River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-07-17
ADAM HOLCOMB'S WILL.

ADAM H0LCOMB'S WILL.
How a Grateful Nephsw Was
Bouuteously Repaid.
Adam HOlcOmb was dead az last
dead after seventy years of mOney-get-
ting, and the grave had closed over
him. He had no children. for he had
led a single life. induced. 50 il was said,
though nothing was certainly known,
BY an early disappointment which had
warped his nature. ard made him lead
solitary and selfish life, given up to
MammOn alone.
Adam HOicOmb was dead. and as vet
no one knew what disposition he had
made Of his money.
Three lays after the funeral, the next
20 kin ard possible heirs were collected
I'm the Office Of the lawyer. who was the
custodian OF the will and private papers
OF the deceased They were few in
number. for the family was not large
one There we're but three, and these
three may be briefly described.
First came James IIOlcomb. a nephew
~ AAAN NNNNtA1tNAs - AAaAAA VI HNA AAN AOE AAAs
and an air OF Importance. He was a
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. lie was 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
% the last named, and about the same
age. lie 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 the best. He was considered
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 of after
mis- uncle's death.
Last came a young man, presenting a
strong contrast to the other TWO He
vas of light complexion. brown hair,
clear blue eyes, and an attractive face.
lie was barely twenty-five years of age.
very flainly dressed, and with modest
mien. which prepOssessed one in his
favor. lie 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 predilectiOn-
But he mad been cramped by narrow
means. and was even now teaching a
country school. hoping to obtain enough
b. this means to pay for his next course
of lectures lie had applied to each of
his two relatives present for a small tenn
pOrary loan. to help him complete his
studies, but without effect. lie had
been CURLY refused by both.
He had come hither to-day. as mat
ter ~ form, without the slightest ex-
pectatiou Of benefiting By the will OF
his late relative tie had known him
but slightly, and never received any
encouragement upon which he could
build a hope. Yet il he could but re-
ceive a legacy Of even three hundred
dollars. he thought, il would help him
materially. That was the amount
which he had vainly sought 10 borrow of
the merchant and lawyer, now present
with him at the reading of Adam IlOl-
combs 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-
lated?" asked James Holcomb.
Il have heard it estimated 1t a quar-
ter Of a million" was the reply.
Quarter of a Million repeated
James. slowly. THAT is a large sum
| hope he has not been unjust enough
to squander any Of it on charitable
societies"
Il hope not. That would be great
piece Of injustice to his relations. said
the lawyer.
''He never dropped any thing TO you
about the disposition he intended to
make OF his property. did he2'
Not he He was a close man,
very said the other. Il once tried
70 worm something out of him. but
didn't get much satisfaction"
What did ne say
ale said that he thought Of endow-
ing an asylum for fools and lunatics,
and that could tell whether was like
~ to be benefited by his so doing"
"Ho hor' laughed James. shaking
his capacious sides. he got you there,
eh?'
I don'ts, il, said the lawyer. sour
ly.
You don't appreciate the joke.
heye"
1T was foolish piece Of imperti-
hence However. everybody knows
what the old man was, and let it pass.
IL il had boon any one else, would have
given them as good as they sent
But you were afraid it would spoil
your chances, eh?"
''AS TO that. I have no idea There
is TO question that We ought 20 be joint
heirs"
True. said James. That would
give us an eighth of a million apiece
That would satisfy me-"
How about Alfred's chancesP'
queried the lawyer. glancing sharply
towards that par; Of the Office where the
young man was quietly seated
oh. he'll get nothing said the mer-
chant. contemptuously. He belongs TO
a beggarly stock. and beggar he'll re-
main TO the end Of his days Going 70
be doctor. hear
We'll. ! wish him Joy of his profess
sion. If he ever gets in II, which Is some
what doubtful He wanted 70 borrow
three hundred dollars o. me the other
day"
And Of me. Did yIu let him have
it,"
Not I. I've enough 70 do with my
money without giving it away OF
course he'd never have repaid IL"
mo, suppose not The cOolness of
some people is refreshing"
We'll. | take is for granted old Adam
vas too shrewi 60 lavish any of his
money on such a fellow"
Trust him for that"
Tie yOanE man was engaged in read !