The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-06-20
MIR. MOSSOP'S WILL.
CHAPTER l

CHAPTER l.
 MT. Arthur Goulding is junior partner in the firm of Shut,lew ortt & Goulding solicitors, and is universally respected in his profession as man of the highest in- tegrity. He is in the prime of life, and takes an active part in his business, return ing at the close of each day to his little place at Chelsea, which is adorned by a pretty wife and three chi dren.
 Among the clients of the firm in I86 - was Mir. Abram Nj ossop, of "The Firs," near Chester, who owned some valuable house-property in London, the rents of which the firm collected for him. In the month of October in that year, Mir. Mos sop, who was an old man in failing health wro:e insIucting Messrs. Shustleworth & Goulding to prepare draft of will for his approval. An interview was not neces- sary, for his direcdsns were simple, and his solicitors were we'll acquainted with the details of his affairs. All of his prop erty was to be left to one persona lady, with the exception of legacy of [,5oo to Mir. Goulding, who was to act as sole ex- ecutor, such thorough confidence had MT. Mossop in that gentleman. The draft was duly prepared and submitted by post and finding it satisfactory, MT. Messop requested that the wlll itself might be engrossed as soon as possible, for he was suffering from a dangerous attack of bronchitis, and felt it desirable to have his worldly affiirs settled.
 Though wealthy, he was disappointed man. He was first cousin to Sir Peter Mossop, of Mossop Hall, and h ad always held It as grievance that he had not succeeded to the baronetcy himself in- deed, he barely recognized his relative, whom he regarded as an inierloper. His uncle, the late Sir William, had re. mained bachelor until very late in life, and Abram Mossop had therefore reck- oned on inheriting both the title and the property but, to every ones surprise and Abrams disgust, the old gentleman oas fine day married young country girl of no particlar family, and was subsequent ly blessed with son and daughter, the former being the present Sir Peter. This was bitter disappointment to MT. Mos sop, who was imbued with good deal of vanity, and was very anxious to be the representative of the family, whose title was more than two centuries old. He had been married but his wife died soon after Peters advent, as did also their only son SO that he was quite alone in his de- clining years, and consequently his dis position had become somewhat soured and his habits eccentric.
 There was only one person for whom he seemed to have a sincere liking, and that was a lady, who could hardly be termed relative, being only a second cousin of his wife's; bu, she had shown him muca kindness at the time of his be- reavement, as well as good-natured atten- ton on subsequent occasions. People had said, indeed, that Mrs. Reddie, who was a widow, was setting her cap at Mir. Mossop but if this was the case, she did not succeed. for he showed no inclination to marry second time-or perhaps it was that her four daughters frightened him. However, she was about to reap her reward for it, for it was in her favor that the will was being drawn up and her portionless and loverless daughters would be so no longer. Mir. Mossop was determined that Sir Peter should not have shilling of his money, though legacy would have been very acceptable to that gentleman, whose extravagant habits were likely to ruin him. The property which Abram Mossop was in a position to beq1eath was worth considerably over two thousand pounds a year, besides the residence called The F,rs," which was a valuable house with extensive grounds so it was no wonder that Sir Peter had several times made friendly overtures to him, which, ho vever, were always re- pelled.
 Mrs. Reddie, who was aware of Mir. Mossop's intention to leave her every thing, often wished that he would make his will but, like many other old persons, he appeared to have an objection to do so, and, of course, she could not urge him with propriety. He had deferred it from time to time, until he now found himself prostrated with a serious illness. which caused him to decide on having it done at once. Accordingly. on receipt of his letter, ShuttlewoTth & Goulding had the document prepared, and it was ready for signature early in November. To see that 1t vas properly executed, it was de- sirabie that a representative of the firm should go down to the country with 1t, and MT. Goulding, being the executor. agreed to undertake this duty himself The journey from London to Chester and back can be easily accomplished in day, allowing couple of hours for the trans action of business, and the solicitor de- termined on making sn early stsrt, in order that he might get home the same night With this obj set in view, he set out one morning at o'ciock-an hour earl;sy