Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1925-09-23
CHAPTER w
Argument


"You know Franniston, don't you,
Rogers" Barrows asked "This, ac-
cording to the legal phraseology," he
continued in his usual, sarcastic tones.
is the last will and testament of
FRANKLIN Rogers, recently deceased. /
intend to probate it at Warrington to-
morrow. Therefore, / thought that
ia better read it to you two inter
ested gentlemen tonight"
Just a minute !" Rogers rose heat
eddy. 81 object to this man being
here L"
GO ahead and object, if it will do
you any good. put up the money
for you and your father. I'm here, and
I'm going to stay here. I'm interest
ed in this will, and I'm going to hear
it read"
Barrows, meanwhile, had turned a
cold eye upon the younger man.
ITO my son, Barton Rogers con-
tinued the biting words of the at
torney ignoring Bart's protest, 81 give,
devise and bequeath all my real and
personal belongings with such excep-
lions as shall be noted below, all
moneys goods chattels and effects, and
the sole right and title to 100 acres of
land comprising the northwest quar-
ter of Section So, Township 8, Range
"a, to have and to hold, and with all
rights and concessions to do with as
he will, except as follows:
NV f,.;O n.
niston, in recognition of his unfail-
ing friendship"
That's liep' shouted Bart. 81
won't believe it"
"-in recognition Of his unfailing
friendship and his succor in time Of
need" went on Barrows, II give, de-
wise and bequeath all oil and mineral
rights underlying the surface Of the
land comprised in the northwest quar-
ter of Section 60, Township 8, Range
"a, the same being the Identical sec
tlnn, township and range mentioned in
the previous paragraph of this docu-
ment. Upon acceptance of this be-
quest, with the right to experiment in
search Of such mineral and oil depOs-
its, and the free use of such land as
shall be necessary for such investiga-
ti0ns, the rental of any needed land
for pipeage, derricks, wells, mines,
shafts and other equipment in case
Of the discovery and production of any
oil or mineral, said rental to the afore-
said Barton Rogers not to exceed Sc, 800
per year, payable at the end of each
calendar year, and with the agreement
and understanding that all oil and min
erals which shall be taken from the
ground or beneath the ground upon
this previously described land, shall
be the sole right and property of said
Egbert Franniston, it is agreed and
understood that any and all debts in
Cured by the testator during his life
time and by the said Barton Rogers
before the death of the testator, at this
time owing to the said Egbert Franni-
ston, including notes, deeds, chattel
mortgages or any other paper of in
debtedness, shall be declared by the
said Egbert Franniston to be null, void
and Cancelled, and without recourse in
law"
It was the Joker in the will The
thing which gave Barton Rogers ev-
erything-yet nothing!
"Let me read that again p came
huskily from Bart.
I'm case you don't understand
that"
st understand the words" came
somewhat thickly.
"But not the meaning? It's simple
enough. Just this: Franniston takes all
oil on that land and cancels the debts
you owe him. 1t was bargain which
seemed to be all on the side OF your
father. Franniston here will tell you
that said that very thing to him the
day the will was signed-all three Of
us were up here in this office. Your
father thought this would be the last
place In the world where oil would
be discovered, and told us so. thought
the same thing. Franniston thought
differently. He said that he was will
ing to take the gamble and would lend
your father up to $4,000 for it. That
you didn't get the money is"
'Im willing to pay up the rest to
show that I'm on the square" Fran
niston was lighting his cigar. Bart
Rogers turned on him.
"Are your? he jeered. "A wonder
full philanthropist, with millions in
sight!'
ST didn't know 1t when 1 made the
bargain"
'T've got a different opinion of that.
Besides, l won't believe this until see
the signature and"
Look on the bottom of the page.
them came acidly from Leon Barrows.
rs that your fathers writings? Q
The eyes of the young man CEN
teEed.
"Yes," came at last.
Bart could not Understandable he
did recognize the signature as his IA
TIERS.