The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-02-06
An Act Of Justice.

roux. and when MARITIME. his aged SER
want went in search of the aged doctor,
father Auslme became so frightfully
forced to go away. ~.
The question: How had father
Auselme made his will?" was upon
everyone's tongue and the little village
was fairly Quivering with excitement.
They knew that the lawyer when as
sembling all the distant relatives. was
acting conformably with precise in
structions delivered to him at the same
time as the will itself. But that did
not mean anything with such an orig
lnai character as father Auselme!
Still, 1t was reasonable to think that
the old man had remembered each Of
his relatives in accordance with the
various signs Of affection that had been
shown him.
This was evidently the general
thought, for in the lawyers study each
one present seemed to be making a
private examination of his conscience
And quite as evidently also, no one
seemed to feel satisfied with his ex-
animation, for the faces grew longer
every moment. They all reproached
themselves for not having cultivated
more carefully the inheritance in spite
OF old father Auselme's wicked looks
and sly looks.
While they were all plunged in mel
ancholy thoughts, M. Lheureux, the
lawyer, entered. He sat down as his
desk, after politely bidding them all
good-day, and then. as If it were quite
the most unimportant matter in the
world. alluded to the reason for their
melting together. AS he spoke, he OPP
ened his strong box and took out pa
per. carefully folded and sealed. A
long sigh of apprehension of the will
and everyone was silent.
M. Lheureaux put on his spectacles
and unfolded the paper. while everyone
present drew long breath of hope
and fear; and then. in calm. dry tone,
the lawyer read aloud:
L. the undersigned, Auslme Desor-
meaux, born at Sureauville, on the
25th day of October, 1928, do vow and
declare the following dispositions Of
my wealth written and conceived in
full possession of all my bodily and
mental health. to be the expression of
my last desires.
I had intended to leave all my
worldly gods to Francois Coupet, my
nephew, but besides the fact that he
has never shown himself interested
in me in the slightest degree. I do not
Sc why | should leave all I have to
a man who Is far more often drinking
wine IN the tavern than working in the
fields''
The lawyer paused a moment as if
to give big Coupet time to feel the full
effects Of his late relatives full dis
pleasure: Then he continued as dry
" as before:
Il also thought that Couviers. who
are my second cousins. had some at
lection for me-
Here the couple referred to nodded
thelr heads aftrmatively while slight
blush dyed Madame Couvier's cheeks.
But the lawyer read on. II have
not been slow In discovering that their
aHection was merely feigned. I have
therefore chosen more deserving
heir"
Madame Couvier's face grew purple,
while her husband thumped viciously
upon the flor with a stick.
Oblivious to all that happened about
him. the little lawyer continued plac-
idly:
Neither do I see any reason why I
should heip tn. Meners. the Saincloins,
the Chevillards-"
w.ozsawmonhs ,Js-Hyat bbmb bm b
Groans were uttered like commas,
after each of these names but a }stif1ed
silence fell upon the entire company
at the conclusion of this strange will.
All my life," read M. Lheureux, II
have been shocked at the spectacles of
various deeds of injustice. I have re-
solved to atone for one. I bequeath all
my wealth of every kind to DR.. And
roux. He has never entered my house.
l have never demanded his care. It
pleases me to pay him in the place
OF all those who have neglected to do
so!
Done at sureaville, the twenty-fifth
of February, 1902
"AUSLEME DESORMEAUX."
((Copyrighted. 1904, by the Foreign
Story Syndicate Co.. Burlington. VIZ