The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-09-15

followed him.
1t was very hard winter, and from
| almost the beginning of it the old lady
had declared that 1T would be her last
on earth.
| Her house, Gray Court, was a very big
one; but it was soon filled to overflow
ing-flled with nieces and nephews,
cousins and godchildren, all eager to be
sin at the death"
Each had received. similar letter
from the old lady's housekeeper saying:
miss Gallipot thanks you for your de-
sire to come and bid her good-by, but
she begs you will not take the trouble
of coming SO far. She appreciates all
your affection, but would not like to
trespass. If, however, you insist on
coming have her orders to prepare
room for you"
And each one came.
Each found comfortable apartment
made ready for his or her arrival,
and each found a Scripture text in large
capital letters framed upon the mantel
piece. The text was the same in each
room: "Where the carcass is there
shall the eagles be gathered together"
Gray Court was full of guests, but not
one of them was admitted to the dying
| chamber of the hostess.
The doctors, or the nurse, or the old
housekeeper seemed always on guard,
and it would have been easier to slip
past a sentry than to get past them.
On the last day of the old year the
| life of their hostess ebbed away; and
while the muffied peal Was ringing out
over the frozen fields her naked soul
crept shivering out into the night.
On the eve of the twelfth day was the
funeral, and, after it, all received
mandate from the deceased's lawyer to
attend the reading of the will.
1t was read in very large room, like
a storeroom, in which they all found
| themselves for the first time
| The will commenced with liberal be-
| quests to the deceased's doctor, lawyer
| and parish clergyman, benefactions to
| the local poor and to certain charities.
| When these were finished the guests
breathed freely.
Then followed generous legacies to
her servants and handsome provision
| for the old housel1eeper who had been
| I'll W LICE NldIlllS oO h!ttlJ Y ears.
Then came a list of the names Of all
| the guests. "To each of whom" said
the will, 81 leave and bequeath such
| legacy and bequest as 1 have already
| indicated to you, my executor, and
which you will in turn indicate and
hand over to them on the occasion of
the reading of this, my last will and
| testament"
| The lawyer paused, and, rising from
| his place. requested the attendant
servants to draw back the curtains that
hung on rings and rods all round the
room.
This being done, large cupboards were
disclosed, each having painted upon it
In large letters the name of one of the
guests
To each guest the lawyer handed a
key, requesting them to open the cup
board where they would find their be-
quest
Each one found within his or her
cupboard every gift that he or she had
ever made to the deceased exactly as
they had been received.
All provisions, fruit, cream, game,
ETC., had (they were now informed)
been Immediately dispatched to one or
other of the great London hospitals.
But each cupboard contained also a
purse in which was placed the full
value of such provisions, with a sum
equal to the compound interest on the
value of the other untouched gifts.
The will went on:
"And the residue of my estate, real and per
| sonal whether in lands, tenements, houses,
funds, stock, jewelry, plate, pictures, books
| furniture, of any kind whatsoever, I hereby
! leave and bequeath to my nearest relation. male
or female, known to me or unknown, of whom it
| cannot be proved that he or she has at any
| time shown to me any act of Kindness cour-
tesy, good will, politeness OF affection at least
| since the Sd day Of January, in the year Of our
| Lord 1877, wherein deceased my late cousin,
| Josephat Gallipot, of the firm of Gallipot &
Jams"
The will provided that such claim
must, however, be lodged within six
months of the death of the testator
And thence arose the great Gallipot
case.
The whole property subsequently
| fell to distant relation of the Gallipot
family. of whose existence most menu
bers of the family had up to that time
been quite unaware. London Million.