The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-05-31

the disposition of his property.
On coming into the presence Of
my friend, whom l had not seen for
several years, was startled, not
to say shocked, at his appearance.
His age could not have exceeded
forty; but he seemed broken down
man. His countenance was hag-
gard and care-worn; his eyes sunk
en- and restless; whilst his gray
hairs and STOPPING form bore sad
der impress than that of years.
He expressed himself grateful at
my ready compliance with his re-
quest; and, at the conclusion OF
our greetings, signified his desire
to proceed at once to business. ]
need scarcely say / was prepared
to receive instructions for an equi-
table division of the testator's for
tune among his children-two sons
and daughter, all of tender years
making, at the same, suitable
provision for his wife. Judge of
my surprise, therefore, when Mr..
st. Clair named as the sole success
sors to his property two individu-
ais unknown to me, and of WHO'S
connection with himself ! was
wholly ignorant.
"Mr, st. Clair" I ventured to re-
monstrate, "you have a wife and
children" .
81 have," he replied, "but heaven
preserve them from the curse of
wealth that does not belong to
Them"
"But my FRIEND" 1 persisted,
there is such a thing as being over
scrupulous. l am aware that your
large possession came by your first
wife, but the property was hers to
do with as she would. She became
the sole heiress OF her father when
his three sons we're"
"Hold" he cried, in a tone which
would have startled me had l not,
at the moment, been looking in his
face, from the expression of which
| perceived there was some mystic
ry to be disclosed.
"St. Claire" said |, approaching
and laying my hand on his should
er, "we were once companions and
friends. AS friend, as we'll as a
lawyer, you have sent for me-
There is some mystery of which !
am sure it was your purpose to
disburthen your mind. Whatever
may be the secret, rest assured it
will be safe with me; but l can
never become the instrument of
beggaring your innocent wife and
children for reasons of the suffic-
iency of which l am not clearly
convinced.
"There is a mystery" said he, ga
fearful mystery-and, when it is
disclosed, neither you nor any man
can call me friend; but it will not
be long that shall have occasion
for friendship. First hear my rea.
sons, and then decide upon their
validity"
l resumed my chair, and placing
himself in position partly to con-
ceal his face, he proceeded:
'It is upwards of ten years, as
you know, since | married my first
wife, the daughter of Mr.. Benson,
the wealthy barrister. She, you
are aware, was the child of form
er marriage; and the immense for
tune of my father-in-law belonged
to him-or rather to his three sons
in right of his second wife, who
was dead at the time of my mar
riage.
81 had not the most distant hope
that this immense fortune would
ever reach me; for, though l knew
that, in the event of the death of
my wife's half brothers without is
sue, the estate would be entirely
at her father-in- laws disposal, what
reasonable ground of expectation
was there that three healthy boys
would die, and thus make way for
Agnes? | had not married for mon
ey; and the thought of succeeding
to the wealth which afterward be.
came mine had never, at that time,
entered my mind.
81 will tell you the first time the
thought dawned upon me. There
was an epidemic raging in the
neighborhood, and my tather-in-
laws three sons were attacked by
it at the same time. One evening
when my wife received a message
that it was doubtful if any of them
would survive the night, the thought
flashed upon me that, if they should
not, how great would be the change