Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-07-21
From Shapes Magazine.
THE WILL:
4 a Tale of the Last Century.


the old northern family concerned in it, but that
with the exact dates, she has now forgotten, If
she ever knew the latter; and having never
written down the story, she has no means OF
recovering them. However, from her express
mention of tight wig, worn by the benevo-
lent old hero of the tale, we have fixed the
strange occurrence not earlier than the last
century.
Towards the end of a gusty October day,
about the year 1880, barrister of the temple
was sitting reading, when the opening of the
door, and his servants announcement of ga
gentleman interrupted him. He rose to re-
ceive his visitor, who proved to be perfect
stranger, person of very genllemanly, but
extremely old fashioned, appearance. He was
dressed in grave colored snit, of antique cut;
a neat, tight gray wig surrounded his serious,
and even solemn, physiognomy; silk stockings,
rolled at the knee; enormous shoe-buckles of
gold; cane, headed with the same metal, and
a broad-brimmed and unlocked hat, completed
his equipment; which was in the fashion of the
last years of William the Third, or the first of
his successor. Having stiff1y bowed, in the
exact way prescribed by the etiquette OF the
era to which he seemed to belong, lie took pos
session of the chair offered him by his host; and
after preparatory akem, thus began, in slow
and serious manner:
81 think, sir, you are the lawyer employed by
the S-family, whose property in Yorkshire,
you are, therefore, aware is about to be
Sold"
az have, slr,' answered the barrister, "full
instructions and powers to complete the dispo-
sal of it, which, though d painful duty to me,
must be performed
alt is duty you may dispense WITH" said.
the visitor, waving his hand; 'the property need.
not be sold.''
presume TO ask, sir, whether you are
any relation to the family? If so, you must be
acquainted with the absolute necessity of sell
ing it, in consequence Of the claim of another
branch of the family, just returned from beyond
sea, who, as heir-at-law, is naturally possessor
of the estate, in default of will to the contary:
and who desires its value in money, instead of
the land. The present possessor is unable to
buyit; and, must, therefore, depart"
Yon are mistaken" replied the old gentle
man, rather testify; 'you seem not to know of
the will of Mr. SIS great grandfather, by
which he not only left that, his estate, to his
favorite grandson, this geutleman's father, but
even entailed it on his Great-great- grand
son.
'Such will, sir" said the barri.ter, ''was,
indeed, supposed, form many years, to exist; and,
in virtue of it, Mr.. S-has, until now, peace
ably enjoyed the property; but, on the claim
ants application, renewed search having been
made for it, either the belief proves wholly I'M
founded, or it has been lost or destroyed. Ca
binets, chests, every room, inhabited and unin-
habited. have heen ransacked in vain. Mr..
S--has now given up all hope of finding it;
the sale is to be completed in the course of next
week; and the fine old place must pass into the
hands of strangers
"You are mistaken once again, young man."
said the stranger, striking his cane on the floor:
81 say, sir, the will exists. Go, immediately"
night and day. You may save an old family
from disgrace and ruin. In the end room of the
left wing, now uninhabited, is closet in the
wall.'
awe have looked there" interrupted the bar
rister.
"Silence, sir, there is closet, l say. In
that closet is large chest; that chest has
false bottom, and underneath that is the deed.
[ am certain of that say. Isaw the paper de-
posted there; no matter when, or by whom
Go; you will find it worth your trouble. My
name, sir, is Hugh S.. lam not now per-
sonally known to the proprietor of S--Hall;
but am his relation and have his welfare at
heart. Neglect not to follow my advice"
So saying, the old gentleman arose, again
bowed, and at the door put on his hat in fash
ION which would have enchanted an elegant of
Queen Anne's day; and sliding the silken string
Of his cane on the little finger of his right hand
ON which the lawyer had remarked very fine
brilliant ring, he descended the stairs, and de-
parted, leaving the barrister in the utmost as
ton;shmcut. At first he felt half inclined to
consider the wholea as hoax; then again, when
be thought of the old gentleman's grave man
ner. and the intimate knowledge he must have
possessed of the house, to be able to describe
the room SO exactly in which the chest was, he
could not but believe him to be sincere.
A, length, after much deliberation, he deci-