The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-07-26

NO ohoWcIcu, SlOWiy WlpiuS HIS lOIo-
head. ''She did not burn it here, as
you say the fire was out. She might
keep it to see how things would turn
out. 1t gives her $4,000 too"
"Ah, does it,, Wait a moment. Does
it reallyP Well, then, we can get it
back by a bold stroke. I'm with you
in this, Mr.. Ford. 1t gets interesting.
The first will, which must be proved if
the last be not found, gives the house.
keeping cousin ~two-thirds, about ESQ.,
eoo, say; the later and missing will
gives her $4,000. But suppose one
were-only suppose--one were to turn
up between the tive aud give her moth
ing, ehsn
"Ne CHANGER said the lawyer; az
don't think 1 quite follow you "
~ can explain in two Words. You
See"
But as the two words heightened
themselves to two hundred, as two
words always do, Ineed not go through
any of our conversation. Its drift
will be guessed by the sagaeious reader.
At parting, "It's rather a serious
thing, you know said the lawyer, rue
fully:
Eyes" 1 answered, mischietouslS;
sits five years."
We were assembled in the dead mans
dying room in Gloucester Road to hear
The will read. 1t may seem odd that !
should have been present at this merely
family matter, but the fact is that l,
John Warrington, of the Inner Temple,
bafrister-at-law, was not. A silent and
humble gentleman, with a beard and
glasses, with also aseedy coat and boots
to match, and a habit Of taking snuff
surreptitiously yet with acertain amount
of estehtation, was present. But he was
merely Mr.. Ford's clerk, and if his
figure and face were not familiar sights
in the offices of Messrs. Ford, Ford &
Bittle, why MI. Ford had a right to en-
gage a special clerk Tor business of so
confidential a nature as this. There
were not many present. The tall,
gracious, almost queenly woman sitting
near the fire with her back to the light
and q large black. fan id her hand is
Miss Chilling, third cousin to the de-
eeased," as the newspapers would say.
The fair nervous girl by the table is
Miss Give Greathead; observe that her
pale face fiushes a little as she shakes
hands with ''our Mr.. Ford" In the
background are old Humphreys, the
clerk, and several servants.
al have two wills here which I think
/ ought I'd read" says the lawyer,
softly, taking seat at the end of the Ia
BILE. 1.-The first is dated 1879, the Sec
ond about a year back. A third will
was made within the last six months,
but I regret to say that our poor friend
must have destroyed it, intending, of
this l have 10 doubt, to make another
Id its place. In the midst of life, we are
yes, indeedr'
Having uttered this in low but clear
tones, he takes from mel mean from
the clerk, who produces them from his
Black bag-some papers, and proceeds
in more business-like tones, to read the
''last will and testament of Jonathan
Greathead, of Gloucester Road, in the
County of Middlesex, and of Hare Court,
the Temple, in the City of London,
barrister-at-law."
'sThe purport is this" said he, after
the usual flood of verbiage had passed
for the most part harmlessly over our
heads, ''that the bulk of the testator's
estate would go to his cousin, Miss
Chilling, and a share, very much small
CT, but still considerable, to Miss Great
head. In one respect 1 very much re-
greet that my task does not end with
this will"
Then we all listen to another lastwill
and testament, and a fresh current of
than the last, however, is let loose upon
safely assert, feels on the rack, and
Miss Chilling's fan never stays but flut-
tiers, now slowly, now with a sudden
impetus. And no wonder; her fortune
of $4,000 is swept away as by a stroke
of the pen, and a miserable $500 all
that is given her instead. Of the resi-.
due, after payment of certain legacies
to the servants, clerks and others, the
whole is given to Miss Greathead.
When he ceased, the woman by the fire
rose grandly to her full height.
s'This is not the final arrangement
our friend intended to make; so much ]
know; it is a sad lesson of the danger
of representation even in the wisest Of
u.s. Thus Mr.. Ford, in a low, apollo.
getic tone, busy with the paper.
80, Edith, [ am very sorry!" Miss
Greathead had risen, too, and put hel
hand upon the elder woman's shoulder
The servants were filing out. Mis-:
Chilling pushed the other aside, no
cruelty, but as if she were in the way
"The will! show me the will, she
said, in hoarse, low tones, holding GU
one white hand imperatively. Mr.. Fort
handed it to her without a word. She
took it to the window and examined i
carefully. Wonderful as under the cir
cumstances was her self-command, on
could hear the paper rustic in her shak
ing hands. In a moment she faced us
stYou did not draw this will?"
"No,"M Mr.. Ford answered, n~ervously
''he took, | suppose, other advice. The
attesting witnesses are Mr.. Warrington
who, you may be aware, has chambers
had, | should say-with the SERGEANT
and the laundress, who died somt
months go. So it is evident that 1
was made at chambers"
There was an uncomfortable silence
for a moment. Then Miss Chilling
crossed the room and rang the belt
sIs Mr.. Humphreys still here ?" sh'
said to the servant.
eyes, Miss"
"Ask him to come to me, if yo,
please"
.My clerk shall fetch him." cried Mr.
Ford, hastily, with a glance first at tn,
servant, and then at his unprepossess
ing follower.
mo" said Miss Chilling, impera
lively. We all stood still and listened
to the clock ticking solemnly, till thu
old clerk appeared.
.Humphreys,' she said, with /;
strange yearning in her tone, a sudder
softening, as it were" please to exam
inc this signature, and tell me if it il
your late masters"
He was her last hope.
The old man slowly took out and pu
on his glasses. Miss Greathead, ner
vous and frightened, covered il
the window seat. Mr.. Ford looked
steadily into the fire. L fancy he saw
there a short law report, headed: I'll
the matter of Charles Henry Ford, gen
tlemaRs one, etc." OF it might be NOR
T :