Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1892-05-05
ADAM HOLCOMB'S WILL.
A Deed Of Kindness and What
Came Of It.

Came of It.
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 a single life, induced, so it was said,
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 Uolcomb was dead, and as vet
no one knew what disposition he had
made of his money
Three days after the funeral, the
next-of-l1in and possible heirs were col
lected in the Office of the lawyer, who
was the custodian Of the will and pri-
vate papers of the deceased. They
were few in numbers for the family
was not large one. There were but
three, and these three may be briefly
described.
First came James Holcomb, nephew
of the deceased, a vain, selfish, worldly
man, all his thoughts centered upon
himself and his own family who had
never been known to give a penny for
any charita BILE purpose.
Next came Harvey Holcomb, 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 con-
siderable money, though his reputation
was none of the best. He was con-
sidered tricky, willing 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 young man. presenting a
strong contrast to the other two. He
was of light complexion, brown hair,
clear blue eyes, and an attractive face.
He was barely twenty five years of age,
very plainly dressed, and with modest
manner which preposscssed. one in his
favor. lie was the son of old Adam
Holcomb's youngest sister, who had
married poor minister, and her son,
Alfred Graves, was studying medicine,
for which he had decided prediction.
But he had been cramped by narrow
means, and was even now teaching in a
country 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 tenn
porary 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 matter
of form, without the slightest expecta-
ton of benefting by the will of his
late relative. He had known him but
slightly, and never received any enconr-
agement upon which he could build a
hope. Yet if he could but receive leg
acy of even three hundred dollars, he
thought, it would help him materially
That was the amount which he had
vainly sought to borrow of the mer-
chant and lawyer. now present with
him at the reading of Adam Holcomb's
last will and testament.
The merchant and lawyer conversed
while waiting for Squire Brief.
"Have you any idea, cousin, how
much the old. gentleman had .accumu-
lated?" asked James Holco:nb.
II have beard it estimated at two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars!'
was the reply.
''That is large sum. hope he has
not been unjust enough to squander any
of it 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 hep
Not he! He was elise man, very
said the other. II 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 I could tell whether l was
likely to be benefited by his SO doing
''Ho! ho!' laughed James, shaking
his capacious sides; she got you there,
eh?''
81 don't see it, said the lawyer, sourly
You don't appreciate the joke, eh?''
SIT was foolish piece of imperti-
hence. However, everybody knows
what the old man was, and let it pass.
If it had been anyone else, would have
given them as good as they sent
''But 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
'"True," returned James. THAT
would give one hundred and twenty
five thousU.d apiece. That would sat
isfy me-"
Chow about Alfred's chances??''
queried the lawyer, glancing sharply to
that part of the Office where the young
man was quietly seated.
''Oh, he'll get nothing said the mer-
chant, contemptuously. s'He belongs
to beggarly stock, and a beggar he'll
remain to the end of his days. Going
to be doctor, hear.''
''Weli,,I wish him Joy of his profess
sion, if he ever gets in it, which is some
what doubtful. He wanted to borrow
three hundred dollars of me the other
day"
:.And of me. Did you let him have it?''
mot ]. I've enough to do with my
money without giving it away. OF
course he'd never hive repaid IL
mo, suppose not. The GOODNESS OF
some people is refreshing
swell, !. take it for granted old Adam
was much too shrewd to lavish any of
his money on such a fellow
Trust him for that. .
The young man was engaged in read
ing volume he had taken up, and did
not hear this conversation.
It twas 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 disappoint-
ment. Alfred Graves rose in quiet,
gentlemanly manner, and bowed with
the courtesy which was habitual to
him. s.