The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-09-09

Downing, rather sharply. "The facti is,
! nobody knows l have come out. At
the present moment am supposed to
be confined to my room with bron-
chitis."
Mr.. Parchment opened his ewes at
this, but said nothing, while the old
gentleman INDUCED in quiet chuckie
which terminated in fit of coughing
I'll asked our mutual friend, Gen
eral Turnbull, TO introduce me to a So
licitor of eminence, on whose discretion
and integrity / could rely" said Mr..
Downing, when his cough had ceased.
"He gave me letter to you, and |
have taken the earliest opportunity of
calling. | wish to make fresh will,
Mr.. Parchment.
$50 anticipated, said the lawyer,
who had guessed what was coming.
q intend to dispose of my property
in manner that my relatives would not
approveof," continued Mr.. Downing,
land therefore | wish to have my will
drawn by gentleman of eminence and
standing in the legal profession"
"a wise precaution," said Mr.. Parch-
ment, dryly. --...
g | shall also ask you, as matter of
business, toact as one of my executors"
said Mr.. Downing. at will then be
your duty to uphold the will, in case it
should be disputed.
Il hardly think, sir, that my bust
ness engagements will permit me to ac-
cept the office, replied the lawyer, who
did not relish the prospect of being
made responsible for the vagaries of an
eccentric testator.
- | said, as a matter of business. OF
course, l should not think OF asking you
to act for nothing" said Mr.. Downing.
Il will leave you five hundred guineas
for your trouble, and besides that, there
will probably be good deal of profit
attached to the winding up OF my es-
tate"
Mr.. Parchment perceived from this
speech that he had to deal with a
shrewd, clear-headed man, and he
therefore felt less hesitation about COM
| plying with his wishes. No doubt the
legacy and the prospect of future bust
ness had their influence also, though
the lawyer affected to be quite indiffer-
ent to these inducements. He reflected
a few moments and then said:
"Well, Mr.. Downing, it will depend,
OF course, upon the nature of the
trusts"
There will be no complication, for
| propose to leave everything to one
individual replied Mr. Downing. 81
may mention that am bachelor, and
my only near relation is nephew, who
has behaved badly to me, SO | am de-
termined to disinherit him.
eff, as you say, the matter is quite
raightforward. shall have no obiec-
ton to act" said Mr.. Parchment, tax
ing up his pen and drawing sheet of
paper toward him. s'sWill YOU give me
the necessary instructions for your
willp"
Il leave everything to Edward Alfred
Husketh, and appoint him joint exec
utor with YOU" said Mr.. Downing,
rreadily. q I nj o a. ~ -
u s'And iwho may MIR. Husketh be?''
inquired the lawyer, as he wrote down
| the name.
my man-valet, suppose you
ought,to call him. answered the old
gentleman. .r.i. I.., ....
4" Dear mer' exclaimed Mr.. Parch-
ment,, leaning back in his chair. "And
you leave him everythingr
4" Yes" I'll
Absolutely"
"Of course. You see your duties will
be very simple" - ',,t.
But you have considered, Mr..
DowningP A man in his position" q
So know all thatp' Interrupted the
old gentleman, testify; " that is what
every one will say, and that is why L
wish lawyer Responsibility like your
self to act as my executor, in order to
! protect his interests. You will find
Husketh very decent fellow, well ed
ucated, and so on, and quite gentleman
enough to make better use of my money
than my nephew could"
Mr. Parchment said no more, as it
was quite clear that Mr.. Downing had
deliberately made up his mind. After
all, the lawyer felt no interest in the
disinher.ted heir, and he knew instinct
lively that his new client was not a per-
son likely to be swayed by impulse, or
to take a serious step without exercising
his judgment He therefore drew up
the Will according to instructions, not
omitting the legacy to himself; and Mr..
Downing called and executed it in due
form the following evening, insisting
upon paying the fees on the spot. The
will was confided to Mr.. Parchment's
care, and the new client took his de-
parture,, apparently much relieved in
his mind.
But the lawyer felt very uncomforta
BILE when he reflected upon the matter.
The idea OF a client bequeathing his
property to servant, to the exclusion
OF his own relatives, was repugnant to
Mr., Parchments old-fashioned notions