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

blindly to the character of his nephews
and all could do was to let matters
take their course.
It was a bad course for Phlllir
Hensley, who was, in quiet, secre-
tive way, a regular scamp-his father
over again. He was very clever and
shrewd as a lawyer, and got on well
when he stuck to it, and this pleased
the old man, to whom he was devot-
edly attentive; while poor Sam seemed
to become more and more estranged,
| though better and truer-hearted fell
low never married pure, sweet little
woman like an angel, who poured
out tea for a grim old fellow.
was often at his snug little home
and, after trying in vain to make
things better for him with his rich
uncle, I came to the conclusion that
they would be no happier for the
money.
1.-TWO thousand will be nice nest
egg for them, SO perhaps all is for the
| best"
As I have said, Phil became a
shrewdish fellow in law, and passed
his examination pretty well, SO that
he knew what he was about in legal
matters; and one day he proved the
truth of his uncle's prophecy by say
ing:
"My uncle is far from well, Mr..
Brown. Have you got his will with
you?"
mo-" I said SO shortly that he
turned upon his and went away.
About d month later was with nv
old friend and felt shocked at the
C ange, for it was evident that he
was not much longer for this world.
He had sent for nae, and [ was in
hopes that he had meant to alter his
will, and [ was right.
What while you have been COM
ing" he said GENEROUSLY. II wanted
you SO badly. Dick
II came on directly, old fellow"
said, kindly. "Here, let me put you
a little more easy"
'Ehank We, Dick" ne said, "butit's
all over. That boy has killed me-
Did he ask you if you had my villa"
eyes, about a month since, and
said mo"
ST knew it, Dick, I knew it," he
said, pitifully; "aEd ever since he has
been worrying me to let him make
my will. Dick, old friend I've made
big mistake. Tnere-there, don't
jump upon me. II confess it ali. ]
thought he was his mothers boy, he
was so like her; but-but he has his
fathers spirit and his ways to the
very bone"
Il ana glad to have awakened to the
truth" I said.
"You should have advised ma bet
ter" he said ENORMOUSLY.
SHOULD I, Jack2"
''No, no; you did, Dick. I've only
just found out what an old fool am,
my dear boy. We have quarreled
terriably, that boy and I, for I have
found him out, in spite of his smooth
tongue. He's a scamp, a wilma
gambler land a debt terribly. He has
half killed me, Dick, and-and-"
l tore at the bell, as the poor old fell
low seemed about to have fit. for the
terriable emotion he had suffered at
what must have been the roofing up
of his most cherished belief in his sis
ter's child, had proved in his weak
state, to be more than he could bear.
The doctor was sent for, and at the
end of an hour John Hendricks was so
far recovered that he whispered my
name, and I, sitting down beside him,
heard him in whisper say:
DRAW up my will quickly. A just
one"
81 don't think he will ever recover
sufficiently to sign," said the doctor.
''He has drawn it too late, Mr..
Brown"
The doctor was right, for my poor
old friend never recovered ais senses,
but quietly breathed his last a few
hours later.
The funeral followed in due form,
and was there, both as old friend
and solicitor. to meet the very small
party who went to the grave.
Sam was there, of curse, making
no indecorous show Of sorrow, while
his brother sobhed aloud over the
grave, but he had good deal recov-
cred when we assembled afterward in
the dining room Of my old friends
house his few friends wondering
whether he had remembered them in
his will, about which subject [ heard
y "AAtSEOA SNAfS OA p@AceO AAS11S LcO
been left.
I suppose it was from a feeling of
importance, perhaps from an unwiU-
ingncss to wound poor Sam Hemsley
and his young wife by letting them
hear the unjust will, that I did not
hurry myself to produce it, though I
don't think they anticipated much.
But all at once, to my utter astonish-
ment, Philip rose, coughed to clear
his husky voice, and said quietly:
81 presume you all know how much
I have Of late been in my uncle's con-
fdence, so you will not be surprised
that, as I was by his wish a solicitor,
he should have entrusted to nae the
making of his will"
am a man of the world. but for
a moment was knocked off my bal
ance Then | was about to exclain,
as l saw him bring forth the docu-
ment, why you scoundrel, you have
forged will.
Fortunately for Sam, I recovered
myself. and sat with my old friends
Uenvire will l,uttone6 nm f,aoaatb