Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-24
The Most Beautiful
Will Ever Written

In the pocket OF an old, ragged coat
belonging 20 ono Of tho Insane patients
or the Chicago poorhousc there was
found. after the patients death Will
The man had been lawyer, ana the
viii WAS written in A firm. clear hand
on few scraps Of paper So unusual
was It that,it WAS sent 10 a lawyer;
and ne read it before the Chicago Bar
Association. and resolution was
passed ordering It probAted. And now
II IL on the records OF Cook County
Ill.
The will reads rs follows:
], Charles Lounsberry. being Of
sound and disposinS mind and memory.
do hereby make and publish this my
last will and testament. IN order. az
Justly ms may he. 10 distribute my in
tercst IN the world among succeeding
men.
That part OF my interests which is
known III law and recognized in tho
sheep bound volumes as my property
being inconsiderable and Of none ac-
count. | make no disposition OF In this.
my viii. My right to live, being but
n life estate, Is not at my disposal.
hut. these things excepted, all else In
the world now proceed 10 devise and
bequeath
Item, give to good fathers and
mothers. IN trust for their children.
all good little words OF praise and
ehcoui"Seihc anu all quaint pet
names and endearments: and charge
said parents TO use them Justly. but
generously. as the needs Of their chill
dren shall require.
Item: leave to children inclusively
but only fer the term OF their child
hood. all and every the flowers OF the
fields and the blossoms OF the woods
with the right to play among them
freely according 10 the customs OF chill
aren. warning them at the same tina
against thistlcs and thornH. And de-
wise 10 children the banks Of the brooks
and the golden sands beneath the wa
ters thereof. and the odOrs Of the will
lows that dip therein, and the white
clouds that float high over the giant
trees.
And leave to the children the long,
long days to be merry in. in thou
sand ways. and the night and rhe ,rai
OF the MILKY Way TO wonder at. but
subject. nevertheless. TO the rights
hereinafter given to lovers
Item: ! devise to boys Jointly. all
the useful. idle helds and commons
where bail may be played. all pleas
ant waters where one ma: swim. all
snowclad hills where one may coast,
and Ill streams and pond. where one
may fish. or where. when grim winter
coines. one may skate. to hold the
same for the period Of their boyhood.
And all meadows. with the clover
blossoms and butterflies thereof: The
woods with their aDpurte nances: the
squirrels and the birds and echoe.
and strange noises. and nj, distant
plnctR which may be visited. together
with the adventures there found. And
give to said boys each his own place
at the tireside at night, with all pic
'.ures that may DO seen Ia the burn
ing wood. TO enjoy without, let or him
dranco or without any incumbrance
OF care.
Item: TO lovers | devise their in1asi-
nary world. with whatever they may
need. as the stars Of the sky, the red
roses by the wall. the bloom Of the
hawthorn. the sweet strains Of music.
nd aught else they may desire to figure
10 each other the lastingness and
beauty Of their love.
Item: 10 young men, Jointly. I de-
wise and bequeath all boisterous In
spring sports OF rivalry. and-I give
to them the disadin of weakness and
nndaunted confidence in their own
strenath. Though they are rude.
lefve to them the power to mako last
ing friendships and OF possessing COM
penions. aud TO them exclusively I
give all merry songs and grave choruses
to sing with lusty voices.
Item: An dto those who are no longer
children or youths Or lovers. | leave
memory; and beaueath to them the
volumes Of the poems OF Barns and
Shakespeare and Of other poets. n
there be others. TO the end that they
may live the old days over again,
freely and fully, without 1.-THE or
diminution.
crowns I bequeath the happiness OF
old ages the love and gratitude of their
children, unit! they fail asleep.