Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1888-11-29
MAKING A WILL.
GOOD ADVICE TO PEOPLE WHO
HAVE EARTHLY RICHES.

i"N'I SN'af '@S'
While You Are Yet Alive Determine to
Whom Your Choicest Possessions Shall
Fall-A Case In Point-Listing Ones
Personal Belongings.
Every one cannot indulge in the sensa-
tion of making will which disposes Of
millions. But every one can attain @
degree of satisfaction to ones self by
making a disposition Of ones possessions.
We accept it as matter of course that
the rich man and the rich woman shall
beGueath his or her estate to certain heirs
suggested by nature or choice, but the
ordinary, everyday people in the world
live along without much thought of q
time when somebody else shall possess
their all, be it much or little. Indeed,
the very suggestion of making will is
regarded by very many sensible men as
harbinger of evil, certain preparation
for dreaded time which is sure to bring
it pearer. Especially is this true Of self
made men Of a certain age, who have y
like dread of moving into new. fine
house which they have built late in life
and which they leave untenanted for as
long time as possible from a supersti-
tiouS dread.
LISTING ONES BELONGINGS.
Yet the idea OF making ones will, If
squarely faced, is rather a pleasant one.
All of US, especially all women, have GER
tain possessions which are valued for one
reason or another, perhaps from associa-
ton or fancy, perhaps for love Of giveT
or real intrinsic worth, and each is prob
ably aware that some other body has an
admiration for and would take good care
Of that particular thing, while the per-
sons to whom the disposal Of 1t would
naturally fall might set no value on 1t
whatever. case presents itself to view
Just now of little home made plush COW
much of an ornamental addition to any
room, yet of inestimable value to widow,
because it chanced to be the last bit Of
work from the dear hands which had
been her support through long and
happy married life. 1t chanced that dur
ing the manufacture of this article Q
young friend was paying visit to these
people and enjoyed with them the inter
est in, and diversion of, watching
tho table grow under the tinkerer's
hands, and one day made the re-
mark, thoughtlessly and carelessly,
You must will this to me-" Shortly
after the sudden death of this gentle
man the wife informed the friend that
she had straightway gone and put this
bequest in her will. Do you think there
Is no comfort, perhaps only very occa-
sional, but still comfort, in thinking
that it will become the possession Of ono
who, too watched with interest every
inch Of plush glued on, every nail driven
In, and will value it In quite another way
than any other person2
Nor is this at all an exceptional case
With almost every possession is some
other person associated, and very likely
none other, as, for instance. some little
child who always begged to be allowed to
hold for minute to her tiny breast the
small bust of Flora, which ornamented q
bracket in 'auntie's" room, or a favorite
young cousin who always smoothed with
tender toe h the rich folds Of your best
velvet gown, or the friend who studied
middle life and brought back an unex-
pected glimpse of youth and school girl
friendships to you both, or the boy who
helped you plant In yon big jar and care
for season after season that growing
palm? Who will have the same thoughts
and such qualification in the ownership Of
these things as they2 to whom can You
give stronger proof Of the lessons Of
kindly remembrance and friendship?
NOT AT ALL UNPLEASANT.
Is there no joy In making these little
plans to please others, so that when the
veil Of darkness shuts you from their
sight, your going may not be all an un-
broken pain-that no tender thoughts Of
how you had planned to remain in their
thoughts should follow you on the un-
known voyage to the mysterious beyond3
While this, perhaps, Is the strongest ar
gument for persons vino possess only
trifing things to make WILL there is an
other, too, which has a pleasant side.
Few of US have the slightest idea Of what
we have; things accumulate so fast. In
. good sized family Of comfortable means
there are enough things of value given at
one Christmas season to warrant the
making Of a will. The listing Of what
one does possess is pleasant occupation,
full of surprises, and would fill many
weary hours for elderly people, whose
waning eyesight and general feebleness
1ebars them from active interests and
and leaves their lives but q
quiet season of waiting.
Did you ever lose friend and feel an
irresistible longing for something that
vas nerSI IL mlght De that she had pre-
'ented you with many things. but none
,ould give you the satisfaction that
would ensue If you had any old book or
title picture she had loved and priced
When one goes away from home it is
Usual to see that all which is left behind
8 properly cared for. Why, then, not fol-
ow the same natural instinct when leav-.
ng them behind forever? To those who
lad jewels and laces, plate and costly
hina, it seems as absolutely wrong not
o arrange for their disposal, just as is
lone in the case Of money and other es-
ates. Heirs are merely human, often
cry human, possessing the faults and
railties of their race as well as the vir-
ues, and he or she who can adjust his
fairs in such order and with such simple
irectness that there are no wranglings
yer them is not only wise man but
ublic benefactor. For nothing can give
0 the world lower opinion of mankind
han the published accounts of the greed
nd disputes over an estate.-"S. s. E.
l." in Chicago Herald.