Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-13

smart. Inc MIDAS shalt WaS NOU feet
deep in solid porphyry.
Spo0ner went away and made the
round OF the saloons. lie had no col
lateral, and he knew his credit was
under a cloud too dense to be lifted
by any legitimate lever. At last he
strolled into the store of principal
trader-we will call his name Ketch-
um-and mildly said: "Ketchum.
when you can spare me few minutes
tine | want to see you" "All right;
what is it9" said Ketchum, shortly.
II want to tell you" said Spooner.
solemnly, that though I look rugged.
the doctors tell ne l have an incur
able heart disease; that while I may
live for several months / may ct any
lime be seized with fatal spasm, es
pecially if l become excited, and /
want you to write my will" Wonder
ingly Ketchum asked: What in the
world have you to dispose OFF" II
have law ahinga said Spooner, 50 l.
ly; won't you do q little thing like
that for an old friend?" Certainly"
said Ketchum, and going to his desk,
he drew out a sheet Of foolscsp and
commenced to write as follows: II.
Moses Spooner, of SO and so, being
of infrm body but of sound mind.
do" etc. "Now about the property"
said Ketchum. Spoener waited mo
ment, until he could properly control
himself, then said; IL desire that my
one half interest in the Big Fissure be
sold and the proceeds, after all debts
and charges are paid, be sent to my old
mother, Patience Spooner, in Pike
county, Mo-" Ketchum put it down
SpoOner continued: my undivided
one third interest in the Lame Duck
| wish to have sold, and, after paying
$1,000 to your head clerk, Jones, (he is
a friend Of mine), send the rest to nv
mother with instructions that il be
paid to Missouri Price, also of Pike +"
Then with increased emotion, he said.
"She would before this have been
my wife, but | could not think oil
the dear girl my nurse"
Spooner continued to dispose of his
property and finally said: THAT is all |
except $4,000 which | have in the -
bank at Salt Lake City. Put down
$4,000 to your little daughter Nellie,
Mr. Ketchum, the other $4,000 to your,
self. Also add that | appoint you and
your clerk, Jones, my executors to
serve without bond" Then he
went on by himself, took a seat on a
barrel: and for some moments buried |
his face in his hands. Ketchum called
J ones to the desk, had him COPY on
legal cap the will in a neat, clerky
hand, called up Spooner and two wit
nesses, had the will signed, sealed and
folded the paper, placed it
in large envelope, had the envelope
superseded and laid away
carefully in the safe. Then said |
ketchun: "Spooner, let us take lit
lie drink for old friendship s sake"
L cannot" said Spooner. "You
know my weakness. The doctors saw
one drink might kill me, and a pro.
iracted spree would be sure to-"
A light shone in Ketchum's eyes
The doctors be bowed" said he
One drink would not hurt any man,
You are low spirited this morning
5pooner, come and brace up" After
'he necessary resistance Spooner
Yielded and got outside of rouser.
How is that2" asked Ketchum.
opooner admitted that he felt no bad
Effects, that, indeed, it made him
better. He took another. He kent
aking them. He drank all day and
hight at intervals. Ketchum and |
ones alternated in supplying him.
de kept on for two weeks, but no
Of the fatalspasm manifested |
tself. At last one afternoon he lay
'rone asleep on some boot boxes when
physician came in. Ketcbum asked |
he man of science to examine him
md see if he had symptoms of heart
rouble. The doctor complied. He
cit his wrist put his ear to his breast;
cit his wrist again and said: He has
heart like an OK; it is beating like
rip hammer and as regular as the
troke of steam engine"
Spooner was kicked out, and |
Aetchum and Jones figured up his
.ccount. 1t amounted to 1868. Next
morning Spooner came in with his
nerves on edge and wanted drink. |
de was kicked out again. The next
lay he was raving with delirium
remens. and the men about town com.
,elled Ketchum to send him with
Nurse and physician down to the
pringS, twenty miles away. That day
} Toe, the owner of the mine, came down
own, and ketchum tremblingly in.
luired how much was due to Spooner
N the books Of the mining company.
It's the other way" said IJoe. II
bought him suit Of clothes, paid a
back board bill in Salt Lake, and paid |
lis way up here, and he still owes me |
something like $40" Spooner recov-
cred, but he gets no more accommoda.
ions Of Ketchum, aud when any man
lsks Ketchum how to write up his |
will he drops all other business, picks |
up pick handle, and his eyes take on |
, dangeroua olora