The morning call., 1893-01-27

death, because it has thrown them into a
state Of deep anxiety.
In this family there is young man who
from childhood was brought up under the
impression that when he should reach the
age Of q he would become the heir to a
large fortune, which up to that time was
held in trust by David Porter, his guardian.
1t may be, however, that his dream of
aflluence will be shattered.
The story OF this disappointed heir is
tong and somewhat complicated one, and
owing to the fact that nearly every one In
any manner connected with the case is ex-
tremely cautious and decidedly unwilling
TO talk about it, considerable difficulty was
encountered in unearthing the following
outline Of the incidents so lar as they are
known:
In the year 1874 Ubaldo Selma, a pros
Porous ard wel-known commission mer-
chant, died in this city, leaving a widow
and two infant sons.
Primo. the elde9t of the children, was
then a little over . years Of age. and
Ubaldo, his brother, WAS year younger.
Selma was native of the Italian-speaking
portion OF Switzerland, and he was always
known as careful business man.
So when after his death his affairs were
found to be in good order everybody was
perfectly satisfied.
In his testament, which was duly pro-
bated, he bequeathed $1,000 to his widow
and the rest of bis belongings TO his two
sons, who were to divide them equally
among themselves when each became q
years Of age.
The total amount of wealth owned by
Selma at the time of his death was some
thing over $4,000. but there were many
bills which had to be paid, and after the
widows 5000 was deducted only $500
ready cash Was left as = balance.
David Porter and Peter Ganninl were
made executors and guardians of his minor
children by Selma In his will, and they
have since acted in that capacity with
the understanding existing between them
that Potter should attend to the whole
business.
In this manner the widow and her chill
dren never had any dealings with any one,
as far rs their inheritance was concerned,
except with David Porter.
With him they had many and regular
transactions, because Selma in his tesla
ment provided that $50 month should be
paid 10 the widow for the maintenance Of
the children until the latter came Of age.
For over two years this monthly allow
ance was regularly received by Mrs. Selma,
but early in 1877 Ubaldo, the yofhgest son,
died. and on this account the monthly stl-
pend was reduced to S100. this being con-
sidered quite sufficient for the education and
maintenance of one child.
Mrs Selma and her boy Primo lived very
happily aud comfortably. drawing their 500
H.. 4,
and laying plans for the future or the time
when Primo would come into his fortune"
as they were won't to call it.
or course, having prospects of indepen-
dence the boy was not compelled 10 learn
any trade or any particular business, but
was permitted to grow up hampered with
no other learning except such as he gathered
in the public schools.
Never for a moment did the fond mother
dream that some day her petted darling
might be compelled to work, aud therefore
she utterly neglected to fit him for career
of usefulness.
Primo grew up TO be a jolly, clever
yOungsier, fond of sport and outdoor eXer-
else, and a few years ago he became ac-
quainted with g. G. Ny, master machinist,
who took liking to the young man, and
the two soon became fast friends.
Frequent fishing excursions made In each
others company cemented that friendship
and led to Ny becoming visitor at the
home of young Selma, where he soon
formed an acquaintance with the young and
handsome widow.
When Primo goes a-ishing now with Ny
he introduces the latter as his stepfather.
for, during the last two years and six
months, Selna's widow has been Mrs. G.
c. Ny.
These three people-Mr. and Mrs. Ny
and Primo Selna-resde at 1895 Twenty
second street. although Ny is at home on
Sundays only, he being in the employ OF the
San Francisco and North Pacific Railroad
as machnist in It's shop at Tiburon.
For several weeks previous TO Saturday,
the 21st inst, preparations for gay time
were in progress in that Twenty second
street cottage, because on that day Primo's
twenty-frst birthday was to be celebrated
with great eclat
Young Selma was not only to arrive at
the age Of manhood, but he was also TO be-
come the owner of the many thousands of
dollars he had all his lifetime been told
were 10 become his on the 21st day of
January. 1898.
On Monday, the 16tn, Mrs. Ny went down.
town to see David Porter. and she found
him in the afternoon IN his place Of bust
ness on the corner of Halleek and Leides-
| dorff streets
well, Mr.. Porter" said the lady. you
know, OF course. that Primo is coming of
age on Saturday, and that will hereafter
cease TO be entitled to that monthly 500.
because he will take charge of all his
money himself"
"Why. to be sure" answered Primes
guardian, I'VE will arrange all that in shape