Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-08-20
MY YELLED CLIENT.
now I ESCAPED COMPLETELY IN AN AU-
DACIoUs IMPosTURE.

At the time OF the incident am a
bout TO relate, / was a young solicitor,
with no very considera ble practice, and
therefore not always so discreet as ]
might have been had been able to
pick and chose my clients. My busi'
ness hours were ostensibly from ten to
five but the fact of my house adjoin
ing the office made me subservient to
the wishes of the pullc beyond the
time stated on the brass plate at my Of
fee door. In fact, 1t was generally laf-
ter business hours that my most profit
able clients came and though l say /
refused many time the agency Of
some shady business, still must con-
fess with regret that once or twice |
found myself unwittingly involved in
ransactions which I would have much
rather left alone. One of these / have
occasion to remember too well, and l
can meyer think of it but j thank Prov.
idence for saying me from becoming an
accomplice unwittingly in most auda.
cious piece of imposture
was interrupted one night at tea by
the servant entering and saying that u
lady wished TO see me. Hastily finish
ing the meal, hurried into my bust.
ness room. As entered and bowed,
lady rose, made slight courtesy and
remained standing. begged her to be
seated, and asked of what service [
could be to her. 1t was little time
before she answered, and then it was
in a nervous, frighten I'd way, glancing
round the room as il she were afraid
somebody else was present. 1 saw
that, although she was dressed in good
style, she had not the air of lady, hut,
as she wore thick veil, I could not
distinguish her features, though I made
out gray hair here and there.
"I suppose i had better explain who
am and what I want" she began.
"I am Miss Howard, of Graham
square, and I want you to make out
my will"
started in voluntarily, for this eld-
erly person, though I had never seen
her before, had been the subject Of
many a surmise and many gossip
with the neighbors. She was reported
TO be very wealthy but had apparent
ly abandoned the world, for, during
the last Eve years she had shut herself
up in hei house, seeing no one but her
servants. My curiosity was therefore
piqued at the idea Of making out this
old eccentric's will. Taking up pen,
l asked her to give me the particulars
of how she wished the property dis
posed Of.
"That is very SIMPLE" she said. 81
wish my whole property to 60 to Mr..
David Simpson, of Stafford street here.
I have never been married ; and I
went the Will framed so as to cut off
any heir who might claim relationship
to me. also wish you to act as my
executor in seeing my will carried into
effect"
made note of the instructions +,
and asked when it would be convenient
for her call and sign the ceed.
''If you could have it written out by
tomorrow night, could call then and
sign it. I would like il you could ar
range to haye doctor present to be a
witness to my signing-a young doctor,
If possible" J"
Certainly, madam. Tomorrow W
night at this time will suit, and I will
arrange about doctor being present.
lis there anything else you wish men,
toned in the will p''
"No nothing" she said, rising.
"Bnt be sure You make it 50 as to cut
off all relations.''
assured her everything would be as
she desired and after assisting her in
to the cab which was waiting, noticing
the while that she had slight limp in
Ter walk, I retired to my study to
frame the will in accordance with her
instructions. Next night, punctual TO
minute, she called and as I had a
doctor present, the ceremony of signing
was soon over, the doctor signing as a
witness along with my clerk, and ap-
pending a certificate of sanity, as desir-
ed by my client; and the deed was
consigned to my safe.
The affair had almost completely
passed from my mind, when was star
tied one morning by receiving note
from Mr.. Simpson, the legatee in the
will, informing me that Miss Howard
was dead. Immediately proceeded to
the house, performed the usual duties
deYolving upon solicitor In such cir
cum stances, and made what arrange
| ments were necessary. After the fu-
neral I had meeting with Mr.. Simp-
son, and explained to him the position
| of affairs-that he was sole legatee, aud
that I was executor. He seemed to
take the matter very coolly, thought,