Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-31
ADAM HOLC0MB'S WILL
How Grateful Nephew was Bounte
ousIy Repaid. @

Ousiy ncPAAu' ~ M
Adam Holcomb was dead at last
dead after seventy years Of money get.
ting, and the grave had closed over
him. He had no children, for he had
led single life, induced, 80 it was
said, though nothing was certainly
known, by an early disappointment
which had warped his nature, and
made him lead solitary and selfish
life, given up to Mammon alone.
Adam Holcomb was dead, and as
yet no one knew what disposition he
had made of his money. .
Three days after the funeral, the
next to 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 number, tor the family
was not a large one. There were but
three, and these three may be briefly
described.
First came James Holcomb, "a
nephew Of the deceased, a man OF
portly form, and an air of importance.
He was q prosperous city merchant,
already in possession Of abundant
means, but he had no objection to
having them increased by legacy
from his uncle's boarded wealth. He
was a vain, selfish, worldly man, all
his thoughts centered 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 considerable money, though
his reputation was none the best. He
was considered tricky, willing to un-
dertake any cause, however disrepu-
table, for money. He was married
and had q family, for whom he pro-
vided in grudging manner. He too
had nourished sanguine hope of find
ing himself much better off after his
uncle's death.
Last came q young man, presenting
q strong contrast to the other two. He
was Of light complexion, brown hair,
clear blue eyes, and an attractive face.
He was barely twenty Ave years of
age, very plainly dressed, and with a
modest mien, which prepossessed one
in his favor. He was the son of old
Adam Holcomb's youngest sister, who
had married poor minister, and her
son, Alfred Graves, was studying
medicine, for which he had decided
prediction. But he had been cramp-
ed by narrow means, and was even
now teaching 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 relatives
present for small temporary loan, to
help him complete his studies, but
without effect. He had been curtly
refused by both.
He had come hither to. day, as q
matter Of form, without the slightest
expectation of benefting by the will
Of his late relative. He had known
him but slightly, and never received
any encouragement upon which he
could build q hope. Yet if he could
but receive . legacy Of even three
hundred dollars, he thought, 1t 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 last will and tes-
lament.
The merchant and lawyer conversed
while waiting for Squire Brief
Have you any idea, cousin, how
much the old gentleman had accumn
lated2 asked James Holcomb. &c
q have heard it estimated at quar-
ter of 3 million, was the reply. @
Quarter of millionl' repeated
James, slowly, That is q large sum
Hope he has not been unjust enough
to squander any Of it on charitable
societies. H
4 hope not. That would bea great
piece Of injustice to his relations, said
the lawyer.