Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-04-15
The Rest Policy.

The Best Policy.
Curious cases in my profession? Oh,
yes, plenty. I often smile to myself
when [ find the novelist taking up old
family incidents and working them
up into stories, aud then l think of
what plots I could have furnished if
they had not been family secrets Of a
private and thoroughly confidential
character.
Wills, now for instance. What a
favorite stock subject they form with
writers both for books and plays,
and don't wonder at it, for if there
is anything that excites peoples curl
osity it is the question how some rich
mans money is to be distributed. I've
seen some curious scenes in families
over the reading of a will; the delight
of some, who have expected mourn
ing ring for their share, when they
have found something very substan-
tial instead: the rage Of others to find
that the money upon which they have
been reckoning for years-the dead
mans shoes. IN fact, for which they
have been hankering SO long-ftted
on to Other feet.
remember one case that, changing
the names, it will be no particular
breach of confidence to mention, and
I tell 1t the more frankly because it is
a little against myself, for I mast own
that I did not acquit myself upon
what is called on the square. In fact,
I played a part-for [ did nothing
else but hold my tongue. II I had
spoken. il would have been $4,000
or SO out Of an honest mans pocket and
into 3 rogue's; SO, somehow, let my
feeling get the better of my profess
sional conscience, and I said not a
word.
I was old John Hendricks solicitor,
and looked after his property, for [
had known him when he was strug-
Cling man and was young lawyer
with none too much practice. Then |
lost sight of him for twenty years, at
the end Of which time was still plod-
ding along respectfully, just holding
my own and nothing more, when, 60
ing into one of the city taverns for
my regular daily chop, which l ate at
the table for so many years that had
become one of the institutions of the
place, [ found myself opposite yell
Iow-looking, thin, gray-haired man,
who kept on locking up from his
plate to stare at me very rudely, l
thought.
did not resent his stare at first, but
at last ii became SO unpleasant that |
determined to look him down, and l
gazed firmly into his eyes.
"Why, it lsl' he exclaimed ''Dick,
olJ I>o- Lo,,I4 1,o,, I~roxu ,oop''
"That's Jack Hendricks voice." [
exclaimed, nearly upsetting my plate
and the next moment we were sitting
there, hand clasped in hand, ind with
tears ia our eyes, looking very foolish
and weak, I dare say, to the other oe-
cupants of the room, but that did not
trouble us, for we had too much to say
TO each other.
John Hendricks told me that he had
been in the north of India, close to
Nepaul, for over twenty years. He
had gone out as factor to au indigo
grower, and had become a grower
himself.
And now," he said, ST have come
to look after my dead sisters sons, and
to die"
swell, old fellow" 1 said, "the first
parts right enough, but as to the dy-
Tug, [ think its as well to leave that
alone. It will be all settled for you.
The only thing With respect to that,
speaking as professional man. is to
make your will, if you have anything
to leave, and then make the most Of
your SPAN"
"Have you made yours, Dicka" he
said sharply.
'I9 No." said, laughing. 1--WE
nothing to leave;" and then we went
into condolences, and after had told
him of my own Woodworking life, he
gave me to understand that he had
made a large fortune In indigo, and
spent little on himself
Mines been to Woodworking q life,
Dick" he said, ''fer me to be much
of spender, but it will be fine thing
for Jenny's boys If I like them," he
added sharply And then, with q
quiet. subdued look, Poor Jenny I
should like TO see her again"
John Hendricks wass fifteen years
my senior, but we became once more
the closest friends, for he seemed to
resume his old protective way over
me, but trusting me fully in every
point.
It was all done in a quiet, inostenta-
tious way, but from the day Of John
Hendricks S return the world began to
smile On me. I had a great deal OF
professional business to do for him,
and he had most extensive connections
among indigo planters. found them
coming to me right and left by his re
Communications, so that very soon, in
place of finding it hard work to keep
one clerk, I had very hard work for