Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1893-09-14


Joscphat Gallipot his cousin and hcircss
followed him
1t was very hard winter, and from
almost the beginning of it the old lady
had declared that IL would be her last
ON earth
Her house, Gray Court was very big
one; but 1t WINS soon filed to overflow
ing--fillcd with nieces and nephews,
cousins and godchildren, all eager to be
''in Mt the death"
Each had received similar letter
from the old lady's housclSeepcr saying.
Miss Gallipot thanks you for yotit de-
sire to come and bid her good-by, but
she bcgs you will not take the trouble
OF coming so far She appreciates all
your affection, but would not like to
trespnss. II, however you insist on
coming have her orders to prepare o
room for you"
And each one came.
Each found a comfortable apartment
made ready for his or her arrival,
and each found n Scripture text in large
capital letters framed upon the mantel-
piece. The text was the same In each
room: "Whcrc the carcass Is thero
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
housclSccpcr 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 tho
| life of their hostess ebbed away; and
while the muflled peal was ringing out
over the frozen fields her naked soul
crcpt shivcring out into the night.
On the eve of the twelfth day was the
funeral, and, after it, all received a
mandate from the dcccased's 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. benefactions to
the local poor and to certain charities.
| When these were finished the guests
breathcd freely.
Then followed generous legacies to
her servants and a handsome provision
| for the old housckccper who had been
faithful to her during SO many years.
Then came list of the names of all
the guests. ITO each of whom" said
the will, 81 leave and bequeath such
| legacy and bequest as l 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 sum
equal to the compound interest on the
value of the other untouched gifts
The will went on:
| sand the residue Of my estate, real and per.
sonal, whether in lands, tenements, houses,
funds, stock, jowelry, plate, pictures, books
furniture or Of any kind whatsoever, / hereby
| leave and bequeath to my nearest relation. male
| or female, known 10 me or unknown, Of whom IL
cannot DO proved that no or she has at any
| tmc shown to me any act OF Kindness cour-
| tesy, goodwill, poltcness or affection ut least
since the Sd day Of January, In the year OF our
Lord 1877, whercon deceased my late cousin
Josephat Galipot, Of the firm OF Gallipot B
| 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 men,
bcrs Of the family had up to that time
been quite unaware. London Million