Sharp County record., 1896-10-09

What matters II my hand be stalncC
with blood, so | but thwart your pur
pose, and leave smooth water for my
self to swim In. And Angus Bruce,
cannot wait for you-you will swing
clear-I have told Murchison and al
the rest holding turpentine or cottor
that now was the time to sell, thinking
that some of them would charter Bruce
and l could get him here; but not so
The murder must seem the work of rob
bers, who undertook to burglarize the
house.
AFTER supper trip to the bank 10
examine the willard then, my uncle
while you soundly sleep, this slender
blade shall cut your life IN twain"
The knife was restored to the trunk,
and at the supper table Herbert ap-
peared almost in his usual serene
frame of mind; if otherwise, father and
daughter were so full Of thoughts OF
the morrow, that they would have OBJ
served no change in him.
"Did you charter the Sunshine, Her
bert?"
ayes, Uncle John, and Harper Will
bo ready to cast off lines at the time
desired"
At eight o'clock Herbert assembled
tie steps to the bank, unlocked the door
and entered. The iron blinds TO the
windows were closed and securely fas-
tened.
He lighted two oil lamps and placed
them on desk, then unlocked the
vault, opened small compartment and
took therefrom tin box Of rather small
dimensions.
He next seated himself at the desk
and took out the contents, which con-
sisted of several packages Of papers
tied together with tape.
The first ono he opened consisted of
Insurance policies.
The second, mortgages and notes.
The third, deeds to real estate, with
bills Of sale of several negroes owned by
the banker.
There was yet another package Of
miscellaneous papers, and in the very
bottom Of the box lay yellow en-
velope, on which was inscribed:
Last will and testament Of John
Lloyd"
Herbert arose, took off his hat and
coat, reseated himself and commenced
q careful perusal Of tho same
The instrument commenced very
much as did all wills at that period,
or as they do now, for that matter.
''In tho name Of God, amen. l, John
Lloyd, being Of sound bodily and mental
health, yet realizing the uncertainty Of
life, do declare the foregoing writings to
be my last will and testament"
Then followed several small bequests
TO some who had formerly been in the
bankers service, remembranccs to his
slaves, directions as to his funeral and
burial, and then the following clause:
ITO my nephew, Herbert Lathrop, now
IN my employ, give and bequeath the
sum Of five thousand dollars $5OOO)'
Here was the first point where Her
bert halted in his perusal Of the will,
but not for long did he halt,
"Five thousand dollars. That will
never do, my uncle. You will kindly per-
NIT me to make 1t $50,000," which he
proceeded to do by adding one more
cipher after the five and the other
three, changing the to T, running the
up and crossing it for t, and adding
y, thus making the clause In the will
read:
ITO my nephew. Herbert Lathrop, give
and bequeath, the sum Of fifty thousand
dollars (s50.0O0)"
THAT will leave me in rather better
shape, uncle. Let's see, That, sup
pose, would be called doctoring a will,
but what says the next clause2"
"All tho residue Of my estate, both real
and personal, monies, stocks and bonds,
2 lands and slaves, give and bequeath to
my daughter, Fannie Lloyd, to have and
to hold forever, and hereby instruct my
administrator to withdraw my funds
from the banking business, should not
have done 30 prior to my death, and to In
vest the same IN reul estate, stocks and
bonds, Cor my daughters benefit she at
oil times to be consulted, and further
instruct my said administrator to place
my daughter In full possession Of my afore-
said estate on her 18th birthday, and In
case she may have passed that age, before
my demise within six months from tho
date Of my death and do hereby appoint
my tried and true friend, as admins
traitor OF my estate he to act conjointly
with my daughter. and direct (havine
implicit confidence IN his integrity and
ability that no bond be required for the
faithful execution OF this trust.
I'm witness whereof have hereto fct my
hand and seal, In this the town OF Whining.
ton, state Of North Carolina this twenty.
ninth (2qth) day OF October, Eighteen twen-
ty-nine CS20).
"witneesesi (seal) JomN LLOYD
James d. Strange.
'Robert l., Dligh."
"0h, hol my uncle, This Is well, In
deed. Who should be that tried and
true friend, but the cnshler OF your
bank--Horbert Latihrop, your affec.
tionatc nephew? But let us see, these
witnesses, James d. Strange and Robert
!. Bhgh. remember hearing my uncle
say that Col. Strange replied to his
request.
DO not insert my name In the will,
Irhn ,,nttl I ,ot,,.,, f,o,, E,,,.N,>a, -.