Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-09-08

II INTEND 10 dispose OF my properly
in a manner that my relatives would not
approve of" continued Mr.. Downing,
''and therefore l wish to have my will
drawn by gentleman of eminence and
standing in the legal profession"
"A wise precaution," said Mr.. Parch-
ment, dryly.
II shall also ask you, as matter of
business, to act as one of my executors"
said Mr.. Downing. 1T will then be
your duty to uphold the will, in case it
should be disputed"
- hardly think, sir, that nv busi-
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.
Il said. as a matter of business. Of
course, 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 a 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
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 l am de-
termined to disinherit him"
eff, as you say, the matter is quite
| straightforward. shall have no obiec-
ton to act" said Mr.. Parchment, tax
ing up his pen and drawing a sheet OF
paper toward him. ''Will you give me
the necessary instructions for your
will?''
Il leave everything to Edward Alfred
Husketh, and appoint him joint exec
utor with you," said Mr.. Downing,
readily.
''And who may Mr.. Husketh bep'
inquired the lawyer, as he wrote down
the name.
my man-valet, 1 suppose you
ought to call him." answered the old
gentleman.
dear mer' exclaimed Mr.. Parch.
ment. leaning back in his chair. "And
you leave him everythingp'
Yes"
Absolutely"
"Of course. You see your duties will
be very simple"
"But you have considered, Mr..
Downing? A man in his position"
IL know all thatr' interrupted the
old gentleman, testify; THAT is what
every one will say, and that is why
wish lawyer of Responsibility like your
self to act as my executor. in order to
protect his interests. You will find
Husketh a 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 il
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, OF
to take serious step without exercising
his Judgment. He therefore drew UP
the will according to instructions, not
emitting 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
care, and the new client took his de.
parture,. apparently much relieved in
his mind.
But the lawyer felt very uncomforta a.
bic when he reflected upon the matter.
The idea OF client bequeathing his
property TO servant, to the exclusion
OF his own relatives, was repugnant to
Mr.. Parchment's old-fashioned notions
OF justice and decorum; and his con-
science smote him for not having pro-
tested more strongly against such a dis
position. To ease his mind, he resolved
to call upon old Mr.. Downing, and
make an effort to induce him to modify
his will in favor of the nephew; but this
project was the outcome of several
weeks uneasy reflection, and in accord.
ance with the legal propensity for pro-
craStination, he put off his visit from
day to day, until he was shocked and
startled to hear of the death of the OBJ
ject of his solicitude.
Mr.. Parchment was too practical to
worry himself with vain regrets, and he
therefore ut once proceeded to discharge
the duties imposed upon him by the
will. He found the fortunate legatee a
sleek, clean-shaven, quiet hammered,
middle aged individual, answering very
well TO his late masters description OF
him. Mr.. Husketh expressed mild sur
prise when the important news was
communicated to him. but showed nc
emotion whatever. Though he treated
Mr.. Parchment with respectful defer
ence. the lawyer could see that he in
tended to manage his own affairs, and
was not likely TO develop into a tracta-
bic. confiding client. Perhaps it wa:
owing to circumstances that Mr.. Parch-
ment conceived strange aversion &c
his co-executor-so much so. that he
did not feel very Loyalty disposed to
wards him.