The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-11-03
The SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1888.
MY YELLED CLIENT.

At tbe time of the incident am about
to relate, ] was young solicitor, with
no verv considerable practice, and there
f,re not always so discreet as | might
have been, bad | been able to pick and
choose my clients.
NV, business hours were ostensibly
from ten to i've; but the fact OF my
house adjoining the Office made me sub
-ervient TO the wishes of the public be-
vond the time stated on the brass plate
at nv offlce.door. In fact, it was gen.
erallv after business hours that my most
pro Cftable clients came; and though can
say rt fused many time the agency OF
some shady business, still, 1 must con.
fess with regret that once or twice ]
found myself unwit,ingly involved in
Transactions which l would have mnch
rather ltf alone. One of these / have
occasion to remember too well. and
can never think of it but | thank Provi.
dence Tor saving me from becoming an
accomplice unwittingly in must daring
piece Of imposture
was interrupted one night ct tea by
the servant entering and saving that a
lady wished to see me. Hss'ily finish
ing the meal, ! hurried TO ny business
room. As entered and howed, lady
rose, made a slight courtesy, and re
msined standing. lhegged her TO he
seated, and asked OF what service could
be to her. 1t was little time before
she answered, and then 1t Vas In o ner.
vous, frightened way, elancing round
the room a. If she we're afraid some
hody else was present. ] saw that, al-
though she was dressed in good styie'
she had MT the cir OF a lady; but as
she wore a thick vel, l could not dis
tinguish her features, though l made out
a gray hsir here and there
II suppose had better explain who
am and what want she began. II am
Miss Howard OF Graham Square, and
want YOU to make out nv WILL.
l started iuvoluntaIily, for this e'd'riy
persou. though l had never seen ber De-
fore, had been the subject OF many
surmise and many gossip with ths
neighhors. She was reported to be very
!. wealthy; but had apparently abandones
the world, for, during the last i've years
she had shut herself up in her house
;. seeing NO one but her servants. M!
curiosity was therefore piqned at tn
iiea # making out this old ecceutric'
will. Taking up pen, asked her t
give me the particulars Of how she wish
|. ed the property disposed Of.
S THAT is very simple" she said. :"
s wish nv whole property TO GO to MI
Davit Simpson of Stafford Street here
I have never heen married; and wan
Y the will framed so as to cut off any hei
N who might claim relationship 10 me. !.
s also wish you to act as my executor !
seeing my will carried into effect"
S made note OF the instructions, an
n asked when it would he convenient fc
Is her to call and sign the will
"If you could have it written out b
Tomorrow night, could call then an
sien it. l would like if you could a
range to have doctor present to be
wi ness to my signing-a young docto
if possible"
l3 "Ce,tainly, madam. Tomorrow nig'
D5 at this time will suit, and / will arrans
90 TO have doctor present. Is there mott
q ing else you wish mentioned in the will
30 ono; nothing" she said, rising "B
he sure YOU mako it go as to cut of
relations"
assured her ever y'bing would be
she desired; and sfer assisting b
into the cab which was waiting, noticiI
the while that she had slight limp
her walk, retired to nv room to frau
the will in accordance with my instru
ions. Next night, punctual to minu
she called and as l bad doctor presel
the ceremouv of signing was soon ov'
the doctor signing IS witness alo
pm with my clerk, and appending CERT
pm cate of sanity. ss desired bv my clier
pun and the deed was consigned 10 my 50
The affair mad almost completely p'
sed from my mind. which was startl
one morning by receiving noie fr;
Mr.. Simpson the legatee in the will.
forming me that Miss Howard was de-
Immediately proceeded to The hou
reformed the usual duties devolvi
upon a solicitor in such circumstanc
aud made what arrangements we're nee
sary After the funeral, / had me
ing with Mr.. Simpson. and explained
- him the position OF affairs--thst be
=. sole lega,ee, aud that l was execut
r He seemed to take the matter very COO
= l thought, but was anxious that eve
thing should be realized as soon as p
sibe Our interview was very sho
and came away with strong feeling
dislke for the man, who. found,
acted as a sort of factor for the decea
lady.
Ac,ing within the du'iss OF my
10. ocutorship, and also with desire TO
= Is out il possible the relations the old Il
3 no had been go anxious to cut off, iuser
s as a notice of her. death in most OF
: IS leading newspapers in the kingdom. I
5 So had the desired effect; for in the cou
0s of few days was waited upon b,
! 20 Young gentleman. Edward Howard,
= 90 90 informed me be was nephew of the
w. Miss Howard, snd had called upon
7l5 having got my name and address II
, Is one Of the newspaper to which
Z 81 sent the advertisement. @
Z 753 During nov interview with Mr.. HI
ard, l was much impressed with
Buy hearing on nv telling him The posi-
~ ~ of affairs. as he was much more {
cerned at his aunt's death than at purI
- of her will. HI told me that five y
.spun ,spm ago be had married agsinst his au
,opm wishes: she had refused to recog
= his wife; and though he had written
several letters, he bad never heard I
her IN reply. He thanked me for
~ % information, and SAID be would lik
nm see me again, as be was coming
. l so town to situation be had just been
2 03 fered.
2 20 Some weeks after this, as was
2 40 turning home in the evening from
sultation, my attention was arrested
- - the 6gure OF woman in front OF
She was hurry ing along as II tryin
r R. escape observation (: but there was 6
St L. thing 10 her style and the limp v
on c. she bad, that struck me as fam