The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-11
TIE NEW CLIENT.


being an old.fashioned family solicitor
Of conservative notions, with very IT
spectacle and wealthy connection. Bu
Mr.. John Downing came to him with a
introduction from reliable source, and q
glance Mr.. Parchment was favorabl
impressed with him. He turned out to b
an elderly gentleman somewhat intirnl
with an air OF importance aud quie
dignity, which the lawyer had learnt from
experience to associate with good rent
roll and prediction for. the three.per
cents
MIR. Downing commenced by apologiEin
for the lateness OF the hour he had chosel
for his visit, 1t being then between 81:
and seven o'clock in the evening. oh
serving that the old gentleman wasmutilst
up TO the eyes, and spoke in hoars
whisper, as though he was suffering iron
some affection Of the chest, Mr.. Parch
ment remarked upon the imprudence 0
his venturihg out after dark.
"If it does me any harm shall have L
bear the consequences" replied Mr.. Down
ing, rather sharply. "The fact Is, nobody
knows have come out. At the presn
moment lam supposed to be confined t
my room with bronchitis"
AIr. Parchment opened his eyes at this
but said nothing, while the old gentleman
INDUCED quiet chuckle, which termi
mated in fit OF coughing.
Ill asked our mutual friend, Genera
Turnbull, to introduce me TO solicitor o.
eminence, on whose discretion and iutegri'
ty could rely" said Mr.. Downing when
his cough had ceased. "He gave me a let
ter to you, and have taken the earliest
opportunity OF calling. wish to mako g
fresh will, Mr.. Parchment"
$50 1 anticipated" said the lawyer, who
had guessed what was coming.
II intend to dispose oil my property ina
manner that ny relatives would not ap.
prove 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.. Parchment
dryIy. :, :, ~. !, ,,,,.,,
ness, to act as one OF my executors" said
Mr.. Downing. "Itwill then be your duty
to uphold the will, in case it should be dis
puted."
II hardly think sir, that my business
engagements will permit me to accept the
Office" replied the lawyer, who did moi
relish the prospect Of being made respon'
sible for the yagaries Of an eccentric
testator.
"Isaid, as q matter OF business. OF
course, I,should not ask you to act for moth
ing" said Mr.. Downing; II shall leave you
tivehundred guineas for your trouble, ant
besides that, there will probably be good
deal OF prof, attached TO the winding nj
ofmy estate"
Mr.. Parchment perceived from thiI
speech that he had 10 deal with shrewd
clear headed man, and he IheTef.re lei
les hesitation about complying with hi
wishes. No doubt the legacy and the pros
peCt Of future business had their influence
also, though the lawyer affected to b.
quite indifferent to these Inducements. HI
reflected a moment and then said:
"Well, Mr.. Downing, it will depend, oil
course, on the nature OF these trusts"
There will be no complication, for pro
pose to leave everything to one indiyidu
ILL.," said Mr.. Downing, II may mention
that am bachelor, and my only male
relative is nephew, who has behaved
badly to me, so am determined to disin
herit him."
"If, as you say, the matter is quite
straightforward, / shall have no objec
tiops to act" said Mr.. Parchment, taxing
up his pen and drawing a sheet Of paper
towards him. "Will you give me the nee
essary instructions for your will"
~ leave everything to Edward Alfred
Husketh, and appoint him joint execution
with you" said Mr.. Downing readily.
"And who may Mr.. HuskeIh be?' in
quired the lawyer as he wrote out thenane
"My man-valet. l suppose you oughI
10 cali him." answered the old gentleman
"Dear mew exclaimed Mr.. Parchment
leaning back in his chair. Sand you leave
him everything%
"Yes."
"Absolutely?"
"0f course. You see your duties are
very simple"
"But haveyou considered, Mr.. Downing
man III MS IlOeltlOu
81 know ali that! interrupted the ole
gentleman, testify, chat is what everyone
will say, aud that is why wish lawyer o
responsibility like yourself 10 aCta my ex
ecntor, in order to protect his interests
You will lnd llusEeth very decent Eel
low, well educated, and 30 on, and quite
gentleman enough to make better use OF my
money than my nephew could
Mr. Parchment said no more as 1t wai
unite clear that Mr.. Downing had deliber
ately made up his mind. After all the
lawyer felt no interest in the disinherltet
heir, and he knew instinctively that hit
new client was not a person likely to bt
swayed by impuleeI or to take seriout
step without exercising his judgment. liz
therefore drew up the will according tom
structions, not emitting the legacy to him
sell: and Sir. Downing called land executed
II in due form the following evening, In
sisIinv upon paying The fees on the spot
The viii was conlided to Mr.. Parchment.
care. and the new client took his departure
apparently much relieved in mind.
But the lawyer felt very uncomfortable
when he reflected upon tic matter. The
Idea Of a client bequeathing his property
| to servant, to the exclusion Of his OWL
relatives, was repugnant to Mr.. Parch
ment's old.fashioned notions OF justice anc
decorum; and his conscience Bmote hin
for not having protested. more strongly
against such disposition. To ease hi
mind, he resolved to call upon old Mr.
| Downing and make an eiTart TO induce hin
to modify his will in favor OF the nephew
but Ibis project was the outcome Of severn
weeks uneasy reflection, aud, in accord
aace with the legal propensity for procrasti
nation, he put oirhisvi,i from day to day
until he was shocked and startled to hea
Of The death OF the object Of his solicitude
MIR. Parchment was too practical 10 wor
ny himself with vain regrets, and he there
| fore at once proceeded to discharge the dn
lies imposed upon him by the will. h.
found the fortunate legatee a sleek, clean
sbayen, quiet hammered, middle.aged in
diyidual, answering very we'll to his lat
employers description Of him. Mr.. Hus
keith expressed mild surprise when the i'm
| ,,orta nj rewR WAS communicated TO him