The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-10-12

man Of very stumble OrIglus having IN
fact, Commences life as common
ia5orer, and silas scarcely knew any of
his father relatives. Several Of these
turned up, however, without being in
vited, and Silas resented their presence
very much4 not only beeause he was not
anXious TO claim kinship with them, but
because they would no doubt make par
ticular in uiries about the destination
Of the old mans property.
1t is TO be feared that .Silas suffered
his mind 10 wander good deal from his
cid fathers obsequies
He may have had a soft corner in his
heart for the old mans memory, but
nervousness and apprehension rem
dered it inaccess ible on this oc-
casion. The solemn words of
the burial service fell UNDECIDED
on bis ear, for his mind was disturbed
by the prospect of having to explain to
his relatives thai his father hal died in
testate. His newly discovered kinsmen
were a painfully vulgar and coarse
minded set, and several fragments of
CONVERSATION REFER ny to his fathers
suppose testamentary intentions had
reached him. The idea that the old
man had left will seemed as general
as the eXtravagant notion that each in
diYidual mour ier had been named in it
Though he was guiltless as far as they
were all concerned, Silas Popplewell.
being agitated and unnerved, shrank
from the task of answering their in
quir.es; while he was seized with sud
den terror lest the muse Neeper should
take the opportunity to give utterance
to unpleasant suspicion ars
Whensthe mourners returned to the
house, Mrs. DraycOtt was standing by
the fire place in the sitting room CON
versing with a prim, professional-look-
ink gentleman who. on perceiving
Silas, advanced to meet him, rubbing
his hands.
''Mr. Popplewelf, I believe" he said,
with slight bow.
Yes, replied Silas, uneasily.
You VIII dou tiles know my name
when mention it, " replied the other;
Il am Mr.. Reeves, OF Grays8 Inn
Square,
Silas turned very white and his knees
trcmbled for Mr.. Reeves was the solicitor
who had witnessed the. execution of his
fathers will.
al beg. -yOur pardOn,' he said
falteringly; Il think there must be
some mistake. have not the pleasure
! OF your acquaintance
. imagined your housekeeper wrote
to me by your Instructions, said the
solicitor, slightly embarrassed and
CHANGING at Mrs. Draycott.
. wrote because the late Mr. Pop
plewell told me to in case you did not"
said the woman, looking towards Silas,
defiantIy. He wished the will to be
read at the funeral
VIII what wilIg' exclaimed Silas,
with feigned surprise; and then he
added, as though bracing his nerves for
the ordeal " Pray be seated, gentle
men, and take glass of wine and a
biscuit"
Each person selected chair and sub
sided into it with q good deal of shut
fling of feet and coughing, but no one
accepted the proffered hospitality. The
dead silence which ensued indicated
breathless interest and excitement.
g My father has left no will" assev-
I Grated Silas, taking up his position on
the hearth-rug and endeavoring to speak
calmly.
Il think you are mistaken, Mr.. Pop
plewell,'' said Mr. Reeves, politely but
firmly: . Your father executed a will in
my presence which l prepared for him
about year ago. He certainly has left
will-unless, of course, he has de-
stroyed or otherwise revoked it,
1.-The will is locked up in the iron
box in the study" interposed Mrs
Draycott, with decision.
g repeat that my father has left no
will" cried Silas, angrily. ANY one
| is at liberty to search the iron box if he
likes. AS Mr.. Reeves suggests, my
father destroyed the will"
. don't believe it., exclaimed the
housekeeper, eXcitedly. "Why, [ saw
it with my own eyes not a month ago.
When did he destroy it? Who seed
i'm do it?'' inquired voice from among
| the mourners.
4" He destroyed it in my presence last
let me see-last Thursday week. l
1 fetched it at his request from the iron
/ box, and he put it in the fire of his own
free will," said Silas, lying ghbly.
Though affecting to recall the date
promiscuOusly, Silas had been careful
to prepare this story beforehand. On
the daY named he had sat with his faith
4 err alone for more than an hour during
( the afternoon while Mrs Draycott had
/ been sent out on an GRAND. If the de-
4 ceased had intended to destroy the VIII
/ ho would probably have got the woman
oua of the way on a similar pretence,
and the suggestion was plausible
| enough. The housekeeper gave pal
pablo start, and was evidently i'm
! pressed by the coincidence, but among
( the rest of the audience there was
+ general expression of incredulity, with
/ a good deal of head shaking and some
murmurs.
well, gentlemen, l must say that
| Mr.. Popplewells account is perfectly
straightforward" interposed the law
yer, who. whatever his private opinions
1 might have been, probably thought it
I prudent rs a matter of business to side
I
woke their wills in the manner de-
scribed. If it is any consolation to you,
/ gentlemen, / may mention that as far
! as YOU are concerned the existence of
the will would have made no difference
to YOU
"Win YOU tell us, Mr.. Lawyer, who
will get the money, suppOsing what Mr..
\ Silas says is true" inquired a voice in
an aggrieved tone.
:. Mr.. Popplewell viii inherit every
thing rs neNt-of-kin and heir at-law,"
-Heplied the lawyer,
This information elected loud chO-
rus of indignation, and many insulting
i epithets were leveled at the head OF the
4 luckless Silas, who. pale and trembling,
realized that his triumph was dea "
+ bought, even at the price OF e., 600.
/ Suddenly the strident tones of Mrs.
/ DraYcott became audible above the up
roar. and compelled attention.
The old villain has broke faith with
me, and sneaking scoundrel he al
ways was, and so he died" cried she,
4 speaking under strong excitement.
. But I'm no longer bound to keep his
secret, and / Won | say, Bill AllenP'
she exclaimed, appealing to one of She
mourners, ''you ought to know me,
though IL thirty years and more since
l was supposed to have died. You rec
! olIect Poll Snunders that old Joe Pom