Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-08-31
ttlistelitlnsulls.
ROMANCE OF MAKING WILLS.

Some time ago had occasion to go to Doctors
Commons to look at a will of dead man. The
hand that signed it was in the grave long before
DUST perhaps; but the record of the will
which animated that hand WAS there among
those dusty folos, engrossed in an almost undo-
ciphcrable hand, which tell how all the real
property in the county has been disposed of over
and over again. had no difficulty in finding
it, for had a note Of the precise day the de-
ceased died on. 1t is unnecessary to say any
thing about the contents of the will, however,
for they have no relation to what was writing.
1t is only the date which have any business
with The will was dated the day before the
man died. |, Of course, had often heard of men
making their wills when they were just at
doath's door, without any particular thought
being excited but this time [ was surprised as
a single fact very often does surprise US, when
we have passed by IL host of similar ones un-
noticed knew the man who had made that
will. He was shrewd, prudent, sharp lawyer,
who had risen from nothing to he man of i'm
mense wealth. If he was distinguished for any
qualities in particular, it was for punctuality
and promptitude. None of the clerks of Ills
rzrfe were ever five minutes t4,3late, That was
- offsnce not to be forgiven No one ever knew
him to be behindhand at an appointment, or to
let business go undone. His honsekeeper, who
managed his bachelor home for many years,
only kept her place by being exact as to time.
Yet this man had not made his will till few
hours before lis death and, therefore, the pos
session of his property formed the subject of q
very nourishing lawsuit
When went out of that dark, dismal cata-
comb of dead mems wills, went on thinking of
all the similar aases of procrastination which
knew or had heard of-and they were not few
for this was the experience of one who was q
law clerk before he quarreled with red tape.
What curious catalogue they were! There
was an old lady, toothless old dowager who
had rcprobate and discarded son. and pretty
gentle neice who lived with her. We used to
manage all her affairs. and it was pretty well
known in the Office that the GO nice girl with the
long curls," was to be the old ladys heir. Our
head clerk, red-wliiskered dandy, who had no
mean opinion of himself, built, could see, cer-
tain spcculations on that basis. The old lady
never came without Eliza; and when visit
was expected, Mr.. Catchpole brushed his hair
into the most killing curls, and changed the
+bo al h.,
out doors, and beautfed himself as far as that
was practicable Well, a message came one
day that the old lady was ll--vcry ill-with an
urgent request that some one would go at once
and make her will. Off went our Adonis as
fast us the promise Of something liberal over the
fare could urge the cabman.
When he arrived, the old lady was alive-iust
alive enough to tell him that all her property
was to be left to Eliza. She told him that in q
Kissing whisper which supplied the place OF the
cracked voice; but when she came to the word
all, " so full was the poor old creature OF love
for the neice or, perhaps, Of doterminaton--let
us hope not hate-agtinst her son, that she half
lOoS VI II III hCi pNi, anu bicbNbCu WiJllGICu
hand, and shrieked oat that word again. 1t
must have been Il terrible sight--that of life
struggling with death for II will
| 1t was il short matter to write that will down,
and Catchpolos pen lcw over the paper, aud
the old eyes that were glazing 50 fast stared
anxiously the while, and the thin fingers actu-
oIIy hnI tha NON cha Ia, 4 .el1od f,, hnt,,Dl ,,,J
ready to sign the paper. In few moments ali
was ready; but what difference that few min
utes made! The clerk had risen from his seat
and approached the couch when the surgeon,
WHO stood on the other side, said, with that
coolncss which medical practice brings, g 1t is
/ too late and it was too late The dead fin
gers clenched the unusued pen so tightly that
| they had to be unclAsped from it. The son was
heir OF all, and Eliza was u beggar. Death had
translated that all into none. The SEQUEL
is soon told. Tao property was wasted by the
repro5ate SON. and has long since pissed into
other hand, and Eliza, Instead Of possessing
some thousands year, and buing wooed by Nir.
Catchpoe, Isl faded daily governess.
Every lawyers Office has plenty of such stories
as this. One remember of miser who bad
ruined more than one family, and in his last
moments wished to make such rcparaton as
bequeathcd gold could compass. Poor wretch,
when the will was brought, catalepsy had seized
him, and he laid there living corpse--dead in
all but mind. He could not move his hand, hi.
tongue refused its Office; only bis eyes were free