The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-01-18
A MISPLACED KINDNESS.

On tho death of Colonel LakinS no
one was more surprised at his not hay
ing left will than Mr.. Alfred Laking,
his nephew and hor. at-law. That gen
tlGman had the best reasons for know
ing that his uncle was not we'll disposed
toward HMM fact, tho Colonel had
refused to have anything to do with him
1or some years past. The truth was
that Alfred Laking was once guilty OF
IN act OF meanness, which his uncle
never forgavc, and, therefore, the fort
innate heir had not expected to benefit
by his unclo's death. But oven out
siders, who knew nothing Of the cause
OF estrangement between the Colonel
and his nephew, were amazed ut tho old
gentleman dying intestate. He had so
frequently expressed his determination
OF preventing his nephew from succeed
ing to his property, and had made SO
many wills at different times with that
object, that his inteStaov caused Uni.
Versal astonisNment 1t was generally
supposed that his somewhat sudden
death had frustrated his tcstamentary
intentions, or else that, at the last mo-
ment, he had realized the force of the
old adago that blood is thicker than
Water, and had been content to permit
his nephew to inherit by the ordinary
course Of law.
But while Mr.. Alfred Lakng received
the congratulations of his friends with
eequanimity, and apparently acquicsced
IN the general opinion that he was q
very lucky individual, he did not by any
means feel secure of his inheritance.
HIS natural cunning, and his mean, sus-
plclous nature suggested tho idea that
his uncle had not failed to take due pre-
Dll0rl ho
gency which had happened. He did not
believe for an instant that the old mans
feelings had softened toward him in his
last moments, any sentiment approach
ing magnanimity being beyond tho mar
row limits OF his moral perceptions. In
his heart of hearts he felt convinced
that there was q will in existence, and
that he owed his inheritance TO the ac
cidental circumstance of the document
having been mislaid or overlooked.
But though this forcboding possessed
him so strongly that it amounted almost
to moral certainty. he took no steps to
verify his suspicious. On the contrary
he carefully rcfrained from doing any
thing of the kind. Ho did, indeed,
Stealthily and in secret scrutinize his
unclo's papers, destroying all those
which contained suspicious memoran-
da. But he omitted to take tho obvi-
Gus course of advertising in the newspa
pers, or applying to tho various legal
gentlemen whose services to his knowl-
edge-his uncle had from time to time
employed. Ho thought it possible
probable, in fact-tRat one Of these
might be in possession Of will; but he
could never summon up couEage to ask.
da Kept the fact of the old mans death
as quiet as possible. not even annOunc.
ing the event in the daily papers. He
employed a strange solicitor to perform
tne legal work connected with the ad.
ministratlon OF tho estate. and. in short
way. - 0''iJ
f0r the hrst few months of his uncle's
ue"Cn ne was perpetua!ly haunted by
the dread that his elaborate prccamtioII
would be thrown away; butwhcn + wear
mad passed he began to breathe more
ueelY' The chances were, he thought,
that, if will existed, it would have
turned up by this time, or else it would
probably rot away in its hiding place.
Thus by degrees the phantom con;urcd
ap Iy his pusillanimous imagination be.
came less appalling, until one day his
anxiety was revived by a very ominous
incident.
A shabbily dressed, middle.aged man
called upon him, and said he had an i'm.
portant communication to make. He
gave the name of Crumber, and Alfred
Laking then recollected that he was a
clerk in the Office of the solicitor whom
he had employed to wind up his uncle 8
estate, This circumstance seemed re-
assuring, for Alfred Lakin9 naturally
supposed the man had been sent with
some message from his master relating
20 business matters.
II presume Mr.. Baker asked you to
calip' he said, nervously. ..
No, sir; the fact is left Mr.. Baker s
office some months ago. am at pres
snt in another situation" replied the
man,
What is your business, thenp' in.
4quired Mr. Laking, with increased un-
easiness.
u suppose we are quite alone, sir,
'fYou can speak out, though cannot
imagine what you can have to say that
is so oinaportant. = returned Mr. LalSing,
glancing to SEQ that the door was
IlnsAI - ~ sa
lgFhen flest Nj. Bakers oflioe Itoos