The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-10-17
Selfrt Stury.
Old Popplewell's Will.

It was a great shock to the feelings of
Mr.. Silas Popplewell to discover that bis
father bad bequeathed legacy of e.
600 to his housekeeper, certain Mrs
Draycott. The woman had entered the
old mans service only about year be.
fore his death, and if there had been any
thing remarkable in her demeanor to-
ward him it consisted Of rather scant
courtesy and want of attention. She had
never apparently made the slightest at
attempt to ingratia'e herself with her
master, who, on his part, bad always
seemed to regard his attendant with calm
indifference. But Silas felt doubly ag.
grieved because his father had scrupu-
lously concealed from him that he had
made a will, leaving him 10 believe that
he was bound to inherit everything as
next of kin and heir at law.
Silas Popplewell came across the will
quite unexpectedly while going through
the old mans papers a lew hours after
bis decease The document appeared to
be perfectly legal and had evidently been
prepared by solicitor, whose name was
appended as one of the witnesses to the
testator's signature. Except the legacy
10 the housekeeper 1t left everything to
Silas Popplewell and appointed him sole
executor. Considering that old Joseph
Popplewel was repured to be wealthy
man most persons in Silas' position
would not have suffered the unexpected
legacy TO disturb their equanimity. But
Silas Popplewell was one of those mean,
erasping, avaricious individuals who can
moi hear the thought of losing anything
He considered he was both legally and
MOI ally entitled to the whole of his fa-
theirs property and regarded the legacy
to Mrs. Draycott as fraud upon his
just rights He was, therefore, over
whelmed with rage and disappointment
and worked himself into perfect fever
of virtuous indignation
In the midst of his tribulation it sud-
denly occurred to him that but for the
sheet Of paper which he held in his hand
he would he a richer man by f2,000
sterling. This eminently practical view
of the situation aroused his worst pas
sions and he soon found himself won
dering what would probably happen il
the will were not forthcoming. Suppo-
sing, for instance, he we're to leave the
document where he found it and say
nothing to anybody! The chances were
he thought, that the housekeeper would
believe he had revoked it, assuming she
had ever been aware of its existence
while it was qui e 10 'sible, considering
his late fathers habitual reticence con
cerning his affairs, that the woman sus.
pected nothing. II the worst happened
and q hue and cry we're raised, the wil
could be conveniently found; or better
still, who could gainsay him if be wert
to declare boldly that his father had de
liberately destroyed the will in his pres
ence!
Such insidious reflections as these ar,
apt to blunt a mans moral perceptions
especially when he is labcring under {
keen sense OF il justice. Sllas Porple
wells standard of morality was not
high one, and he would any day soone
have done shabby trick than lose six
pence. The cons' quence was that afte
Ii tie hesitation he yielded to an uncon
iro'lab!e impulse and consigned the oh
noxious will to the flames.
When the paper was reduced to ashe
Silas suddenly awoke to the fact that h
had committed a felony and rendered
himself liable to penal servitude. H.
urned deadly pale when he thought o
this disagreeahle contingency and for
moment was inclined to repent OF wha
he had done. But when he reflected tha
his wicked act had not been witnesse'
by any mortal eyes, while the only evi
dence of his guilt--the charred papers
was rapidly disappearing up the chimney
he soon recovered his spirits Havin!
waited patiently until there was no lon
ger any trace left even of the ashes o
the will, he locked up the strong box i
which he had found it and left the room
feeling tolerably easy in his mind.
Nothing occurred during the next FEY
lays 20 arouse Silas Popplewell's appre
tensions and as he was not troubled wit
conscience he began TO congratulat
himself upon the decisive step be ba
taken. The housekeeper went abou; be
duties as usual and did not seem t
/, trouble her head as to whether her mas
ter had left a will or not, from whic
Silas gathered with heartfelt satisfaciio
that she knew nothing about her Legacy
He could not refrain, however, frol
watching her furtively, knowing what b
. did of his fathers intentions toward he
She was vulgar, illiterate, elderly We
man, singularly devoid of personal a
traction and apparently not possessed {
{ much intelligence. While striving