The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-01-12
SELECT STORY.
A FRESH WILL.
OR, MR.. PARCHMENr's NEW CLIENT

distrust, being an old fashioned famil,
solicitor of conservative notions, with
a very respectable and wealthy oonnec
ton. But John Downing came to him
with an introduction from a reliable
source, and at glance Mr.. Parchment
was favorably impressed with him. He
turned out to be an elderly gentleman,
somewhat infrm, with an air of impor.
tauce and quiet dignity, which the law
yer had learned from experience to as
sociate with good rent roll and a
pedilcclion for the three per cents.
Mr. Downing commenced by apollo
gizing for the lateness of the hour he
had chosen for his visit, it being be-
tween and 7 o'clock in the evening.
Observing that the old gentleman was
mufl1ed up to the eyes, and spoke in a
hoarsc whisper, as though he was suf-
fering from some affection of the chest,
Mr.. Parchment remarked upon the i'm
purdence of his venturing out after
dark.
"1f it does me any harm l shall have
to bear the consequences replied Mr.
Downing very sharply. "The fact is
nobody knows | have come out. At
the present moment / am supposed to
be confined to my room with bron-
chitis."
Mr.. Parchment opened his eyes at
this, but said nothing, while the old
gentleman INDUCED in a quiet chuckle,
which terminated in fit of coughing.
'T-I asked our mutual friend, Gen
eral Turnbull, to introduce me to a So
licitor Of eminence, on whose discretion
and integrity l could rely" said Mr..
Downing, when his cough ceased. "He
gave me a letter to you, and / have
taken the earliest opportunity of
calling. Iwish to make a fresh will,
Mr. Parchment"
$50 anticipated" said the lawyer,
who had guessed what was coming.
81 intend to dispose of my property
in a manner that my relatives would
not approve of, )" continued Mr.. Down
ing, "and therefore wish to have my
will drawn by gentleman of eminence
and standing in the legal profession"
ga wise precaution said Mr.. Parch-
ment dryly.
/" shall also ask you, as a matter of
business, TO act as one of my executors,
said Mr.. Downing. at will then be
your duty to uphold the will in case it
should be disputed" "
81 hardly think, sir, that my business
engagements will permit me to accept
the office replied the lawyer, who did
not relish the prospect of being1made
responsible for the vagares of an &c
centric testator.
81 SAID, as matter of business. OF
course | should not think of asking YOU
to act for nothing said Mr.. Downing;
81 will leave you 500 guineas for your
trouble, and besides that there will pro.
badly be good deal of profit attached
to the winding up ofmy estate"
Mr. Parchment perceived from this
speech that he had to deal with a
shrewd, clear headed man, and he there
fore felt less hesitation about comply
ing with his wishes. No doubt the lie
gacy and the prospect of future bust
ness had lheirin influence also, though the
lawyer affected to be quite Indifferent to
these inducements. He reflected few
moments, and then said F:
'Well, Mr.. Downing, it will depend,
OF course, on the nature of the trusts"
"There will be no complication, for
propose to leave everything to one indi-
vidual,' replied Mr.. Downing. 81
mention that | am bachelor, and my
only near relation is a nephew, who has
behaved badly to me, so am deter
mined to disinherit him.
"lf, as you say, the matter is quite
straightforward, shall have no obiec.
ton to act, said Mr.. Parchment, taking
up his pen and drawing up sheet of
paper towards him. "Will you give
me the necessary instructions for your
will ?"
81 leave everything to Edward Alfred
Husketh, and | appoint him executor
with you" said Mr. Downing, read
lily.
Sand who may Mr.. Husketh be ?"
inquired the lawyer, as he wrote down
the name.
"My man-valet, l suppose you
ought to call him." answered the old
gentleman.
"Dear me !" exclaimed Mr. Paich-
ment, leaning back IN his chair. ''And
you leave him everything p
"Yes."
absolutely ?"
"Of course. You see your duties will
be very simple"
'But have you considered, Mr.. Down
ing a man in his position
II know all that /" interrupted the
old gentleman, testify shat is what
every one vii! say, and that is why |
wish lawyer of rcspeciabiity like
yourself to act as my executor, 10 order
to protect his interests, You will find
Husketh very decent fellow, well edu-
Gated aud so on and quite gentleman
enough to make better use ofmy 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
disjnherited heir, and he knew instinc-
lively that his new client was not per
son likely TO be swayed by impulse or
to take a serious thought without exer-
cising his judgment, He therefore
drew up the will according to instruc
tions, not emitting the legacy to him
self ;and Mr., Downing called and exc
cuted it in due form the following even.
ing, insisting upon paying the fees on
the spot The will was coniid ed to Mr..
Parchment's care, and the new client
took his departure, apparently much re-
lieved in his mind,
But the lawyer felt very uncomfor-
table whei he reflected upon the mat
ter, The dea of client b equeathinp
his property to servant, to the exclu-
sion of his own relatives, was repug.
nant to Mr., Parchments old fashioned
notions of justice and decorum, and
his conscience smote him for not hay-
ing protested more strongly against such |
a disposition, To ease his mind he re- |
solved to call upon Mr.. Downing and