The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-01-16

He fastened to bed, and sleep, that cher
Usher of the unfortunate, composed and
Caressed his limbs.
The next morning, an hour before the
opening Of court, little Mr.. Phibbs the sur.
rogate Of Aberdeen county, sat within his
private office reading the paper through
sparkling spectacles and amid coruscating
smiles. The door opened, and Egbert Loomis
entered.
"My dear fellow" cried the lawyer,
springing to his feet, II am charmed to
have you break in on my leisure. That's
right. Make yourself comfortable. Have
a cigarS 1t is pleasant to desifere in loco,
ehg Well, how is everything9 How is the
fascinating FrancesS All you lucky dog,
you will be one of US soon"
II desire to see you in your official capac-
ity, Mr.. Surrogate" said Egbert stifly
(why is rectitude always clown and ras-
cality courtierS) ''and to file with you
this document"
"Eh? What's this' Tho last will and
testament of Roger LOOMS, made only
few days before his deathg Why, the old
man must have been daft. Everything to
the Aberdeen Benevolent fraternity Pre-
posterous Let me see; Il charitable devise
within less than month of the testators
death? Oh, ho! Where dis you get this,
Egbert?"
Grandfather left package in my
charge, and only examined it last night"
And brought it to court at the first pos
sible moment! | salute you. had sup
posed that the one perfect man had been
translated some time since. Well, no
great harm, guess. Whom have you told
about thisg"
mo one. went to see Mr.. Burgess, but
he is out Of town. After ALL do not need
advice"
NO? And what about Frances"
"Ah, FranCes have not the heart to
see her. l shall write to her today"
And give back the heart you have taken
and all that folderol, eh9 Mark my words,
young man, you can't shake off a Phibbs so
easily. Fidelity is a family characteristic,
sir But write; it will serve to make you
better acquainted with your future wife.
Now, as for this document, it's will Of
course, and as such must be respected but
well, Iwon't say III have my say later
You would best take it to the president OF
the corporate board and let him act as he
will speedily. Don't be disheartened, my
boy; go write your letter and count your
blessings"
And now,r muttered the astute Mr..
Phibbs, after he had called his clerk aud
informed him to hold all business pending
an important half hour engagement, now
to see my fair niece. All, Frances, that
pretty head Of yours is about as level as
they make them; but, for all that, If it were
not for your devoted uncle fear you would
this day bite off the daintiest little nose in
| Aberdeen"
That evening after solitary dinner Eg.
| bert sat in melancholy thought over his
coffee and cigar. How tedious was life-a
| struggle through jungle into mOrass
| No wonder his grandfather had always said
that the hyperboreans were the most virtu-
Gus and happy race, since they hailed death
as victorious friend with garlands of flow
| ers. His grandfather As he recalled that
face there was tender affection in those deep
eyes. But why-no, he would not ask it.
| He would reverence the memory as he had
the man.
There was a glide, a silken rustic, and
| Frances phibbs sunk sobbing at his knees.
"Oh, doarest" she cried, this is no time
for conventionality. Oh, your cruel, cruel
| letter. How could you wrong your faith
| ful Frances soS Never shall you leave me.
will cling to your feet! Would you kill
me? Come veal, come woe, am yoursI
Welcome poverty, since it manifests my
constancy. Wherever thou goest shall go,
and thy God shall be my Godw
The day came for the hearing Of the mo-
tion for the revocation Of probate of Roger
| Ioomis' will before Mr. Surrogate Phibbs.
Egbert was present, sitting at one side,
calm and Indifferent. So We're the presi-
dent of the Aberdeen Benevolent fraternity,
expansive and hopeful, and his attorney,
James Wallace Esq, dubious and silent.
There were but few in attendance, for little
Mr.. Phibbs had way OF keeping matters
secret which he wished to be secret, while
at the same time he won frequent encomi.
ums from the press for information courte.
ously furnished.
you do not appear by counsel, believe,
Mr.. Loomis," he said when the case was
called.
mo, your honor" replied Egbert, II dc
not wish to offer any opposition"
II think you may safely trust the court
to protect your interests. Now, then, gen.
tlemen."
The will contained in the sealed package
was produced, and the butler and garden,
er with many preCatory glance toward
their young master, testified TO its eXecu.
tion. James Wallace, Esq, read its pro
visions for the information OF the court
and apparently to some effect, for that smil.
ing and sparkling parsonage interrupted as
follows
But, Brother Wallace, we have proof
here OF the date Of the death Of the testator
and it now appears that this document pro
pounded was executed only fortnight
prior to his death. 1t is hardly necessary
for me to remind you that such charitable
devise, under the statute, is void against
tn, natural heir"
"l think can show, may it please your
honor, that we are clearly within the rule
as laid down by Mr.. Justice jackson ii
Knox versus Knox, reported"
NO, no." again interrupted the little
judge II can hardly agree with you there
think must deny your motion and hold
that the probate Of the will first Offered
shall stand. Possibly the supreme court
may put me in error, but doubt it, Broth
er Wallace, doubt Il exceedingly"
But Brother Wallace was fer too erudtt
q lawyer TO tempt the supreme court
against his own private convictions, anC
the Aberdeen Benevolent fraternity wa
forced to continue It's benefactions without
the aid of the Loomis estate
~ wonder why grandfather made it?'
CUnjectured Egbert on his wedding day t
his old friend Abel Burgess. He mus
have known of its invaldity.n
Perhaps he hoped to prove to you tn,
vanityof human wishes, said the lawye
indefinitely.
Dear old mani II he knows, he is a
happy today Us l am New York Times
Patent Medicine.
The Doctor--Are you aware that balsan
OF fir possesses rare properties as II medi
cine?
The Head of the Family-I am. car
recall instances where sealskin sacl
| | soOthcd n trpmpn6ous Initiation Il, ,,,r