Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-01-03
GAVE HIM A STONE
Because of Burst of Anger Father
Disinherits Son
Missile Hurled at the Parent When
He Was a hoy IL Left 20 the
Son rs His Inherit
anee,

William C. Brhrman, chief parsonage
of this story, was a very rich man at the
time OF his death about a year ago, near
the village of Bayside, in Long Island.
lie had four son three of whom were
given large fortunes by their fathers
will. To the fourth child he left only
the stone thrown in his boyhood.
Mr.. Buhrman was a man who believed
in economy, for all his riches. Since
the year 1928 the little general store,
feed emporium and the grist mill be-
side it have fourished. They were left
Mr.. thurman by his father, himself a
rich man. The son took up the thread
of business life where his father left
it and continued ~famously. He loaned
money TO the farmers and took mort
cages on their farms. In those days
farming on Long Island was a paying
enterprise. The railroads had not then
put western commodities into compe-
ton with those of the east, TO the detri-
ment of the latter.
Rich men went there to make their
summer homes, and they are there to-
day. Mr.. Buhrman never became am
bilious away from home. He worked
nay, he slaved-at his business morning
and night, and brought up his sons &c
do likewise. One Of these, however, re-
belled against the vigorous regime of
life set by the father. There was a bit
ter quarrel between Mr.. thurman and
his son n day. In the heat of ii the
young man so far forgot himself as to
pick up a big rock and heaye it at the
old gentleman's head. Then he went
away.
The man of gray hairs said nothing.
He simply picked up the rock he had
s~killfully lodged, tied ii in a bandanna
handkerchief and tucked it high in his
safe among the bonds, deeds, railroad
stock and mortgages. Once in awhile
he would take ii out and examine it,
saying to himself: IL shall leave my
three sons 100000 each. This son shall
get what he intended for me - this
chunk of granite" lie kept his word.
In all the years hat followed the
father never forgot or forgave. The
stone stayed with his riches and on
his death was sent back 10 the Sol who
had threatened him with it, the other
children receiving about SlG0, 900 each.
Nearly that amount was found in the
old mans safe In ready cash. The re-
mainder of the fortune was in lands,
taken on foreclosed mortgages; rail-
road stocks bought at hundreds and
now worth thousands; city and
try real estate, two lots and granaries,
bank stock and electric trolley shares
all of it was given TO the three sons.
For a time the sons were apparently
happy. They built beautiful summe
homes near their poor old native dwell
ing and spent their winters gayly in
New York. But remorse was gnawing
nj their hearts. They were not happy.
Blood is thicker than water and the
stone which the old man treasured in
his just and righteous rage was nothing
TO them.
They sent for the erring brother, He
did not come. Finally they went TO
him, finding him in poverty, but de-
faint and self-reliant still. lie had
served a very hard p%enance for the one
rash deed of his life and the brothers
realized il.
They offered to divide equally with
him-to make him a colegatee with
themselves. Lawyers were brought
into the matter and quietly, without
any blowing Of trumpets, the three big
hearted, manly fellows opened their
purses and put their flesh and blood on
his feet for life.
So the old mans vengeance came to
an ineffective ending.-Chicago Chron-
icle.