Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1855-05-31

what assurance have you that the property
Will be distributed as you have said p
"A knowledge o! my uncIe's peculiar preiu-
diceS would be sufficient assurance, if there
were no other,' wsS Gerald's reply you
mnst know he has strong family pride, and
las great desire that his property shall be
handed down from generation 10 generation
In other words lie is strong advocate OF The
doctrine OF primogeniture, as it prevails in
England, and, as you will easily believe, en-
teltOining such ideas, would he Tar from des-
polling the son TO enrich the nephew
There is cerlainly strong grounds Of appre
hension,' salrl the copyist.
But said Gerald, Il have here something
still more convi incing.'
He took from his side pocket parchment
lied with blue ribbon, and lelsurely unroll-
ed il. Jacob watched his movements with
curiosity.
This said he bending searching glance
upon Jacob, as if 10 test his fidelity, 'this is
my uncle's will
The copyist started in undisguiSed amaze.
ment.
His will 2 echoed he; 'how did you obtain
posse Ssion of il. p
Gelaid ID smiled darkly.
III was for my INTEREST," said he, 'to know
the contents Of this document, anG therefore
made it my business to find it. You see |
lave been successful Listen while read
the contents You will see how good right
have TO feel satisfied with It's tenor
Drawing the lamp nearer, he commenced
as follows:-
"Kno,o 0H Men By these Presents, that |, AL
Ian Aubrey, being Of sound mind, 10 devise
and bequenth my estate as follows -
"To my nephew Gerald, for whom have
faherly regard, the sum of two hundred
collars annually, 10 be paid from the estate.
''To my son Edgar, the whole OF my POS
sessions, Of whatever character, subject only
% the deduction as above.
''lt is my wish that my nephew Gerald,
above mentioned, should enjoy, as therefore,,
a home at the lodge; and | have sufficient
confidence in my sons couSingly esteem, as
we'll as his regard for my wishes, 10 believe
that he will carry ont 10 the full my inten-
lions in this respect.
"ALLAN AUBREY.''
VERY conSidera'e, is ii not 3 said Gerald
with sneer, as he flushed reading the docu-
ment NV good uncle must think have but
y mean spirit 20 settle down in cuntented OBJ.
>curily as dependant on my own cousin
'Of what nature ventured the copyst, lis
he service am TO DO you
"You are skIiful with the pen, exceeding
ly sklllful,' said Gerald meanlngly. Indeed
there have been times when this faculty came
near standing you in ioUd stead, though il
might also have turned TO your harm.' The
young man WINGED. 'Ah j.! ! see you remem.
bei little occurrence in the p ST, when, but
far my intervention, YOU would have been
convicted of--shniil ray it p forgery. You
need moi thank me. The idea struck me at
the lirle that | might at some future period
have need Of you
q am ready
what want you to do is this: You must
draw up for me another will, perfect fac
smile Of this, except that my name shall be
substituted Tor my Cousins, and his for mine.
so that our relative POSITIONS shall be changed
and he, not !, be the dependant. Well,man
what means that look of horror ?
'lt will lie very dangerous 10 both OF us,
rallered the copySt.
at will he forgery, admit said Gerald,
calmly, 'bui what is there in that little word
forgery thai should so discOmpose you? Are
YOU thinking that the Old charge might be
brought against yOu once more, when no in.
eryenton on my part would serve 2
Jacob perceived the threat implied in these
words, aud fastened to propitiate his visitor.
Nay said he submiSSlyeIy, 'yOu fnow besl
the danger'
'And tell you there is none at all. You
are Sc cunning OF the pen that you can easily
challenge detection, and for the rest will
take the hazard
'And what will be the recompense 2 in
quiTed Jacob.
Fifty dollars now,' was the prompt reply /;
five bundled When the success Of the plan is
assured and the estate has fallen into my
hanGs.'
Jacobs eyes spalkled.
q consent,' said he. Give me the will ]
must study it fora while in order 10 become
familiar with tie hand writing
He drew the lamp beside him, and began to
pore earnestly over the manuscript, occasion
ally scrawlirg with the pen which he held in
one hand an imitation of some of the charac
iers. 1t was O study for painter-these two
men-each resolved upon wrong deed for
The sake OF personal dvaniage-Getald with
his cool self possessed manner, and the cop
visit with his nervous eagefneSs, divided be
tween The desire Of gam and fe0r Of detec
ton.
Ii was q, tins moment That o woman's eye
might have been seen peeping through half
open door, and regarding with quick glance
all that The room contained.
The two men were so intent upon other
things that they thought there was no fear oil
detection
'Oh no : said she to herself, 'there shall
be a third in the secret which you fancy con
fined to two. Who knows but | may find il
for my advantage some day. ] will stay and
hear he whole She drew back her head ST
lently, aud took position just behind the
door, where nothing that was said could eS
cape her.
Meanwhile Jacob having satisfied himself
that he could without difficulty initiate the
handwriting Of the will, commenced he task
OF copying. Half an hour elapsed, during
which both parties preserved Slrict silence.
Al The end Of that time Jacob handed Gerald,
with satisfied air the manuscript he had
made. The latter compared. the two with
critical eye. Everything, even 10 the names
Of the Witnesses, was wonderfully like. II
was extremely difficult 10 Sai which was the
original, and which The copy
you have done the work WELL said he,
with satisfied air, 'and deserv much credit.
You are wonderfully skilled with the pen.'
Jacob worked his hands coEplacen!ly.
with this think eau defy deectlon.--
Here are the fly dollars, you have richly
earned them. The other is contingent on my
getting the estate.'
Jacob bowed.
sIt mus, be very late, said Aubrey, drawing
out his watch Bless me it is Two O'Clock
must hasten away.
Gerald bultoned up his coat and went forth
into the5Street. Perfec. quiet reigned IN the