Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-01-22
NV. What is that income?"


folded document, dOnned pair OF
gold mounted eyeglasses and began to
read aloud:
First, I direct my executor here
matter named to pay my just debts
and funeral expenses as soon as may
be convenient after my decease.'
did he owe much, think likely"
asked Captain Elisha.
Apparently not-very little beyond
the usual bills Of household"
".Second, 1 give, devise and bequeath
all my estate, both real and personal,
to my brother, Elisha Warren, II he
survive me, in trust nevertheless for
the following purpose-tO wit, to In
vest the same and to use the income
thereof for the education and mainte-
nance Of my two children, Caroline
Edgecombe Warren
"Edgecombe? Names for some of
his wife's folks, presume likely. Ex-
cuse me for putin my oar in again.
Go on"
land Stephen Cole Warren -
"That's his wife, sartin. She was
Cole. / swan, beg your pardon"
=" until the elder, Caroline Edge
combe Warren, shall have reached her
twenty-first birthday, when one-half
Of the principal Of said estate, together
with one-half Of the accumulated inter-
est, shall be given to her and the trust
continued for the education and main
tenance of my son, Stephen Cole War
rem, until he shall have reached his
twenty-frst birthday, when direct
that the remainder be given to him.
Third, 1 appoint as testamentary
guardian of my said children my said
brother, Elisha Warren.
"'Fourth, 1 appoint as sole executor
Of this my last will and testament my
said brother, Elisha Warren.
Fifth, imposing implicit trust and
confidence in Elisha Warren, my broth
er. direct that he be not required to
give bond for the performance Of any
Of the affairs or trusts to which he has
been herein appointed
"The remainder" concluded Graves.
-efolding the will, "is purely formal.
1t is dated May Is three years ago.
come to acquaint you with your broth
ar's last wishes and to ascertain wheth-
er or not you are willing to accept
the trust and responsibility he has laid
upon you. As you doubtless know, the
state provides legal rate OF reim-
bursement for such services as yours
will or may be. Ahem"
Maybe? You mean amt got to
do this thing unless want TOT"
Certainly. You have the right to
renounce the various appointments, In
which case another executor, trustee
and guardian will be appointed.
realize, and I'm sure that your broth
er's children will realize, your hesi-
tance in assuming such a responsible
lty over persons whom you have never
even met"
"Yes, guess Wen all realize 1t. You
needn't worry about that. Look here!
Do the children know I'm elected|
Eyes. OF course the will has been
read to them"
Hum! I spose likely they was over
come with joy, want they"
Graves bit his lip. Remembering the
comments of Miss Caroline and her
brother when they learned OF their un'
cle's appointment, he had difficulty IN
repressing a smile.
"Well, what would you advise my
doin'?" asked the captain.
Pm afraid that must be answered
by yourself alone, Captain Warren. or
course the acceptance Of the trust Will
necessarily involve much trouble and
Inconvenience, especially to one OF
your-er-settled and-er-conservative
Il Judge merely from what you have
said-your conservative habits. The
estate is large, the investments are.
doubtless, many and varied, and the
labor of looking into and investigat-
ing them may require some technical
skill and knowledge Of finance. Yes.'
"Um-m! Well, I judge that that
kind Of skill and knowledge could be
hired If a feller felt like payin' fair
wages, bey?"
"Oh, yes, yes! Any good lawyer
could attend to that under the super
vision Of the executor, certainly. But
there are other Inconvenience to
aAa"-
Country jay like me. I understand.
Go ahead"
81 mean that you would probably be
required to spend much or all Of the
next two or three years In New York"
"Would, hey? I didn't know but
bein' as a guardian has entire charge
of the children and their money and
ALL understand that's what he does
have-he could direct the children
fetched down to where he lived If he
wanted to. Am wrong?'
"No"-the lawyers hesitancy and an
noyance were plainly evident-"no-o.
OF course that might be done. Still
~
"You think that wouldn't cause no
more rejoicin than some other things
have2 Yes, yes; I cal'late I under.
stand, Mr.. Graves. Well, I guess your
have to. I was built and launche:
this. The whole house is yours. Hell;
-ourself to it. But when I'm caug.
in a Glove hitch just have to set
down and think myself out Of 1t. I
have to give me tonight to chew over
that way, I guess, and maybe you'll
excuse me-"
1t was after two the next morning be-
fore Captain Elisha rose from his chair
by the fire and entered his bedcham-
ber. Yet when Atwood Graves came
down to breakfast he found his host
In the sitting room awaiting him.
"Afore we tackle Abbie's pancakes
and fshballs, Mr.. Graves" said the
captain, ''let me ask you one more
question. This-er-er-Caroline and
Stephen they're used to hvin' pretty
fashionable society and the like
of that, hey"
"Yes. Their home was on Fifth ave-
nue., and the family moved In the best
circles"
"Hum! I should imagine life on