Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-07

ways 10 De walking encyclOpeQldS OF IN
formation.
"On one occasion. by the terms of the
will. a certain old maid was to have the
family portraits and any other pictures
that she might choose. To the conster-
nation Of the assembled heirs the lady
took not only the portraits, but all the
rest Of the pictures. Then the fur and
feathers began to fly. and the appraisers
were nearly forced to hide under q sofa
until the storm blew over. Always the
largest scraps are over the smallest es-
tates.
Another estate valued at 100000 was
left entirely to daughter and son Of
the deceased. Both were rather young.
At the time the appraisers arrived they
were picking out the articles of furniture
and 5ewelry and so on that each wanted.
When they disagreed as to which should
have any particular thing they resorted to
the ingenious expedient Of pitching pen
niles for 1t. They kept this up all the
time that we were there.
IN one estate we appraised two stacks
OF hay at SIS. The executrix approved
everything listed in the estimate except
the hay. which she said was valued too
high for pile Of grass. Another time we
went to home expecting to have many
thousands OF dollars in diamonds to ap-
praise. The woman who had left them
to her daughter had worn them all her
life and they were generally considered to
De fine specimens Of stones. AS a matter
Of fact We appraised them as glass. which
they were. There was stone after stone
carefully laid away In velvet, which was
nothing but cleverly constructed paste.
The heirs were naturally astounded and
insisted on taking them to a jeweler who
confirmed our appraisement.
THE character Of the possessions that
are left often indicate the owners trend
Of action and thought. AS an example of
this. In one case a man left 800 600 in
stocks and bonds. while his house fur
nishings were exceedingly poor and
scanty. amounting to a bare $500. Others.
on the contrary. have their houses SO
crowded with furniture and pictures that
one has to walk through little alleyways
in place Of halls. These people many
times have little or no actual money or
securities. Pawn tickets are often found
and cause us great deal Of trouble.
since we have to go to the pawnbrokers,
and appraise II.
''If Washington Is a great place for
stocks and bonds In estates. 1t is also the
home Of wildcat mining securities. There
Is hardly an estate in which We do not
find. tucked away in some out-of-the-
way corner, choice collection OF stock
of mines that either never existed or have
long since petered out. While We may
be absolutely sure ourselves that the
stock is worth nothing. We are obliged
always to telegraph or write to where
the stock In question was fioated and
ascertain the present market value, IL
there Is any. The record for quick stock
appraising was made in the case of a
citizen Of Brightwood, who had $4,000
In securities, which We went over and
appraised In two hours.
washington also contains more an
tiQue furniture than any city In the
United States. This is another source Of
trouble for US. for the reason that the
values of antique furniture and curios
are hard to keep in touch with, varying
constantly as they do.
1T might be interesting to know in
conclusion that We can appraise personal
property of a Washingtonian in another
city without any red tape. There is a
tacit agreement that the warrant OF an
appraiser will carry him anywhere and
will stand good no matter where he may
have to 60.
With regard to the cost of appraise-
ment, 1t is comparatively low. An estate
valued at 100000 would cost 500 or SIS
to go through the Probate Court. or this
about $40 would be the appraisers fee"