Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-07-23
THE EVENING STAR.
THE ECCENrRIC WILL,
aon AN KssL1sH Jupox's NOTE. noop

"
had chambers then in Elm Tree Court and
his chambers We're in Kings Bench Walk,
Pat on my hat and went over to HIM a. once
With my friend, found n solicitor, who was
well enough known to Us both; and after The
usUal salutations my friend said, "IIere is Mr.,
Martin, W HON you know; and he tells me that
ne e sent lot by MT Devises, very rich man,
residing in great Ormond streeI, and who
wants TO make his will, but cannot or will NOT
do 1t until he has had a conference with bar
rister. am busy, and cannot go; hut if you
Ike to DO so, you may as we'll. 1t is a little
OUT OF me regular way, but, after all, that
don much matter"
"And a twenty guinea fee" added Mr.. Mar
tin, with a bland look
Twenty guinea fees were not so plentiful in
those days, that one, when it presented itself,
although rather irregularly, was not to be dis.
pissed; SO ! consented at once.
Mr. Martin and therefore, as the day was
me, walked together to Great Ormon street,
Queen Square, which was then quite q fash
ionable district.
The house in the occupation OF Mr.. Devises
was quite mansion, with large hall aud a
broad, handsome staircase. with gilt rails.
Old family pictures were upon the walls, and
pieces OF armor. In fact, the whole aspect of
the place assumed that the house belonged to
some ancient and most respectable family.
And such. in truth, was the fact; for NJ
Maftin, on our way, informed me OF some par
nculars connected with our client which were
curious ard interesting.
hr Devises, Them was the brother in la " OF
one OF our Judges-Judge Taunton, who was
a baron Of the exchequer. He hal married
come twenty or two and-tWenty years ago, the
sister OF the then Mr.. Taunton, but now Sir
George Taunton. One daughter was born
and then some fatal ard serious dissension
broke out between Mr.. Devises and his wife.
and separation took placs. which induced
NFs Devises to retire to France with her
daughter
From that time to the present, Mr. Devises
had led gloomy and solitary life alone in his
honse, in Great Urmond street.
Now he found himself at the point Of death
and he wished TO make his will.
Hence our errand TO his house.
"But Why said !, .'did he not send for
$50 asked him, replied Mr.. Martin land
Inc mere idea was very nearly the death of
him. 1tappears that there has been some ter
ribla quarrel between them, and he Will no.
hear even his name mentioned with patience
"Indeedn'
"fss. was glad to drop the subject. But
here we are at his house"
We were met in the hall Of the mansion BY
Mr.. Martins clerk, whom he had sent on before,
10 be there in readiness; and very respectable
gray headed old servant shook his head as we
asked how poor MIR. Deyises was.
VERY bad, gentlemen very bad; but he is in
terrible temper, for all that
II expected as much" said Mr.. Martin. II
fully expected as much"
This anouncem mt was far from giving Tse
nnalIoyed satisfa ction, for did not feel quite
disposed to put Up with the ''terrible temper
of Mr.. DeyisPs.
knew well enough that family solicitors
like Mr.. MartiT. occasionally came in the way
OF such matters, but at the bar it is quite
another thing.
shall. after all, like this affair."
..Oh, it's no'hing-it is nothing" he said 81
will speak to him."
We followed the respectable old servant mn
the grand staircase, and were ushered into q
room OF large and lofty aspect, at the further
end Of which, on couch with an abundance
Of pillows, lay Mr. Deyises.
$50 TO the deuce, all of you ~ he bawled ont
as he saw u.s. What do you want herei
Thieves. I suppose "
mo, Mr.. Devises:" said Mr.. Martin. LAW
ATS all The same,'' he yelled. "What do
you want here, eh Can't you wait till am
dead, Ell %
"Sir," said 1, ssif You don't want me, / will
90; but was told you wanted to see barrister,
and am one. But if you are disposed to be
is all right, my dear sir. You were 80 good as
10 say You wanted q conference with a counsel
learned in law, and have brought You this
gentleman
"Oh, you have, have your growled Mr.
Devises, in somewhat molified tone "Ah,
suppose you are all alike! Sit DOWN.
This invitation to sit down was given in
something the manner of what one might sup
pose to be the politeness of bear on an intru-
sion into his den.
"Well,'' growled Mr.. Dcyises, what do
you want now You are here, eh y
"My good SIR said /, ..the question is, what
Econ as possible from so unciyil an old bear "
"My dear sir" interposed Mr.. Martin;
Greatly. now, really'-'
Old Mr.. Devises laughed like hyena
"Ha ha! Eugh eugh I like You. You
say what you hink-so dol. | like you
slightly inclined my head.
"Come, then. Very WELL" he added. lyon
are ccunsel!''
II am"
Mr. Devises shut his eyes, and il was evil
IDENTIFY great trial TO his temper to say what
a am about he began" 10 utter the names
OF people have never spoken OF for twenty
years; but as l am dying now-as l koow I
shall die o-night at the turn OF the tide -
My dear sir" said Mr. Martin, in soft
and deprocatory tone, s1''-
"Silencer' roared old Mr.. Dsvises
Mr.. Martin skunk back in his chair
cat the turn of the tide . added the oil
man. Il have said it, and l know it There
fore, il becomes necessary that should settle
nv affairs. If had no-no child I wonla
leave my money in q mass to each of the mock
charitable societies and institutions in London,
so that they might all go to law about it, and be
ruined; but have q daughter, and-and she
must have it ALL
"a very proper disposition" began the
Silence ~ roared old Devises again.
Dear me-" said Mr.. Martin, in an under
tone, II really never was SO snubbed in my
"Or," added Mr.. Devises, 81 would have
left my money TO six attorneys, with a life
interest to six other attorneys in it, and some
few other complicated requests, which wsuld
have made them all ready to cut each others
Threats about the property. But, as say, l
have daughter-a daughter! :"
- Yes, sir"
"Silence ~
81 Dear me ~
al have daughter. Her name is Millicent
Fly wife's name was Millicent She was the
sister of George Taunton. Tnere-there! /
have pronounced names that have not passed
my lips for twenty yearsF'
Hum - said Mr.. Martin.
whats o'clockl 70 asked old Deyises, alb.
ruptly.
"a quarter past two, sir %
The old mans lips moved as if he were
counting, and then he said, II die at q quarter
past twelve. Ten hours yet-ten hours vet"
"But what, sir" said I, ssdo you want to ask
me g"
He glared at me tor a moment, and then he
said, 1.-The girl will be OF age In month from
now. Can leave her ali !'
Certainly"
without trustees -
alt will be better to name responsible trus-
tees, as she is not actually of age"
They will rob her,
"Not necessarily, sir"
.Can make the trustees give up all to her
and to her solely, on the DAY she becomes OF
age
nYes."