The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-05-03
WILL OF THE LATE
MIR. TOMPKINS
Did The Spirits Garry 0ut
The Wishes Of The Man
When Dying.
WAS NEVER SUPERSTITIoUS

perstitious," said a lawyer from the
country as he sat in the courtroom
awaiting the judge, but had an ex-
perience once that has ever since in
duced me not to scott at what is called
the supernatural. Mr.. Tompkins was
one of the first clients my father, who
was a lawyer, ever had. He was
wealthy and had, as was supposed,
never been married He lived in an
old homestead not far from well
known city up the state, and his wants
were attended to by an elderly house
keeper andsseveral servants, male and
female. After became a lawyer it
was my duty to see Mr.. Tompkins
quite frequently in relation to his prop
erty and so forth. He was q kindly
man, somewhat reserved, and, when /
first knew him, probably 65 years of
age. He had strong personality both
as to appearance and character He
was over six feet and stout in proper
ton. His face was always clean shaw
ed, and he wore his hair long. When
knew him, 1t had turned to gray, but
was as abundant as ever. His carriage
was erect, and his general appearance
was such as, if once observed, could
not well be forgotten.
''AIr. Tompkins was In the habit of
spending a good deal of time away
from home, and the impression Of my
father and myself was that he was re-.
cuperating in Florida. He went and
returned without notice, and his do
mestics, being used to his Nays, never
troubled themselves at his absence,
while at the same time they were ex-
+ceedingly careful to have everything
ready for his reception whenever be
might return. Neither to me nor to my
father did he ever utter any explana-
ton of his absences from home or
make any aIlusion to them whatsoever.
Zone day Mr.. Tompkins came to our
Office and asked for my father. He
was not in just then, and Mr.. Tomp-
kins sat down and talked with me. He
asked me how had spent my time at
college and about my associates and
my age and many other things. After
pause which lasted some moments
he said:
"sYou have reached that age when
yea should marry. The best thing in
the world for you is to get wife as
soon as you can take care OF one. A
man is safer when he marries early
II looked out of the window and saw
my father coming toward the office.
My father Is coming said.
H.
ward the street. Then he stepped to
one side and appeared to me to be
brushing something off his coat sleeve.
The next instant he wheeled right
round, staggered and fell. My father
entered just at the time, and both Of
us FASTENED to raise Mr.. Tompkins and
place him on a chair. We sent for his
physician right away, and when he
came he said that Mr.. Tomplxins was
suffering from an attack of apoplexy.
He was conveyed to his home, and the
best attendance was procured for him.
my fathers impression was that his
client had come to see him on some i'm
portant business. for he never visited
the Office unless matter in which he
was deeply and anxiously interested
impelled him to do So His usual Gus
tom was to send his carriage for my
father when he desired to consult HIM.
What the subject could be which in
duced Mr.. Tompkins to visit the Office
that morning neither my father nor
could divine.
I'VE talked over the incident long
a..1 oowof.rlyxy md II. 6IaS. or41rof, ~ %I,o
conversation mentioned to my father
some facts which it had not struck me
before were of sufficient importance to
mention. 1t was not often that at that
time in my history visited New York.
In fact, up to the time of which l
speak had been to the city only twice.!
1t was a circumstance which occurred
on my last visit that | mentioned to
my father. The business that took me
to the city was in relation to some doc
uments affecting wooded lands up the
state in which a client was interested.
met an old college friend, and one
day be and | went down to Long
Branch together. After taking In the
sights we were naturally hungry and
went to the best hotel we could select.
Seated at table near to us was a par
ty consisting of an elderly gentleman
and lady and several young people Of
both sexes, ranging from to is years.
The gentleman was seated with his
back to me, and 1t struck me that
was familiar with the contour Of the
head. I tried hard to get a sight Of the
face, but did not succeed until l was
leaving, whenI so managed as TO pro-
cure pretty good view Of the gentle
mans countenance.
:. Why said to my friend, that is
Mr.. Tompkins, an old client OF my IA.
Their
II faced round and looked the gem
f.eman square IN the eye. hut he never
WINGED Or gave the slightest indication
of recognition. Then ] went away
with my mind in turmoil. II had
been called upon to swear 10 the mans
identity ina court of law. s&suld have
done so without hesitation but for the
fact that. though returning my glance
with one ais prolonged and steady as
my own, he had shown no sign of rec
ognition.
Now. needn't tell you how my "a
Their and myself began to speculate or
what thoughts We're exchanged. &uf-
fee to say that nope Of our surnsisas
approached the truth.
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