Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1892-05-13
4 FORTUNE Los L.

cautious and careful decision of an eccen-
trio mind At the time | was In Boston,
and practicing law. Directly opposite my
home vas the old and stately mansion Of
G ,offrey Dobbins II was d magnificent
place. surrounded by lawn as smooth as
the surface CT some calm inland lake, and
studded here and there with Hover gar
dens, which were noted throughout the
city for their beauty. Tde house was an
old one, but vel preserved, and stood back
some distance from the street. 1t was In.
visible 10 the pu JIic, save when the wind
parted the branches of the pines which
surrounded it. Then the glimpse obtaIned
was only sufficient TO excite curiosity Tafh-
er than TO clay il.
One could see The gabed peaks of the
house; and its ieafy portico, oyergrown
with roses and with honey suckIee; and
it, heavily shattered Windows. A is
place fJf tnc residence Of a man such as
it. oWnsr was quiet and unass lmtng,
never seen abroad, except when driven
out morning AID evening by liveTi d
c0achman. he had few ii any acqVaini-
ancfa, and, in spite Of the advances made
By society, he remained quiet and alone
in the seclusion of the mansion. All
knew that be was wealthy, for quite a
large portion Of the real estate N his
neighborhnnd belonged to him, and then
the magnificent business block Lately
erected, bore the name OF Oohbins. |
guess | had farther insight into his affairs
than any oae else, however not as neigh
Tor, but his attJIney.
He bad employed me several times as
his advocate, and on each of these occa-
sions had spent the better part Of the
day in the old house. Several weeks prev
ions TO the tune OF which | write he had
desired me to draw up his will, leaving
everything 10 a nephew in New York.
He admit ed that he knew nothing of this
relative, save that he was the son Of his
sister, and that he resided and was in
business In that city. By this will the
young man was made heir TO about three
quarters of q million Of dollars In govern
ment Eonds and about one-quarter In real
eatate.
Imagine my surprise when, on waking
d week or so alter this event, was in
formed by my wife thai Old Dobbins had
died during the night, and that DR.. Gus
ter, his ply stefan, was awaiting me down
stairs. Tue doctor knew that | was the
most intimate OF the old mans acquaint-
ances, and thought ! might know tie
residence of his relatives, If he had any
The nephew, Chester Young, was the
only one OF whom knew, 50 he was i'm
mediately summoned He telegraphed
that he could not come until Sunday and
wished the funeral to take place on tha5
day.
Ny horror Of the old mansion, with its
dark and dreary halls, was only increased
by the thought that its former occupant
now lay there silent In death, 80 declined
the othciea OF the doctor to sit up I'd
watch with him.
With Sunday came the nephew, brig ht
yourg man Of > or "A years, who was the
only mourner At the funeral, which took
place from the house
This young mau did not make a very
good impress ON en- either me or my wife.
brt we concluded that it would improve
ON better acquaintance. But no! rather
the other way; the more we saw of him
the less we liked HIM.
He had no mind at all for business, as |
soon found out when [ consulted with him
regarding the disposal Of soma of the
property OF course, he being the owner
of toe Is ate, and | merely the attorney,
vas obliged to follow his directions. A
great Geal OF valuable property was dispos-
ed of, as he id, to get rid of the burden
of taxes.
Chester Young soon began to remodel
the old place He fitted il up in the most
modern styl and desiroye ~ beauty and
picturesqueness by cutting down the
graceful trees which so long had waved
their bcnedictiou over it. He erected a
new stable, and in place OF the old family
horses, which had been the delight of his
aged uncle, ha drove pair of tan coIored
troLters, which he had purchased a week
after his arrival
Society received him with open arms,
and the ladies bestowed~on him their
sweetest smiles.
As he accepted their courtesies, he too,
must entertain. This he did in M gnif
cert style, scarcely three months aftt- his
uncle death. S>clety overlooked this
breach of It -ctlon on the grounds that the
uncle had ney-r shown the slightest sign
OF affection and love for the you g man
during his life; but the old folks shook
their heads and IN silence thought il
looked very bad, and was sure TO ref ect
upon the young man s future life.
The gay young master of SAMMY Side, as
be himself termed the place, had round
after round of gayety, and never seenlf c
more happy than with house full OF
young men whom he invited from New
1ork TO partake OF his cup of pies sure.
This went on for three years, much Il
my secret disgust.
Again and again l demonstrated will
the young man, and warned him at las
that IN the year just gone pas; he hat
overstepped his incom. to the amount o
$1,000.
What's that be replied langhingly
Il could DO that for good many years
and lien settle down with enough 10
life.
Tais speeca was similar 10 others h
made TO me ON business affairs, ana shove
his deposition.
at last, growing tired of his foolery,
lad resolved TO l. form him that could Il
longer manage his business, when | re
ceived visitor.
He was so much Ike old G jeffrey D1b
bins that | was startled at the resem blanc,
Are We alone, Mr.. Gcay?' my visitc
asked
"Yes, SIR" / replied, what can d
for you?
Il see you do not recognize me. Thre
wears eau do great deal in Tia WY
char giDg man. But since you do NJ
remember ne will in.rt d1ce myself
am Gsofry Dobbins"
"Ay God, NJ! easped. II attende
the funeral o. Mr.. nobbins myself Wha
foolery is this'