The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1911-09-08
THE DIVIDED
INHERITANCE
Strange Provisions of Colo
mel Archard's Will.

Drought from England IN lOOO anu udu
since descended from father to son
When the Revolution came Colonel
Robert Archard adhered to the cause
of the king, influencing two OF his sons
to do the same. His youngest son.
Carol Archard, joined the ''rebels
and was banished by his father. Car
rol married Martha Curtis, the sister
Of brother officer in the Revolution
ary army. Carol was killed at the
battle of Monmouth, leaving his wife
to struggle for the support OF their in
fant son.
Not long after the colonies mad
achieved their independence Colonel
, Archard died He was strange man,
and it was expected that his will would
contain some singular provisions. The
expectatioA was fulfilled. He divided
| his property into two parts of about
equal value. giving his oldest son, Rob
ert. FIRST choice; his next son, James.
second choice. A third bequest was the
| family Bible, which was left to the
widow and little son of Carol Ar
chard in case neither of his sons pre-
ferred to take the book, relinquishing
his share to Martha and little Carol.
When the will was read Robert
Archard after thoroughly investigat-
ing the value Of the two portions. Sc
lected that which he considered most
desirable.
Robert Archard.- said the family
lawyer, who had drawn the will, 'your
father charged me to ask you If you
would relinquish your share to Martha
Archard and her son. taking the family
Bible instead"
"I will not" said Robert.
The lawyer then told James Archard
that it was optional with him to take
the remaining portion Of the estate or
the Bible. James showed no more dis
position to give up his inheritance
than his brother had shown
Before handing over the two por-
tions of the estate to the brothers the
attorney addressed them: II was in
your fathers confidence when he made
this will. He told me Of the existence
of Mrs Archard and her son and was
undecided what to do for them in be-
queathing his property. He determin-
ed to leave all to his two sons, with Il
request that they should find Mrs
Archard and little Carol and provide
for them.
81 told my client that in my long ex'
perience in such matters l had never
known a legatee TO part with any por-
ton of his inheritance through an in
. | ~. 1hH<rotnr-U nv
the will. | advised him that If he
wished to provide for his son Carols
family to do so by leaving a portion of
his property directly to them. Colone,
Archard declared that he had perfect
confidence in the generosity Of his sons
and that they would carry out any re-
quest he might make Of them Never
theless he took the matter under ad-
visement A few days later he sent
for me and instructed me to draw this
will, enjoining upon me the duty of
making his intentions perfectly plain
to his heirs. He desired to leave either
or both of his sons free to accept his
inheritance or surrender it to his broth
er's widow and SON."
OuE Stt1o 1NOpShe, "o' :,
rebel and a traitor, and see no reason
why should give my property to his
widow and son."
"I concur with Robert in this mat
ter" said James.
"Then sign the papers, receipting for
your portions" said the lawyer.
When the signatures were affixed the
| 10 hrnktnro tho dnnHs
to their portions and locked the re-
ceipts in his box. Then, turning to
the widow. he handed her the Bible,
"I am at least pleased" she said
'that my husbands father and my
sons grandfather has shown a kindly
interest in us. The family Bible, the
most sacred treasure Of the household
will descend through my boy, and an
sure it will have its influence upon hin
and those who follow him Take it
Carol. and abide by its precepts."
She handed the Bible to her boy.
"Turn the leaves" said the lawyer.
The boy turned the leaves, presently
coming to a bank bill. 1t was fol
$1,000.
'Take it, said the lawyer. ut be
longs to you and your mother Now
turn more leaves"
One hundred thousand dollars in bills
was taken from the Bible The TIVE
brothers. whose portions combined
were less valuable. stood watching thu
child withdraw the legacy, and wheI
the last bill had been withdrawn Rob
ert said fiarcelV.
''This is not simply Bible; 1t is {
portion of our fathers fortune and be
longs to me and my brother. We will
contest the will"
''That would be inadvisable," said th,
attorney. "since you have receipted 70
your portions. and If the will is de
clared void the widows and her SON.
J portion under the law would be thirt
of the whole, or very nearly what the!
, have received"
, The brothers retired discounted.
Mrs. Archard and her son lived com
fortably on the income of their portion
which in those days was handsome