The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-10-08

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 yet
no one knew what disposition lie 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 In
Gray's Inn. who was the custodian OF
the will and private papers OF the de-
ceased. They were few in number, for
the family was not large one. There
were but three and these three may
be briefly described.
First came James Holcomb, nep-
hew of the deceased-a vain, selfish,
worldly man of about 40 years OF age,
all his thoughts centered upon himself
and bis own family, who had never
been known to give penny for any
charitable purpose.
Next came Harvey Holcomb, n
cousin OF the last named, and about
1.-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 ofthe
best. He was considered tricky, will
ing to undertake any cause, however
disreputable, for money. He was
married and had a family, for whom
he provided in a grudging manner.
He, too, had nourished sanguine
hopes OF finding himself much better
off after his uncle's death.
Last came q young man presenting
a strong contrast to the other two.
He was of light complexion, brown
face. He was barely 25 years OF age,
very plainly dressed, and with a
modest manner which prepossessed
one in his favor. He was the son OF
old Adam Holcomb's youngest sister,
who had married poor curate, and
their son, Alfred Graves, was studying
medicine, for which he had a decided
prediction. But he had been cramp-
ed by narrow means, and was even
now teaching in village school, hop
ing to obtain enough by this means to
pay his college course. He had ap-
piled to each of his two relatives
present for small temporary loan
to help him complete his studies, but
without effect. He had been CURLY
refused by both.
He had come here to-day as mat
tet of form, without the slightest ex-
pectations of benefiting by the will of
his late relative. He had known him
but slightly, ard never received any
encouragement upon which he could
build hope. Yet if he could but
receive 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 Hol-
combs last will and testament.
The merchant and lawyer conversed
while waiting for lawyer Brief.
"Have you any idea, cousin, how
much the old gentleman had accumu-
lated?" asked James Holcomb.
"Ihave heard it estimated at $780,
0OO," was the reply.
"That is a large sum. hope ehas
not been unjust enough to squander
any of it on charitable societies"
az hope not. That would be
great piece OF injustice to his rela-
tions,"
"He never dropped anything to you
ahn,xt fka 1iovxAoit sA,, ha iptapAad n
make OF his property, did her"
mot hel He was close man,
very" said the other. 81 once tried to
worm something out OF him, but didn't
get much satisfaction
"What did he say?"
,"He said that he thought OF endow-
ing an asylum for fools and lunatics,
and that could tell whether was
likely to be benefited by his 30 do
ing" -----