Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-09-29
THE PHONETIC WILL.

DOTuOOu Ol HIS FeSlueuCe COulu ueu9.
Being a chemist, however, and an ar
dent worker in that profession, the
purpose of many of his strange doings
was seldom questioned and was mere
ly ascribed to his interest in science.
Fethengill was the possessor of
most thoroughly equipped laboratory,
which he kept secretly guarded and in
which great part of his time was
spent. He was in possession OF ample
means to crafty his most elaborate
whim, and aside from the time and
money which he spent in his labora-
tory, he reserved sufficient of both for
the proper devotion to his home and
family, as we'll as to the society in
which he was central figure. He
never allowed member OF the fam
lily to cross the threshold of the apart
ment which he held so sacred.
One morning Mr.. Fetherngill cast
feeling of depression over the family
circle at the breakfast table by open
ing a conversation on the subject of
death.
He reasoned that every man must
die-this from a scientific standpoint.
He had read of one man who did not
die, and he did not believe that.
He left the table with the remark
that he was going to prepare for death
and repaired to the laboratory leaving
his wife and three daughters in
furry of muddled thoughts.
A telephone order brought to the
house the skillful and famous Peter
Vandenbroek, whose great works of
sculpture had brought him fame and
recognition from the remote parts of
the country.
The sculptor was admitted to con-
ference with FetherngiR in his labora-
tory. On the following day he re-
turned with several boxes of parapher-
MALTA and instruments of his art.
For the ensuing month Fetherngill
and Vandenbroek were closeted in the
laboratory, but to what purpose Mrs.
Fetherngill and her inquisitive daugh-
ters could not even surmise, and
thought of entering the scientists
sanctum none of them dared to en-
tertain.
At luncheon one day the sculptor,
whose presence had graced that noon
day meal for the previous month, was
absent. Mr.. Fetherngill said that he
had finished his work.
Mrs. Fetherngill whose curiosity had
been restrained until now it was at the
bursting pressure, asked for the first
time what the sculptor had been doing.
She received the reply that Vanden-
brock had been preparing her hus-
bands will
Why a sculptor instead of a lawyer
should have been employed to draw
up a will Mrs. F'etherngill could not
imagine, and her curiosity was now
more than doubly aroused, and in
spite of a conference held with her
daughters she could not discover a
clew which might throw light upon
her husbands strange intentions.
Mrs. Fetherngill was in anything
but pleasant mood as she sat in the
parlor reviewing her husbands recent
and strange remarks about death and
wills. Glancing out of the win
dow a scene confronted her which
sent her with loud scream
into violent fit Of Mysteries. Her
daughters rushed to her assistance,
ard were equally Mortified upon see
ing two men bearing into the house
coffin from the wagon of an undeE-
taking establishment in the city. The
bell rang, and Mr.. Fetherngill per-
scnally received the men and conduct
ed them with the casket to his labora-
tory.
why did you bring that coffin into
the house?" asked his wife, her voice
controlled almost mechanically rather
than by her own will. There is no
telling when l might need it," replied
her husband, calmly. But if you OBJ
ject to its being here l will have it re-
moved tomorrow.
True to his word, on the following
day Mr. Fetherngill had the coffin re-
moved, but in decidedly different
manner than that in which it had
entered the house.
On the day before the casket was
handled carelessly and easily by two
men, but now it was carried carefully
by four men, who staggered under it's
weight. This peculiarly was not over
looked by Mrs. Fetherngill and her
daughters.
Their curiosity, rather than being
satisfied, was more deeply aroused
when they were informed by Mr. Feth-
erngin in answer to their questions re-
garding the contents of the casket,
that it contained nothing but his will.
1t was beyond them to conceive of a
will drawn up by a sculptor and de-
posted in coffin.
The casket was delivered to the Of
flee of Frank M. Adler, Mr.. Fethern-
gilps attorney and bosom friend;
there deposited in his vaults for safe
keeping, and to be opened after his
death.
This peculiar circumstance had no
effect upon hurrying Mr.. F'etherngills
danort,,ra from thic mundane opNora