Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1892-09-10
ADAM HOLCOMB'S WILL

Adam Holcomb was dead at last
dead after seventy years Of money
getting, and the grave had closed
over him. He had no children, for
he had led single life, induced, so
it was said, though nothing was GER
tainlY known, bv an early disappoint-
ment, which had warped his nature
and made him lead solitary and sell
flsh life, given up to Mammon alone.
Adam Holcomb was dead. and 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
collected in the Office of the lawyer,
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, a
nephew of the deceased-a vain, sell
fish, worldly man of about forty years
of age, all his thoughts centered upon
himself and his own family, who had
never been known to give penny for
any charitable purpose.
Next came Harry Holcomb,a 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 considerable money, though
his reputation was none of the best.
He was considered tricky, willing to
undertake any cause, however disre-
putable, for money. He was married
and had a family, for whom he pro-
vided in a grudging manner. he,
too, had nourished sanguine hopes of
finding himself much better of after
his uncle's death.
Last came a young man, presenting
q strong contrast to the other two.
He was of light complexion, brown
hair, clear blue eyes, and an attrac-
tive face. He was barely twenty-five
years of age, very plainly dressed.
and with a modest manner which pre-
possessed 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 medl-
cine, for which he had decided pre-
But be had been cramped
by narrow means, and was even now
teaching in village 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 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 a mat
ter Of form, without the slightest e1-
pectation Of beneflting by the will of
his late relative. He had known him
but slightly, and never received any
encouragement upon which ne could
build a hope. Yet il he could but re-
ceive q legacy of even five hundred
dollars, he thought, it would help
him materially. That was the amount
which he had vainly sought to borrow
Of the merchant and lawyer, now pres
emit with him at the reading of Adam
Holcomb's last will and testament
The merchant and lawyer conversed
while waiting for Lawyer Brief.
slave you any idea, cousin, how
much the old gentleman had accumu-
lated?" asked James Holcomb.
II have heard it estimated at two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars"
was the reply.
s'That is a large sum. I hope he
has not been unjust enough to squan-
der any of it on charitable societies."
81 hope not Thatwould be great
piece of injustice to his relations.
she never dropped anything to you
about the disposition he intended to
make of his property, did he?"
sNot he! 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 en-
downing an asylum for fools and luna
tics, and that could tell whether l
was likely to be benefited by his so
doing"
"Ho! HOP laughed James, shaking
his capacious sides; she had you
there, eh?"
81 don't see it," said the lawyer,
sourly.
.You didn't appreciate the joke,
ehe"
sit was foolish piece Of imperti-
nence However, everybody knows
what the old man was, and Ilet it pass
II It had been any one else would
have given them as good as they
sent"
ssBut you were afraid it would spoil
your chances eh?"
'.As to that, ] have no idea There
Is no question that we ought to be
Joint heirs"
sTrue," returned James. THAT
would give one hundred and twenty
Ave thousand dollars apiece, That
would satisfy me-"
How about young Graves
chancess" queried thelswyer. glancing