The Bessemer indicator., 1893-03-18
THAT WILL.

Ae" iorh' TOT uNe years mad been
Nantwiller's confidential clerk. He
had taken me into all his schemes
and often had acquainted me with his
most private affairs. In n business
way, of course | mean. lie was just
| the man TO need a confidential clerk.
Old, and every day in danger of fall
ing i'll, he was becoming just little
forgetful. Sometimes he grew fnssy
or impatient, md said things which
in two minutes he would not remein-
ber having uttered. Tho stress Of
business which, owing to the rcputa-
tion of tho firm was enormous, was
competcnily managed by his two
sons. who had the direct command Of
the large number of clerks employed
in the banking house.
At lO:3O one of the Office boys came
in to tell me that Nantwiller. Sr. was
coming down. get down from my
chair and went over to his desk, II
very elaborate and handsome piece of
furniture. ] arranged his papers,
fixed his chair. and turned to greet
the head of the firm as he appeared
in the doorway.
Good morning, Mr.. Thurston." ="
ssid he. "Did you receive my note
lt,st EVENING""
81 did, sir / exclaimed This
note was one he had sent late on the
previous evening, telling me to be at
the Office on the morrow without fail,
rs he had most important business to
communicate to me.
"Woll, after | have glanced over
the letters, please lock the door and
have the keeper instructed to admit
no one until after u o'clock.
This he uttered as he put his hand
into his pocket, and drew forth n
large Russia leather pocketbook,
stuffed with papers and documents.
81 will call you in fifteen minutes, "
he continued, land wen settle the
business mentioned last evening""
| returned to my own desk, and be-
gan to look over the New York Her
aid. When the quarter of un hour
was up, glanced over to where Want
willer was seated. He was still busy
with his letters. Presently he took
up piece of paper and examined it
most carefully. The clock had crept
on to the half-hour, and soon forty
minutes had passed. | do actually
believe the old man forgot that such
4 person rs was in the room. Had
it been any one else would have in
tcrrupted them by pleasant remark
or so, but l knew the man my en-
ployer was. | had tried it once be-
fore and never forgot the incident.
While he read the document,
gazed at him in sort of half in
tercsted manner. my mind was dwell
ing on the fact that he would not live
much longer. His appearance readily
spoke that. | began to wonder what
disposition he would make of his
wealth, for he was very rich, and
fight over his fortune. At twenty
minutes past IL, Mr.. Vantwiller laid
down his paper.
"Mr. Thurston,n said he, II have II
very important errand for you to
perform to-dayi draw chair up to
the desk, and will explain"
! did as he badc. 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.
"Mr. Thurston," he concluded, .I
hope you appreciate the position in
which | have placed you. You are
the only one who knows the contents
of that paper save myself and my
lawyer. This document must, of
course, be kept absolutely secret
until am dead. Therefore, in con-
veying it to Mr.. Brunson, you will,
of course, use every precaution not to
lose it. 1t is necessary that he
should have it to-day. II he is out,
give it to Mr., Rollins, his clerk, with
instructions to have it delivered to
him as soon as possible"
He handed me the document. which
] at once put among the other i'm
portant papers, in the pocket of my
street coat, hanging in She closet. l
went back to my desk to finish the
mornings business, intending to de-
liver the will on my way up town
that afternoon. had hardly re-
sumed my work when Mr.. Vantwiller
requested me to go on some GRAND
for him. The nature of it is imma
terial. 1t was only down stairs, but
l was gone about half an hour.
As returned, heard laughter in
the office. Upon entering | noticed
that the banker was entertaining
some friends. Two gentlemen were
there with him. and all were laugh
ing heartily. The old gentleman ap-
peared very jolly. His mind was evil
IDENTIFY undergoing one of those
numerous rclaxations so frequent in
him. They were just preparing to
leave for luncheon; and whilo they
were talking and laughing, went
over to the closet, to change my dus-
ter for my sack coat. As | did so, !
felt for the papers in my pocket.
They werc there all right.
Before leaving, turned at the door
to bid the banker good-day; but he
was so engrossed in his attention to
his friends that did not feel it my
place to interrupt him. So ! closed
the door after me and descended into
bHC SlFeCt.
had not far to go, however. and
soon arrived at the lawyers Office. l
sent up my card and awaited reply.
It came. saying that Mr.. Brunson was
not in, but that the clerk would at
tend to everything. The clerk hap
pened to be my particular friend, Ned
Rollins.
"How d'yc do, Thurs" ho ex-
claimed as entered. $50 the old
man has made his will! Mr.. Brunson
told me about it this morning.-Oh.
Yes! That's all right! I'll attend to
everything. just hand it over to me.
Brunson won't be back until to-mor-
row morning. Unexpected business,
you know. How's your sister? Heard
from her lately?"