The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-09
VANTWILLER'S WILL.
How It's Loss Affected q Trusted
Employee.

1 got up at seven o'clock that
morning, took breakfast Mt my
accustomed restaurant, and at nine
thirty / was at my office. by
Office, mean that of Vantwillcr s.
CO., a very rich banking house repre-
scented in both Berlin and New York
For five years | had been Fantwillcr's
confidential clerk. He had taken me
into all his schemes, and often had ac-
quantcd me with his most private af-
fairs. In business way, of course,
mean. lie WAS just the man to need Il
confidential clerk. Old, and every day
in danger OF falling i'll, he was bccom-
ing just Il little forgetful. Sometimes
he grew fussy or impatient and said
things which in two minutes he would
not remember having uttered. The
stress of business, which, owing to the
reputation of the firm, was enormous
was competently managed by his two
sons, who had the direct command of
the large number of clerks employed in
the banking house. My business was
to attend to the correspondence of the
old gentleman, and to answer business
calls. In short, conducted the bank
cr's affairs, and received Il most gen.
erous salary for the position.
AS said, [ arrived at my Office at
half-past nine. entered the door,
crossed over the room and hung my
sack coat on the nail in little closet
adjoining the Office. In moment was
into my buster and busy with the usual
morning correspondence.
At half after ten one of the Office boys
came in to tell ne that Vantwiller, ST.,
was coming down. got down from
my chair and went over to his desk,
very elaborate and handsome piece of
furniture. 1 arranged his papers, fixed
his chair and turned to greet the head
of the firm as he appeared in the door
way.
Good morning, Mr.. Thurston," said
he. did you receive my note last
EVENING""
~ did, SIR" exclaimed This note
was one he had sent late on the pre-
vious evening, telling me to be at the
office on the morrow without fail, rs he
had most important business to COM
municate to me.
well, after l have glanced over the
letters please lock the door and have
the keeper instructed to admit no one
until after twelve o'clock"
This he uttered as he put his hand
into his pocket and drew forth large
Russia leather pocletbools stuffed with
papers and documents.
Il will call you in fifteen minutes"
he continued, land we will settle the
business l mentioned last evening""
returned to my desk, and began to
l. a L.
the quarter of an hour was up,
glanced over to where Vantwillcr was
seated. He was still busy with his let
tiers. Presently he took up piece of
paper and examined it most carefully.
The clock hand crcpt on to the half
hour, and soon forty minutes had
passed. l do actually believe the old
man forgot that such n person rs was
in the room. Had it been anyone else
I would have interrupted him by n
pleasant remark or SO, but / knew the
man my employer was. / had tried it
once before and never forgot the Incl
dent
While he read the document, gazed
ut him in sort of half-intcrest-
cd manner, my mind dwelling on the
fact that no would not live much long
err. His appearance readily spoke
that ! began to wonder what DISPOSE
ton he would make of his wealth, for
he was very rich. and whether there
would be the usual fight over his for
tune AT twenty minutes past eleven,
MIR. Vantwiller laid down his paper
MIR. Thurston," said he. Il have a
very important errand for you to per-
form to-day; draw chair up to the
desk, and will explain"
did rs he babe. TO make long
story short, the old gentleman had
made his will. He acquainted me with
its contents and desired that l convey
it to his lawyer, on my way home that
afternoon.
s.Mr Thurston" he concluded 81