Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-01-22

In DlleI, lHe last VIII VI oo''SS
Sedgwick bequeathed everything, reaI
and personal, of which he died pos
sessed to his only nephew, Montgom-
ery Brewster of New York, son OF
Robert and Louise Sedgwick Brewster
Supplementing this all important
clause there was set of conditions
governing the final disposition of the
estate. The most extraordinary OF
these conditions was the one which re-
quired the heir to be absolutely pen
niless upon the twenty-sixth anniver-
sary of his birth, Sept. %.
The instrument went into detail in
respect to this supreme condition. II
set forth that Montgomery Brewster
was to have no other worldly posses
sion than the clothes which covered
him on the September day named. He
was to begin that day without penny
to his name, without a single article
of jewelry, furniture or finance that
he could call his own or could there
after reclaim. At 9 o'clock, New York
time, on the morning of September %
the executor, under the provisions of
the WILL was to make over and trans
fer to Montgomery Brewster all of the
moneys, lands, bonds and interests
mentioned in the inventory which ac-
companied the will. In the event that
Montgomery Brewster had not in every
particular complied with the require
ments of the will to the full satisfac-
ton of the said executor, Swearengen
Jones, the estate was to be distributed
among certain institutions of charity
designated in the instrument. Under
lying this imperative injunction OF
James Sedgwick was plainly discerni-
BILE the motive that prompted it. In
almost so many words he declared that
his heir should not receive the fortune
If he possessed a single penny that had
come to him in any shape or form
from the man he hated, Edwin Peter
Brewster. While Sedgwick could not
have known at the time of his death
that the banker had bequeathed ST.
600, 900 TO his grandson, it was more
than apparent that he expected the
young man to be enriched literally by
his enemy. 1t was to preclude any
possible chance of the minglng Of his
fortune with the smallest portion OF
Edwin P. Brewsters that James Sedg-
wick on his deathbed put his hand to
this astonishing instrument.
There was also a clause in which he
undertook to dictate the conduct OF
Montgomery Brewster during the year
leading UP to his twenty-sixth anniver-
sary. He required that the young man
should give satisfactory evidence to
the executor that he was capable of
managing his affairs shrewdly and
wisely; that he possessed the ability
to add to the fortune through his own
enterprise; that he should come to his
twenty sixth anniversary with fair
name and a record free from anything
worse than mild forms of dissipation;
that his habits be temperate; that he
possess nothing at the end of the year
which might be regarded as a visible
or invisible asset" that he make no
endowments; that he give sparingly to
charity; that he neither lend nor give
away money, for fear that 1t might be
restored to him later; that he live on
the principle which inspires a man to
4, 1n hn nv
penditure great or small. AS these
conditions We're prescribed for but a
single year in the life. Of the heir, II
was evident that Mr. Sedgwick did not
intend to impose any restrictions after
the property had gone into his hands
How do you like it?" asked Mr.
Grant as he passed the will to Brew
Ster.
The latter took the paper and glanc-
ed over it with the air Of one who had
heard but had not fully grasped its
meaning.
1T must be a joke, Mr.. Grant" he
said, still cropping with difficulty
through the fog.
No, Mr.. Brewster it is absolutely
genuine Here is telegram from the
probate court in Sedgwicks home
county, received in response to a que
~ from US. 1t says that the will is to
be filed for probate and that Mr.. Sedg-
wick was many times millionaire
This statement. which he calls an in
ventory, enumeratcs his holdings and
their value, and the footing shows &c.
$4,000 in round numbers. The in
vestments, you see, are gilt edged
There is not 4 bad penny in all those
millions"
We'll, it is rather staggering, isn't
it?" said Montgomery, passing his
hand over his forehead. He was be-
ginning to comprehend.
In more ways than one. What are
YOU going to do about it,"
DO about it?" in surprise. Why
it's mine, isn't it?"
1T is not yours until next Septem-
ber," the lawyer quietly said.
We'll, l fancy l can wait" said
Brewster. with smile that cleared
the air.
But. my dear fellow, you are al
ready the possessOr of a million. Dc
you forget that you are expected to be
penniless a wear from now?"
Wouldn't YOU exchange million
for seven millions. Mr.. Glant?"
But let me inquire how you pur-
pose doing it?" asked Mr.. Grant mild
ly.
why. by the simple process of de-
struction. Don't you suppose can gel
rid of a million in a year? Great
Scott. who wouldn't do it! All l have
TO do is TO cut few purse strings, and
there is but one natural conclusion.
don't mind being a pauper for a few
hours on the 23d of next September"
That is your plan. them"
"Of course. First l shall substan-
tiate all that this will sets forth. Wher
| am assured that there can be no pos.
-ibility of mistake in the extent Of this
fortune and my undisputed claim II
take steps to get rid of my grandfa
tber'S million In short order" Brew.