Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1902-10-15

ance with the deceased husbands re-
quest, four gentlemen, mutual friends
of both Adler and the late Mr. Feth-
erngill, together with two stenograph-
ers completed the assembly.
The gentlemen gently removed the
casket from the vault, and as directed,
placed it in an upright position before
the awe-stricken assembly.
The lid of the casket was slowly re-
moved, and there confronted them Mr..
Fetherngill in all the likeness OF his
former self, perfect, natural, though
motionless. In his hand was an en-
velope addressed to the a.-..-,.. The
lawyer opened it and read:
adler: Under my left arm you will
find string. Pull it and carefully
watcn and closely observe the result.
"R. F."
Though dumbfounded with such an
unparalleled experience. Adler know
ing these to be the requests OF his
late friend, obeyed.
A deathly silence fell upon the au-
dience, broken only by the rumblins
OF miniature machinery in operation,
issuing. from the casket.
Every eye was intently riveted upon
the strange likeness of the mau recent
ly departed. AS they gazed upon the
figure its eyes seemed to gain express
sion and its features assumed the ami
nation of the living; its arms slowly
raised and extended. The figure took
the position of an orator, and in
clear voice, unmistakably that of the
deceased husband and father Of the
mourners in whose presence 1t stood,
spoke to the silent, expectant and
grief-stricken audience.
Hear ye." the image said. I'm the
presence of God as my witness, l, Roy
Fetherngill, of rational mind, do
make the following disposition of my
property, to be in effect Immediately
after my death:
ITO my wife do bequeath all Of my
real property in this, the city of San
Francisco, together with all improve
ments thereon, and all furniture there
In, except the furniture and fixtures in
my laboratory
Gall moneys which 1 may have on
deposit in the First National Bank at
the time of my death and upon this
declaration are made payable to the
order of my wife, and she shall issue
checks Immediately upon this hearing
to the following persons and in the
following amounts:
ITO each of my children living at
the time OF this declaration, $4,000.
ITO each stenographer and witness
to this declaration $1,000.
ITO my attorney and friend, Frank
NJ. Adler, s2,500.
ITO each and every servant in the
family employ S100.
ITO my friend, Ambrose Harris,
do bequeath all stock and shares held
by me in the development syndicate.
"All other property, both real and
persopal, which l have not heretofore
made disposition Of, shall be sold and
the proceeds be devoted to the erec-
tion and maintenance of school of
art and science, and request that
Peter Vandenbroek be appointed to the
chair of sculpture at salary of S12,-
900 year.
"And l earnestly charge all present,
as sponsors, that they will harmonious
ly work to the fulfllment Of these my
last requests.
This in the city of San francisco,
State of California, on the thirteenth
day of November, 1S9-."
At the conclusion of the Grafton an
explosion occurred within the casket,
converting what was most beautiful
piece of sculptor's art to shapeless
mass Of debris.
In removing what almost seemed the
mortal remains of his client. Mr.. Adler
discovered a phonograph, but an ex-
animation of the cylinder showed that
the chemist had arranged a knife
which followed the diamond point of
the instrument and had permanently
erased all impressions on its surface.
"Fetherngiil was man." remarked
Adler, who never did repeat anything
which he said. Robert II. Jones, in
San Francisco News Letter.