The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-06-25
MATTHEW WHITMAN'S
WILL.
BY PERCY CHAMBERLAIN.

= 49,
Coz.
When the dried-up old lawyer fin-
ished reading the will he gravely re-
moved his spectacles and glanced
about the group surrounding the IL
brary table.
Cn every face save one was surprise
and CONSERVATION; on that one an
amused smile played.
And yet Harold Olney had more
canse for surprise and CONSERVATION
than any of the other heirs He had
been old Mathew Whitman's favorite
nephew, had always enjoyed a liberal
allowance by the old man and had
been led to suppose that the bulk of
the great estate would go to him. Act
ing on this understanding he had not
hesitated to go the pace and mortgage
the fortune. So he was hopelessiy in
debt and now the sum of his expecta-
ton was $500. Not only he, but the
other heirs had expected his portion to
have two more ciphers added.
Their hopes had not been 80 high as
Harold's. but they all had expected
far more than they got.
The old man had treated them all
alike and had left each nephew and
niece exactly $500. The balance of
his great estate was to go to the HUI
name society. No reason was given in
the will for this strange ignoring of a
cause with which he never had mani
Tested any particular sympathy during
his life, and the old lawyer was una
BILE to give any reason in answer to
the angry c1amor.
Perhaps the angriest person in the
dingy old library was Jefferson Frank
lin, who had hoped to share equally
with Harold the major portion of the
estate. The four nieces had no such
great expectations, as they were well
aware of Uncle Mathews dislike and
contempt for women, but they had ex-
peoted $4,000 or $4,000 each, as the
old man had been a stickler for blood
relationships and his estate ran well
over the half million mark.
But Jefferson Franklin had had good
reason for his hopes to be put at least
on level with Harold. and share the
greater part of the estate. In the first
place 1t was no more than just, as he
was as near to the blood and a male
Moreover, he had led a steady. sober.
Industrious life and proven himself a
good business man, and while he knew
his uncle always had condoned Har-
ODDS wild escapades and easy-goinR
life, because of some peculiar affinity
between him and the boy, the other
nephew knew that the old man an
proved of the solid business virtues He
knew further that old Mathew Whit
man had possessed the desire to keep
the fortune together and had express
ed the fear that Harold would dissipate
1t. Besides all this Harold had a lot
of the old mans money while he liv-
ed. He had educated both nephews
and done much else for them. but Har-
old had had a liberal regular allow
ance, and besides this the old man had
paid his debts several times-and very
considerable debts they had been, too.
Uncle Mathew had frequently ex-
pressed his approval of Jenrerson's
steady business habits, and the young
'isan had good reason for his expecta-
lions So when the will was read he
scarcely could believe his ears. A pail
try $500. when he had expected more
than hundred times the amount In
deed. he had planned just how he was
to invest IL so as to become a power in
the business world.
Fifteen hundred dollarsw he ex-
claimed. why, the old fool was crazy.
We ought to break the will"
Yes, yes!" chorused the nieces. HE
was stingy old maniac. Let's break
the will"
The old lawyer shook his head
sravely. That would be difficult," he
What do you say, HaroldP' asked
Jefferson, fereely turning to Harold.
"Oh. Uncle Mathews was sane
enough" replied HaAold. And I'm
hanged IL he didn't have the right to
do as he pleased with his blamed old
The meeting finally broke up in
storm OF imprecations upon the mem
Dry of the deceased. AS they were GO
Ing the piping voice of the lawyer re-
called them.
You have forgotten a clause in the
VIII" he said. Mr.. Whitman requested
that from the amount of YOUR iegacies
you contribute enough to erect a mon
lment over his grave"
There was shout of dertsive laugh
ter from Jefferson and the nieces. The
numor of It struck Harold, and he
aughed. too.
Let the Humane society erect n |
monument! exclaimed Jefferson, saw
lgely. Il wouldn't pay for a pine shin
gle to stick over his grave" and he
trode out. artTs,SEvrsS |
And you, Miss Nancy?" asked the !
awyer of the Oldest niece,
Not penny" she answered, as she
out.
And so said all Of them, until only |
Harold was left.