The Republican., 1892-05-06
ADAM HOLCOMB'S WILL.
A Deed Of Kindness and What
Came of It.

Came of It.
Adam Holcomb was dead at last
dead after seventy years of money
getting, and the grave had closed over
him. lie had no children, for he had
led q single life. induced, SO II was said,
though nothing was certainly known,
by an early disappointment which had
warped his nature, and made him lead
a 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-of-kin and possible heirs were col
lected in the Office of the lawyer, who
was the custodian Of the will and pri-
vate papers of the deceased. They
were few in numbers for the family
was not large one. There were but
three, and these three may be briefly
described. .|
First came James Holcomb, a nephew
of the deceased, vain, selfish, worldly
man. all his thoughts centered upon
himself and his own family who had
never been known to give a penny for
any charitable purpose.
Next came Harvey Holcomb, 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 con-
sidered tricky, willing to undertake
any cause, however disreputable, for
money. He was married and had a
family, for whom he provided in n
;grudging manner. He, too, had
nourished sanguine hopes of finding
himself much better off after his uncle's
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
manner which prepossessed one in his
favor He was the son of old Adam
Holcomb's youngest sister, who had
Alfred Graves, was studying medicine,
for which he had decided prediction.
But he had been cramped by narrow
means, and was even now teaching in a
country school, hoping to obtain enough
by this means to pay for his college
course. He had applied to each of his
two relatives present for a small tenn
porary loan. to help him complete his
studies. but without effect. He had
been curtly refused by both.
He had come here to-day, as matter
of form, without the slightest expecta-
tion of benefting by the will Of his
late relative He had known him but
slightly, and never received any encour>
agement upon which he could build a
hope. Yet if he could but receive leg
acy of even three hundred dollars, he
thought, it would help him materially.
That was the amount which he had
vainly sought to borrow Of the mer-
chant and lawyer, now present with
him at the reading of Adam Holcomb's
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 Holco,nb.
~ have heard it estimated at two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars!'
was the reply.
THAT is a large sum. hope he ha!
not been unjust enough to squander any
of it on charitable societies"
IL hope not. That would be grea
piece of injustice to his relations"
He never dropped anything to yo'
about the disposition he intended =
make of his propesty. did hep"
Not he He was n close man, very,
said the other. IL onoe tried to worn
something out OF him. but didn't &c
much satisfaction.
What did he say?"
'He said that he thought of endov
ing an asylum for fools and lunatic'
and that could tell whether l wa
likely to be benefited by his so doing.
"Hol hot" laughed James, shakin
his capacious sides; ''he got you ther,
eh?"
~ don't see it, said the lawyer, sourl,
'You don't appreciate the joke, eh?'
''It was foolish piece of impert
nence. However, everybody know
what the old man was, and let it pas
If it had been anyone else, would ha,
given them as good as they sent"
"But you were afraid it would spo
your chances, eh?"
AS to that. have no idea. There
no question that we ought to be joil
heirs"
True" returned James. eth
would give one hundred and twent
five thousand apiece. That would sa
isfy me-"
"How about Al.red's chances
queried the lawyer, glancing sharply
that part of the Office where the your
man was quietly seated