The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1893-10-07

JOScpn1t GallpOt his cousin and hc1lcS0
followed him.
1t was q very hard winter, and from
almost the beginning of it the old lady
had declared that 1T would be her last
on eartf7:.
Her house. Gray Court, was a very. big
one; but it was soon filed to overflow
ing-i]led with nieces and nephevvs,
cousins and godchildren, all eager to DO
sin at the DEATH
Each had received q similar letter
from the old lady's housekceper saying:
Miss Gallipot tn anl<s 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 Oh
coming 1 have her orders to prepare
room for you.''
And each one came.
Each found Il comfortable apartment
made ready for his or her arrival,
and each found u Scripture text in large
capital letters framed upon the mantel-
piece. The text was the saue 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
housel<eepcr seemed always on guard,
and it would have been easier to slip
past :: sentry than to get past them.
On the last day of the old year the
life of their hostess cbbed away; and
while the mufacd peal was ringing out
crept shivering out into the night.
On the eve of the twelfth day was the
funeral, and, after it, all received
mandate from the deceascds lawyer to
attend the reading of the will.
1t was read in a very large room, like
a storcroom, 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. benefaction s to
the local poor and to certain charities.
When these were finished the guests
breathed freely.
Then followed generous legacies to
her servants and q handsome provision
for the old houScl<eepcr who had been
faithful to her during so many years.
Then came a list of the names of all
the guests. ITO each of whom said
the will, II leave aud bequeath such
legacy and bcquest as I have already
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
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 .he deceased exactly as
they had been received.
All provisions, fruit, cream, game.
ETC., had (they were now informedD
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 q sum
equal to the compound interest on tho
value of the other untouched gifts.
The will went on:
"And the residue OF my estate. real and per-
sonal, whether i'll lands, teneEcnts, houses,
funds stock icwclry, plate, pictures, books,
furniture or Of any kind whatsoever, hereby
leave and beQucath to my nearest relation male
or female, known TO mo or unknown, of whom it
cannot be proved that he shc has at any
time shown to me any net OF kindness. cour-
tesy, good will, rciitenesDor arection at least
since the Sd day OF January, in the year OF our
Lord 1877. whcreon 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 a distant relation of the Gallipot
family. of whose existence most men,
bcrs of the family had up to that tirne
been quite unaware.-London Million.
A RA7TLlNG TIME.
Given u Stick and u Picket Fence the Boy
Is Bound to Have 1t.