New-York tribune., 1891-05-09
MRS. OSBORN'S WILL.


The last will and testament of Mrs. Miriam
A. Osborn, which was fled for probate yester-
day. is a document of great interest to many
persons, and especially to the testators hopeful
son Howell and his judgment creditors. Com
mon report as to the size Of large estates is often
erroneous, but nobody doubts that Mrs. Osborn's
executors will have several millions to dispose
Of The will contains numerous complexities,
chiefly designed to operate in constraint of the
sons notorious procliyities, though some of them
are removed by his consent to the probate. The
luxury of contest would have cost him at least
the income of $400, 900, and might have af-
forded him no compensation of any kind; and
therefore, wisely we think, he makes the best
of the present situation. Doubtless 1t is not
altogether TO his satisfaction, for he gets not a
dollar outright but the trust sums of which he
will have the use are so generous as to remove
all occasion for tears and sympathy on the part
of the tender-hearted. He will enjoy, after his
fashion, the income upon 100000, plus the
income upon an unknown sum constituting one
half of the residuary estate. But ii any woman
who "has acted, sung or danced professionally
or otherwise performed for hire' is invited to
enjoy it with him it will be her duty to remem-
Der that the will discriminates against any and
all innocent beings upon whom Howell may
chance with her cooperation to impress his
image.
No direct provision is made by Mrs. Osborn
for the payment of her sons debts. She is
understood to have been strongly impressed with
the idea that his creditors We're aware OF his
peculiar capacity for incurring obligations and
strong disinclinaton to meet them by any act
of personal sacrifice, and to have felt that they
ought not to expect her TO bear the consequences
of their folly. There is, however, clause in
the will empowering the executors to apply a
large sum of money outright for his welfare, y
and they NAV consider that it is for his welfare
that his just debts should be paid. His cred
itors, moreover, may succeed in convincing the
courts that part OF his income ought to be
employed in this manner, now that beggary
revenue of $50, 600 per annum has been IN
creased several fold
- Turning from the fortunes of young man
in whose affairs considerable part OF the COM
munity has been forced to feel a lively concern
we find in Mrs. Osborn's will bequests of great
interest to the general public. Specified sums
of large amount and one-quarter OF the resid-
uaTy estate are set apart for Ihe credlloh anu
maintenance of memorial home for aged wom-
en-an institution which will surely relieve O
vast amount Of human misery and bring con-
ISOLATION and comfort into maay dcsolate lives
The other principal beneficiary is Yale univer'
sity, which has already derived conspicuous ad
vantage from Mrs. Osborn's preference. The
will gives the university one-quartei
of the residuary estate. How much
that will prove to be can only bt
conjectured, but it will amount certainly to a
handsome sum and perhaps to very large one
Yale has been signally honored and favored il
testamentary documents during the last few
years, but not beyond her deserts. Whatever i
may please Mr.. Howell Osborn to do with thu
proceeds of his share in this estate, the rest O.
it will be used for the promotion Of useful ant
worthy purposes.