her eats as she listened to
the tiresome repetitions of the imperturbable
lawyer, as he calmly concluded his duty.,
The congratulations and envy of the crowd
were changed into condolences and expressions
of wonder, as Mrs. Smith endeavored to make
her escape and avoid their curious questions,
and surprise at the sudden change in the old
lady's mind, and the revocation of her will in
their disfavor.
"It's all out —the mystery was solved instantly in my mind," said her husband, as they
walked homeward. "I thought at once of the
charity woman to whom you were'Not at
home.'"
,,NOT AT HOME."
3o7,