The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-10
STORY OF A WILL.

t'Thr0wn OIL his morse ana kllleuF'
read, in the weekly paper just issued, as
1 sat in my law-office one morning in
wellington, the county seat OF certain
Franklin county.
1t was on Thursday morping, in Sep
tember; and the paragraph went on to
say that on Wednesday morning Stephen
Edwards, a wealthy old farmer, who had
lived near a place called the Cros 8
Roads, three or four miles from yelling
ton, was found dead on the road, within
hall mile OF his house, and that ap-
pearances Indicated that he had been
thrown from his horse and killed on
Tuesday night, while on his way home
from the latter place.
"Why, declared p' said to myself;
sit was only the day before yesterday
that wrote his will, and 1t was signed
and witnessed here in my office. How
singular! Killed that very nightW
Mr.. Edwards was o somewhat singu-
lar man. I knew that he changed his
mind often, for I had drawn several
Wills for him. In thus last one, which 1
now remembered he very emphatically
declared should be the last, he had be.
oueathod the bulk of his wealth to dis
sipated nephew, Ross Edwards, reserv-
ing barely enough for his only daughter
to make the will valid. He did not tell
me why, and it was no part Of my busi-
ness to ask him; although, knowing the
family well, had wondered at it.
l had scarcely finished reading the
paragraph relating to the accident, when
MIR. Brush, the constable, stepped in.
He was not a very learned man, was
yery excitable, and entertained keen
sense of the solemnity of his duties as
an officer.
s!Have you heard about Edwards9" he
asked.
I'll have just read of it," replied. "It
is a sad thing"
"Well, there is a suspicion Of some
thing wrong about it,"
"Ahl How so?' asked.
"You drew his will, didn't you~
"In favor of Rossr
eyes"
81 did. What's wrong about itr
"Wby, his daughter Lucy has come
into town this morning. and got a war
rant out to arrest her cousin Ross, on
suspicion OF murder. She says he knew
that the will was to be made In his fa-
vor that day, and as the old man had
changed his mind SO often, and might do
it again, she believes that he waylaid
and murdered him, 80 as to make sure OF
the property. You know Ross is called
a
ait looks bad" replied.
1It does 30. Well, l have the warrant
for his arrest, and 1 am going to ride out
to the Cross-Roads and get him. VIII
you go alongi You are a lawyer, and i
would like you to go along. You might
notice things that wouldn't"
"Yes, Pll 60 with you," said. "Wait
lust minute."
had horse which l soon saddled
and bridled, and in few minutes Mr..
Brush and 1 were galloping away over
the country toward the Cr0ss-Roads, a
place that aspired to be village, on
account Of its having post-otfice, gro-
Gerry store, and three or four dwelling
houses.
"By-the.way." said the constable, as
he rode along, "did Edwards leave his
will in your carer
"No, he took it with him. "Was 1t
found in his pocketT
81 didn't ask the girl, but We'll know
when we get there. He won't be buried
till an investigation is made. The coro-
ner is coming out to-day"
We learned on the way that Ross Ed
wards made his quarters at the Cross
roads tavern, and when we arrived in
front OF the little two story building, we
saw him sitting on the porch reading the
county newspaper. He did not seem to
notice US dismounting, and we had Sc
cured our horses at the hitching-post
and stepped upon the piazza before he
was aware of our presence.
Gross Edwards" said Mr.. Brush, in a
very impressive tone, as he laid his hand
on the startled mans shoulder, 81 arrest
you for the murder OF your uncle, Ste
phen Edwards, whom you waylaid on
tuesday night, and knocked from his
horse with club, to secure the immedi-
ate benefit OF his will"
Grave as the occasion was, / could
scarcely keep from smiling uat this
pompous speech, which think Mr..
Brush bad mentally prepared and COM
mitted to memory on the way. 1t was
the first time ne mad ever been called
upon to arrest man ON charge of
murder, and he evidently intended to
make the most OF 1T.
Ross Edwards looked up into the con-
stables lace, then at me, with apparent
surprise; after which he turned very
pale, aud seemed trying to speak, though
unable to utter word.
s.I'm sorry," said Mr.. Brush, In less
official tone, ''and hope the charge may
prove false; but l must do my duty.
Your cousin Lucy has made the COM
plant, and got the warrant out. Here it
is" And ne began to read-"Common-
wealth Of"
"Neyer mind reading it," interrupted
Ross Edwards, recovering his selt-pos-
session and speaking very calmly. 81
know what a WarranI js, and know you
are the constable. / will 60 with you at
once; but rest assured that there is some
mistake about this."
He arose and put on his hat as he
spoke.
81 hope it will turn out So" said MIR.
Brush.
Cross" said I-for l had often ad-
dressed him by his first name-"do you
happen tOknow that your uncle made u
willin your favorW
s'No," he replied, coolly.
"You don't?'
ssNo, ] don't knoto that he did so. He
70 Id me few days ago that he would.
tGe M 9 had quarrel with Lucy, who has a
!, iolent temper, and he said that should
,.e his heir. He told me that she did not
epreat him with either affection or respect,
sand he was determined that she should
NOT btcome wealthy At his death-that