The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-09-02
What He Left to the World:
Strange Will of an Attorney

Not long ago young fellow. an op-
timist and a Chicago ttorney. down
on his luck, died in the insane ward
Of the Cook County, Illinois. aims
house. After his death his last will
and testament, the most unique and.
probably the most beautiful. on rec
ord. was found in pocket of bis coat.
On a resolution of the Chicago Bar as
ISOLATION the document was sent TO
probate and SO was spread on the rec
ords Of Cook county. For the bene-
fit of those who, notwithstanding
their condition in life, have never
been able to see or understand the best
in life, this will is published:
l, Charles Lounsberry, being of
sound and disposing mind and memo
ry. do hereby make and publish this,
my last will and testament. in order.
as justly as may be, to distribute my
interest in the world among those sue
ceeding me:
That part of my interest which Is
known in law and recognized in the
sheep bound volumes as my property,
being inconsiderable and of no account
1 make no distribution of this in my
will. My right to live. being but a
life estate. is not at my disposal. but.
these things excepted, all else in the
world now proceed to devise and be-
queath.
Item: give to good fathers and
mothers, in trust for their children.
all good little words of praise and en-
couragement and all quaint pet names
and endearments. and l charge said
parents to use them justly, but gen.
erously, as the needs Of their children
shall require.
Item: leave to children inclusive
ly. but only for the term of their child
haad, all and every flower of the field
and blossom of the woods, with the
right to play among them freely. &C
cording to the customs of children,
warning them at the same time
against thistles and thorns. And l
devise to children the banks OF the
brooks and the golden sands beneath
the waters thereof. and the odors Of
the willows that dip therein, and the
white clouds that float high over the
giant trees.
And I leave the children the long.
long days to be merry in thousand
ways, and the night and the train of
the Milky Way to wonder at. but SUBJ
ject, nevertheless, to the rights here
matter given to lovers.
Item: devise to boys. jointly, all
the useful, idle fields and commons
where ball may be played. all pleasant
waters where one may swim, all snow
clad hills where one may coast and all
streams where one may fish, or where
when grim winter comes, one may
skate, to hold the same for the period
of their boyhood, and all meadows
with clover blossoms and butterflies
thereof; the woods with their appurte-
nances, the squirrels and the birds.
the echoes and strange noises and all
distant places which may be visitant.
together with the advantages there
found. And I give to said boys each
his own place at the fireside at night.
with all pictures that may be seen in
the burning wood, to enjoy without let
or hindrance, and without any incum-
brance or care.
Item: To lovers I devise their im-
aginary world, with whatever they
may need. as the stars of the sky. the
red roses by the wall. the bloom Of the
hawthorne, the sweet strains of music
and aught else that they may desire to
figure to each other the lastingness
and beauty of their love.
Item: To young men, Jointly, de-
wise and bequeath all boisterous and
inspiring sports of rivalry and I give
to them the disdain of weakness and
undaunted confidence In their own
strength. Though they are rude,