The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-05-23

NlL of S, and am going to tell
you one of the strange but COM
mon tales of prison life. The other day
was going my regular rounds when, in
conversation with one of the prisoners who
had interested me for some time, | asked
him how he came to be in his present con-
dition. In reply he told me the following
story:
''My father died when was quite young,
and when l was fifteen my mother also fell
victim to disease. Left alone, I was
kindly given a home by man whom |
will call Charles Morris. Mr.. Morris was
a business man quite wealthy, was unmar-
ried and, in fact, almost alone in the world.
He had only two living relatives, distant
nephews. One, dissolute spendthrift by
the name of Darrell, the other reckless
Spectator named Wilmot Brently. He
had quarreled with both and their names
were never mentioned in his presence.
"As time went by | rose rapidly in Mr..
Morris estimation. He sent me to school
and gave me most liberal business educa-
ton. At the age of twenty-five | took my
place in his counting-room and soon be-
came his most trusted clerk. Indeed / was
more his son than his employe, and he
made no secret OF his intention to ulti-
mately make me his heir.
"When | Was twenty-tour was manager
of the firm and was soon to become a part
ner. All seemed prosperous when, one
unlucky day, Mr.. Morris was suddenly
taken very i'll. | was summoned to his
bedside but he was insensible for hours at
time with but few conscious moments.
In the last of these he beckoned me to his
bedside. AS bent over him, he raised his
head slightly and in a faint whisper said
There is no will, but don't let Norman
and Wilmot have my money They were
his last words His head fell back on the
pillow and he was dead.
81 went to my room in the grand man
sion and tried to think. But thinking
brought only misery. His words kept
ringing in my ears. There is no will,
then | am penniless and with expensive
tastes fully gratified. l would probably be
turned adrift in the world with my dear
wife and little daughter to starve. Bitter,
rebellious thoughts filled my heart at the
prospect. Just because Mr.. Morriss had
legally neglected to adopt me and foolishly
put off making his will, l must he first,
pampered in luxury, then starved in abject
poverty.
''Then his next words occurred to me, DO
not let Norman and Wilmot have my
money I smiled bitterly as l thought
how powerless was to prevent its going
to them, and how gladly would do so if l
could.
''Then sudden thought came into my
mind from knew not where, but it seemed
almost as il some one spoke it at my side.
why not make the will which your all
but father intended should be made |
was startled, but, shrinking at the very
name, answered the voice: But that would
NC iOlScls. 'Hly III tl1t
tempter; In reality you would only do
yourself common Justice But the pen
atty, | faltered. That need not concern
you, said my tempter; you know just
what and where the property is. You are
an expert lenman, you can write it just as
he would have written it; you will never
be discovered
II need not 90 through all the terrible
struggles of that night | need not tell
you how l wavered, how the tempter led
me on, how at last yielded. Suffice it to
say that as the gray dawn showed family
in the East, l wrote will making myself
the possessor of all Charles Morris property,
real and personal, amounting to $3.50, 200,
signed his name to it, chose for witnesses
two men who were both dead, but whom
knew were alone in the Office with him on
the day dated it, which was about six
months before. AS read it over did not
believe the sharpest expert could detect
the forgery. placed it where knew his