Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1905-01-27

ole Stolen Will.
~ O. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1883, when l was walking DrlShAy
along a country road of southwestern
Ohio. Now and again, as reached the
brow of a hill | saw the Ohio river
~Rich had flooded its banks, for we
..Ad heavy rains of late. They, to-
gether with the melted snow, had
made the gentle river wild and
dangerous stream.
would gladly have fingered to
watch the rushing current, carrying
timber, parts of wrecked houses, and
maAy other indications of its destruc-
tive power; but / had come to the
Buckeye state for another purpose, and
was anxious to reach my destination
an hour or two before dark.
intended to visit a friend, Fred
Andersen, whose acquaintance mad
made in the East. He was a fine
specimen of western youth, and very
soon we felt drawn to each other, mu-
tual confidence cementing our friend
ship. He often told me of the old
homestead on the Ohio, his mother,
long dead, and the queer notions OF
his father. Old Mr.. Andersen once
had lost a lawsuit through the trick
cry of an attorney, and since that time
condemned all lawyers.
Fred had an elder brother, Henry,
scapegrace, who had grieved his father
great deal. Once, when the fathers
patience gave out, he handed Henry
several thousand dollars, and told him
- Oh
old home. The son took the money,
roamed through the world, and came
back penniless but proud, even boast
ing of the wild life he had led and
the sinful way in which he had wasted
his money. Then the father bought
him a small farm, not far from the
homestead, and gave him to under
stand that he would be disinherited,
having received his share. The sons
eyes shone with an evil light, when
thus informed, but he dared not rebuke
his stern father.
Now, however, there was different
state of affairs. A few weeks ago
Fred had sent me letter, stating that
be wished very much to have me come
and see him.
you know" he wrote, your pres
ence helps me. If | ever needed
friend, it is now; so come on and
steady me in my troubles"
l was busy man, and spring was
not my vacation season, but neverthe-
less could not resist Freds pleading.
[ had not notified him of my coming,
intending a surprise, which pleasure
had to be paid for by walking the few
miles from the station to his house.
For while l enjoyed the walk. The
air was bracing, and the scenery of
the river and the Kentucky hills be-
yond, was charming. But after while
began to feel tired, and wondered
whether Fred's house was still far off.
came to a neglected-looking farm
house, and determined to inquire for
the Andersen place. When, after
knocking, the door opened, l cried out,
why, Fred, there you are!" But in a
moment l saw that I was mistaken.
The man in the door certainly looked
ike Fred, but his face had something
repulsive, especially as he glared at
me when l mentioned Fred's name.
ooh, l guess you mean my good
brother, papa's boy the stranger
sneered. "He lives in papa's house
over there"
AS he indicated the direction,
looked and saw the homestead about
Aalf mile off. When l turned back
% thank the man, the door was shut
1t was Henry Andersen, then, whom
had Unexpectedly met. He was not
tlone in the house, for on the wall
opposite the door l had seen a looking
glass, and reflected in it face with
gfizzled beard and spectacles. l had
seen, also, that the owner of that face
srisd to keep out of my sight, but evil
ieritly was not conscious of the mirror
Not long afterward, I reached Fred's
to1le, and was cordially welcomed.
After the preliminaries l remarked
about the ''high" river.
YES" he answered, ''it's dangerous
If 1t weren't for the levee, the down
town district of the city would be
aootlad. AS it is, the high water has
stopped up the sewer-outlets, SO that
The cellars are being flooded. The
newspapers, too, are giving warning
But, then, people living along the Ohio
are Quite used to these floods"
While he spoke, watched him close
Iy anc saw a worried look on his face
"Is anything troubling you, Fred 2"
asked.
''Yes, there is,'' he answered, land
migAt as well tell you what it is.
You know father always steered clear
If lawyers and courts, ever since that
one Lawyer got the best of him. Well,
he ma1e a villa crude affair-but
never Fad it recorded. I read it the
lay he Died 1t made me heir of every
| thing. That will has been missing for
The last two days, and | think some
body haR stolen it. Unless / recover
It, l am afraid my brother will give
NE a great deal of trouble. He will
10 it, anr way, but the will was made
10 head off all such attempts. Now
what shall / do? I have nothing to
prove my heirship but letter which
father sfnt me when Henry came
home ami got the little farm In it,
father tells me that he will disinherit
Henry ard make me sole heir. That
letter is worth something, Of course,
but DOUBT whether it will be sufficient
to establish my claim"
AS he finished, he drew his hand
over his Snow and eyes, and I noticed
that he was indeed very much
troubled.
"You see," he continued, 81 wouldn't
mind sharing with my brother. for |
.annot forget our boyhood days; but
| I know be would not stop until he'd
nave the lions share, and it would be
painful, taen, to see him squander the
fortune father built up through years
Of close economy"
'I'll tel YOU. Fred" said, after a
ong pause, you want legal advice.
DON'T you know of good lawyer
| You certainly do net share the preju-
| lice of yoar father7"