The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-11
AN ALTERED WILL.
The Story Of Crime that Reads Like
Romance.
TFrom the Pi.tsburg Telegraph.l


The success Of the numerous devices
which instructed minds employ TO obtain
money without drawing upon their physical
energies usually depends upon quick action
ard a bold front. II is only once in awhile
we hear Of one which not only required in
IFS conception careful calculation, but in
addition cool hand in its prosecution.
One which prematurely came TO light few
DAYS ago for ingenuity and boldness is not
unworthy Of place alongside OF those
originated by older and more accomplished
heads.
In the latter part Of July last blind man,
accompanied by little girl probably ten
wears Of age, came to the office OF one Of our
leading attorneys and requested that his
will be framed. He gave a statement OF his
worldly goods, and described the manner
in which. and The persons 10 whom, he
wished bis property 10 be given. He bad
only TWO children living, both girls, one
being about eighteen years OF age and the
other about fen-who, with the aid OF hired
belp, kept his house. His wife is dead. He
had about $500 in bank, $500 in per
cent. Government bonds, and house and
lot OF ground. Among other requests there
was one TO a religious organization OF $500.
After the will had been prepared in ac-
cordance with the wishes OF his client, the
attorney called in a young man who was
reading law with him and read the will, as
sisted the old man 10 signing it, and the at
fornev and student witnessed the signature.
The old man being well acquainted with,
and trusting the attorney, desired bin TO
retain the will in his possession, as is very
frequently done. The attorney placed the
will
IN A SEALED ENVELOPE,
and fled II. with other valuable papers, in
his safe. Shortly afterwards the attorney
went away for the summer, leaving the
Office in charge of his student, who bad been
with him for several years. On his return,
among his first visitors was the old blind
man and the little girl. He had come for
the purpose OF changing one OF the requests
in bis will. and desired TO revoke the be-
quest OF $500 made to the religious organi-
zation. He also wished an agreement, rela-
ting to q party wall, which the young man
in the Office bad got prepared In the attor.
ney's absence, circumstances rendering IT
necessary 10 have IL at that time, TO be
examined that be might feel assured
that his rights had been properly Sc
cured. Upon examination the agree
ment was found TO be satisfactory in all
respects. After discussing the revocation
desired, and changes to be made in conse-
quence, the. attorney got the will from his
safe aud read II over to himself preparatory
10 making the changes desired. He was
considerably surprised to find a carefully
constructed codicil added to the will be had
drawn, revoklng the bequest made TO the
religious organization, and tequeathing it
TO the Young man In the office. Realizing
~ xvQ ~ 20
yised The will according TO the wishes OF his
client, aud bad It properly executed.
After the client had left be interviewed
his student, and drew, hit by bit, an ac-
count Of the apparent mystery; bow the
plan was concocted and carried out. Accord.
ing to
THE TALE OF THE STUDENT,
the client had called with his little girl, du-
ring the absence OF the attorney, and want
ed an agreement drawn relating to party
wall. After getting q statement from the
old man that would enable the student TO
draw, or get drawn, the agreement desired,
the old man said he would walt awhile until
be became rested, aud being in a laxative
mood he related how he In his young DAYS
had a great desI:e to study law, but being
then comparative stranger, he persuaded
himself that the difficulties 10 be met with
In acquiring practice were too great and
numerous to Justify his attempting 1t.
Then followed long conversation relating
TO the increased difficulties incident TO
the acquiring OF practice at this time
when the competition was so great
and that q person now, without having
something besides the ordinary expectancy
OF the young lawyers, would experience
dIscoufagements which deserved sympathy.
When be left, the student told him that 10
In order 10 relieve him OF the fatigue OF
Walking SO far be (ihe suddenly would
take the agreement 10 bis house and have
him sign II there. This arrangement was
agreed TO, as the old man was quite
feeble. Up TO this time II never oc-
Cured 10 the student to try to take
sny advantage u the circumstances but
after the agreement had been prepared,
and before be bad got 1t executed,
be received visit from another stu.
dent, and during their conversation they
beenu talking shout the blind client, aud
bow easy il would BE- 70 Impose upon bin;
boV easy tax Il would BE- In drafting his
Win 70 Insert beQn<sts contrary to the
elleoHo wishes. % > tocular way they be-
- ee]ctlaftn3 how Il would be possible 10
!eseft btqoest IN their favor II the will
- haa been drawn, Wtich WouId success.