The morning call., 1892-08-18
ADAM HOLCOMB'S WILL.

.
grave had closed over him. He had no chill
dren, for be had led single life, induced,
so it was said, though nothing was certainly
known, by an early disappointment. which
bad warped his nature and made Him lead
a solitary and selfish life. given up to Man,
mon alone.
Adam HUlcomb was dead and yet no one
knew what position he 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 deceased. They were few in number,
for the family was not a large one. There
were but three and these three may be
briefly described.
First came James Hocomb. nephew of
the deceased-a vain, selfish, worldly man
of about 20 years of age, all his thoughts
centered upon himself aud his own family,
who had never been known to give penny
for any charitable purpose.
Next came Harvey Roleomb, cousin Of
the last named, and about the same age.
He was tail, thin and angular. He belonged
TO the legal profession. in which he had
managed TO pick up considerable money,
though his reputation was none OF the
best. BE was considered tricky. willing TO
undertake any cause, however dlsreputaDle,
for money. de was married and had a
family, for whom he provided IN grudging
manner. de, too, had nouTlshed sangGlne
hopes OF finding himself much better OF
after his unele's death.
Last came a young man presenting o
strong contrast to the other two De was
Of light complexion, brown hair. clear blue
eyes and an attractive face. He was barely
% years Of age, very plainly dressed, and
with modest manner which pTepoSsessed
one in his favor. he was the son OF old
Adam Holcomb's youngest sister, who had
married poor country curate, and their
son. Alfred Graves, was studying medicine,
for which be had a decided prediction.
But he had been cTamped by narrow means,
and was even now teaching IN a village
school. hoping to obtain enough by this
means to pay for his college course. He
had applied 10 each Of his two relatives
present for a small temporary 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 expectation Of
benefting by the will Of his late relative.
He had known him but slightly, and never
received any encouragement upon which he
could build hope. Yet II he could but re-
eeive legacy of even $500, be thought. it
would help him materially. That was the
amount which he had vainly sought to bor-
row of the merchant and lawyer. now pres
ept 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 accumulated % asked
James HolcOmb.
"i have heard it estimated at $3.50, OOo,"
was the reply.
THAT is large sum. hope he has not
been unjust enough 10 squandeT any Of il
on charitable societies"
Il hope not That would be great piece
of Injustice to his relations"
"He never dropped anything to you about
the disposition he intended TO make of his
property, did he?"
''Not be! He was a close man, very,"
said the other. II once tried 10 worm some
thing out OF him, but didn't get much salts
"What did he say"
HE said that he thought of endowing an
asylum for fools and lunatics, and that l
could tell whether | was likely to be bene-
fted by his so doing"
"Hol hOV' laughed James, shaking his
eaparious sides; "he had you there, eh?"
Il don't see it," said the lawyer. sourly.
"You don't appreciate the joke, eh?'
''lt was a foolish piece Of impertinence.
However. everybody knows what the old
man was, and l let Ii pass. II it had been
any one else l would have given them as
good as they sent"
But yoa were afraid 1t would spoil your
chances. eh?"
"As to that, have no idea There Is no
question that we ought TO be joint heirs"
True" returned James. THAT would
give $4,000 apiece. That would satisfy
me-"
"Row about young Graves chances p"
queried the lawyer, glancDg sharply to
that part Of the Office where the young man
was quietly seated.
ION, he'll get nothing" said the mer-
chant contemptuously. "He belongs to a
beggarly stock, and beggar he'll remain
&c the end of his days. Going to be doc
tor, hear"
''Well, wish him Joy In his profession IL
he ever gets into II. which Is somewhat
doubtful. he wanted to borrow $500 of me
the other day"
And Of me; Did you let him have ftp"
mot I've enough TO do with my
money without giving it away. OF course
he'd never have repaid it,"
mo, l suppose not, The coolness of some
people is refreshing"
well, l take it for granted old Adam was
much too shrewd to lavish any Of his money
on such fellow"
Trust him for that"
The young man was engaged In reading
volume he had taken up, and did not hear
this conversation.
1t was Interrupted by the entrance of Mr..
Brief Both the merchant and the LAWYER
greeted him with Difference and cordiality.
as man whose words might bring them
prosperity or disappointment. Alfred
Graves rose In quiet, gentlemanly man.
ner. and bowed with the courtesy which was
habtual to him.
Gentlemen" the attorney said, 81 hold
In my hand the will of your late relative. /
will at once proceed to read IT."
VI course his words commanded instant
attention. Ali bent forward to listen.
After the usual formula came the follow
ing items:
Il give and bequeath to my nephew,
James Holc0mb, the sum of $1,000. 10 be
held in trust for his children
ITO my nephew, Henry Holcomb, l like
: wise give the sum of 5000, to be held in
trust for bis children, TO whose so le use the
income shall annually be paid
ITO my only remaining nephew, Alfred
Graves. give the sum of $1,000, to be ap-
prOpriated to his own use as be may see fit.
II set aside the sum Of 100000 to estab-
Iish a library in my native town, one quar-
ter to be appropriated TO the erection of a
suitable building, and the remainder TO con-
stitute a fund, of which the income only
shall be employed for the purchase OF
books"
Here the man of law made pause. The
merchant and lawyer sat with looks of
blank disappointment and anger, which
they made no attempt TO conceal.
''He has no right to defraud his relatives
10 this way" muttered James.
Ut is mlSeraOle lmpOsluon, said Henry
Holcomb, ito put us off with such mig.
gardly sum-"
For my part am quite satisfied" said
the yosng man. II have received more
than expected"
''Oh, yes; it will be a great thing for a
beggar like you," said James sarcasticalIy.
II am not beggar," returned the young
man, proudly.
"Gentlemen," said the lawyer, 81 have
not finished reading the will" He con-
tinued:
'My faithful old dog, Scipio. who is now
some what infrm, trust one OF my Dephews
will be willing to take home and treat In
diligently for the sake of the master &c
whom he Sss e.tsehsE"
"That's eeolt' siacnlstea kNsi al