Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-09-07
SCHMIDT'S WILL.

TO this country when quite a lad. By honesty
and industry he amassed farm of eighty
acres, and was universally respected. Owing
TO our going 10 press today, we must postpone
his biography until next week, but we under
stand his real and personal estate is left to a
nephew. The deceased came to his death by
catching cold while killing hogs.-Darby Ban
ner of Freedom.
Notwithstanding the indispensable
shock" to the East Darby community, very
little excitement was visible when the
worthy John Schmidt was laid in his
grave. On account of a spell of dry
weather a great many farmers staid at
home to attend to the haying, and not
more than twenty people all told listened
TO the new clergyman, who had not even
known the deceased by sight, while he
spoke in fiowery periods for five minutes
In fact, as Jonas Waters the selectman,
remarked, Nobody could be expected to
take much stock in a man that never got
married nor went to church" Interest
centered, however, on one old man and one
young one, both dressed in black and both
strangers to the community.
Presently It became known, in the mys-
FERROUS way in which things do become
known, that the old man was a lawyer
from New York and the young man a
nephew Of the deceased and the presuma-
BILE heir TO his wealth. Then from the
same occult source there came the infor-
nation that John Schmidt's will would be
read at his former residence day after next.
Thither flOcked threescore of Darby's
citizens, male and female, actuated simply
by curiosity, since no neighbor was insane
enough 10 suppose that the old gentleman
would leave anything to him or the town.
The old lawyer was on hand, with snug
and mysterious air; so was the young
nephew in black, and so also were three
strangers, also in black, of varying ages
and visages, but alike in nervous twitch-
ing of lips and suspicious distrust Of one
another.
ut was the wish Of my esteemed client,
John Schmidt, that his last will and tesla
ment should be read in public within three
days after his decease," said the old law
yer, producing large envelope and exhib-
iting it TO the audience. THE law does
not require this formality and it is against
my advice, but that is immeterial. will
also add that do not know the contents Of
this will, since it is a Photograph"
Seeing an expression of wonder, border
ing upon perplexed dismay, spreading over
add, THAT is, written by the tesJator him
self"
Calm being restored the lawyer, with
exasperating slowness, opened the envel-
ope, and after proper pause began to
read in a manner which, at first eminently
professional, soon became decidedly diff
fuse:
II, John Schmidt, farmer, of Darby
county, n. Y, here make my will. / have
this farm and the houses on it mot couched
in legal phraseology, my friends, but l have
no doubt it will standl, which 1 value at
5000 This valuation will have to be veri'
hedl, and | also have an iron box
Here the lawyer produced in a legerde-
main sort of way a small box from the in
terror Of his coat and remarked, Here is
the box-it has been in my possession for
two years" Then COMMUNICATION box
which contains the remainder Of my for
tune-S10O,OOO."
A prolonged whistle from Elder Jackson
and "Jewhittaker" from Jabez Water,
broke the silence, while the nephew anC
the three strangers in black looked rec
and blue by turns.
The old lawyer held up his hands warn
ingly and proceeded; "Some people thinl
don't know anything, but I'll show then
John Schmidt is no fool. made all thi
money at one lucky stroke in New York.
"Bin speckulatin," said Jabez Waters il
loud whisper. stocks"
"Loozyanner lot'ry," responded th'
elder, in piously hoarse voice.
II worked hard" read the lawyer in
sharp voice to command silence, 'for years
but made more in one day than / ever di,
in all my life. And now l leave all I'v
got to mynephew-(er-hum-yes)-Johl
Smith" The old lawyer folded up tn
will and had just remarked, THE will
properly signed and'-when the nepheN
hurried forward.
"My poor, dear uncle" he exclaimed
dabbing his eyes vigorously with his hand
kerchief, 81 always knew
Pardon me-" said one of the stranger
in black; will you allow me to look at tn
willP Thanks-oh, yes-as | supposed"
"You supposedS" repeated Nephew job
TREMENDOUSLY.
Eyes, as supposed. On looking closer,
to the old lawyer, you will see that th
name Of the legatee is Jehu Smith. NJ
poor, dear uncle
ut strikes me-" interrupted the secon
man in black, looking over Jehu's shou
der, that Uncle John has written Joshui
He never was n good speller or writer, bu
the last time saw him he gave me to III
understand"-
"And l give you to understand" erie
the third man, rising from his chair an
speaking in a bloodthirsty voice, that m
name is Job Smith, and l am full cousi
Of Johns, and If I've been forgotten I
know the reason why"
An expression almost beatific stole ov'
the old lawyers face.
"A contest" he murmured softly. zee
tlemen, as executor OF this will find thu
this question cannot be decided at tn
time and place. / shall hold the will'--
"But the boxS" said Nephew John.
~ shall also hold the box until an agre
ment is had or the courts decide on Il
rightful heir"
A quadrilateral howl arose, but the o.
lawyer buttoned his rusty coat with Il
air Of a chief justice, and the Darby pc
pie, who were all agog over the impendin
fracas and possible homicide, were disa