Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-08-20
CHAPTER XVII.
SETTING A CHECKMATE.

SETTING A CHECKMATE.
Sitting expectant in his chair, Mr.
Violet hears the step of the footman
returning to the carriage, the creaking
of the handle, then the firm tread of
the old soldier on the tagged pavement
soon after in the hall passage Jen-
ners pushes open the Office door, as he
does so saying, in a tone of majestic
Ceremony:
General Harding"
In another instant the General ent-
ers; the clerk following, shut to the
door; then siding off into the closet,
closes its door also, and places him
self against the partition wall in atti-
tude to listen.
General Harding" repeats the at
torney, springing to his feet, as if TAX
en- by surprise: then stepping forward
and obsequiously bowling to the lowest
button of his visitors surtout coat.
YES" bluffiy responds the General
''That's my name. Yours is -
''Woolet, sir-Samuel Violet, at
your service"
We'll, i want some service from
you-if you are not otherwise engaged.
Amy engagement, General must
stand aside for you. What can / do
to oblige YOU
the General, somewhat sarcastically;
81 simply want you to act for me in
your professional capacity. You're a
solicitor. believe
My name is in the Law List. You
can see it here"
Mr.. Violet, taking volume from
the table, commences turning over its
leaves.
Never mind the Law List" impa-
tiently interrupts the General. 81 take
that for granted. It's on your door,
plate
1T is. General" rcjoins the lawyer,
laying down the book and again bow
well, l suppose you can make
will?"
ooh, yes, General. Though 1 cannot
boast of any great professional abilities
think | could manage that
Enough said. Sit down, and set
about it,
Mr.. Woolet has some cause for feel
ing offended at his visitors brusque be-
havior. Never before has he been SO
imperiously approached-at least, not
IN his own office. But, then, never be-
fore has he had a client of such class;
and whatever annoyance caused him,
he is careful not to show it. Maekly.
and with the smile ON his face still I'M
ruffied, he sits down behind his table,
after placing a chair for his client on
the opposite side.
Now, sir" proceeds the General,
write as dictate" This said without
even the prefix please"
The lawyer spreads a sheet of blue
foolscap before him. seize his pen,
plunges it into an inkstand, and then
holding it poised, says:
I'm ready"
General Harding dictates:
Il hereby will and bequeath to my
eldest son, Nigel, all my property, real
and personal, comprising lands, houses,
stock in government securities, and
money in bank, saving and excepting
the sum of one thousand pounds ster-
ling, to be drawn from bank deposit at
my death, and paid over to my young
est son, Henry, as the sole legacy to
be left him out of my estate"
Having dictated the above slowly and
deliberately, the General sits in silence,
waiting until Mr.. Violet has taken it
all down. The lawyer, having done
this, in turn waits, expecting there will
be more.
You've written that out" asks his
client?
Il have, General"
"HIave you affixed the date?"
Not yet"
ssPut it in"
Woolet again yields his pen, and sets
Z, down the date.
Now let me have look at it." saws
the testator, reaching across the table.
The sheet of blue-wove is pushed to-
wards him. The General takes it up
and reads what has been written. not