The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-07-16
ADAM H0LC0MB' WILL.
by HoRATIo ALGER, JR.


after seventy years OF money-getting, and
the grave had closed over him. He had
no children, for he had led single life,
induced, so it was said, though nothing
was certainly known, by an early disap-
pointment which had warped his nature,
and made him lead solitary life, given
up to Mammon alone.
Adam Holcomb was dead, and as vet
no one knew what disposition he had
made of his money.
Three days after the funeral, the next
of kin and possible heirs were collected
in the Office of the lawyer, who was the
custodian of the will and private papers
of the deceased. They were few in num-
Der, for the family was not large one.
There were but three, and these three
may be briefly described.
First came James Holcomb, nephew
of the deceased, a man of portly form,
and an air of importance. He was
prosperous city merchant, already in
possession of abundant means, but he
had no objection to having them in-
creased by legacy from his uncle's
boarded wealth. He was vain, selfish,
worldly man, all his thoughts centred
upon himself and his own family, who
had never been known to give a cent for
any charitable purpose.
Next came Harvey Holcomb, a cousin
of the last named, and about the same
age. He was tall, thin and angular.
He belonged TO the legal profession, in
which he had managed to pick up con-
siderable money, though his reputation
was none of the best. He was consid-
cred tricky, willing to undertake any
cause, however disreputable, for money.
He was married and had family, for
whom he provided in grudging manner.
He, too, had nourished sanguine hopes
of finding himself much better off after
his uncles death.
Last came a young man, presenting a
strong contrast to the other two. He
was of light complexion, brown hair,
clear blue eyes and an attractive face.
He was barely twenty-five years of age,
very plainly dressed and with modest
mien, which prepossessed one in his
favor. He was the son of old Adam
Holcomb's youngest sister, who had mar
ried poor minister, and her son, Alfred
Graves, was studying medicine, for which
he had decided prediction. But he
had been cramped by narrow means, aud
was even now teaching II country school,
hoping to obtain enough by this means
TO pay for his next course of lectures.
He had applied to each of his two rela-
tives present for Ii small temporary loan.
to help him complete his studies, but
without effect. He had been courtly
refused by both.
He had come hither to-day, as a mat
ter of form, without the slightest ex-
pectation of benefiting by the will of his
late relative. He had known but slightly,
and never received any encouragement
upon which he could build hope. Yet
if he could but receive a legacy of even
$500, he thought, it would help him
materially. That was the amount which
he had vainly sought to borrow of the
merchant and lawyer, now present with
him at the reading of Adam Holcomb's 5
last will and testament.
The merchant and lawyer conversed
while waiting for Squire Brief.
''Have you any idea, cousin, how
much the old gentleman had accumu-
lated2" asked James Holcmob.
81 have heard it estimated at quarter
of million" was the reply.
"Quarter of million!" repeated
James, slowly. THAT is a large sum-
hope he has not been unjust enough TO
squander any of it on charitable socie-
ties"
~ hope not. That would be a great
piece of injustice to his relations" said
the lawyer.
"He never dropped anything to you
about the disposition he intended tc
make of his property, did he3"
"Not he. He was a close man, very"
said the other. IL once tried TO worm
something out of him, but 6idnt get
much satisfaction"
"What did he sayi"
"He said he thought of allowing an
asylum for fools and lunaticj, and that
could tell whether l was likely to be
benefited by his so doing"
'Ho, hop laughed James, shaking
his capacious sides, she got you there,
ehgn
IL don't see it, " said the lawyer sourly.
''You don't appreciate the joke, heyP'
''It was foolish piece of impertinenee,
However, everybody knows what the old
man was, and let it pass. If it had
been any one else, would have given
them as good as th9y sent"
''But you were afraid it would spoil
your chances. chr"