Weekly News. — 1892-07-14 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

STRANGE WILL CASE.  The extiaordivary case "In re the Petit Estate • nas been settled. M. Petit was an old gentleman bordering on 90, who, the Daily Telegraph Palle correspondent says, deserves posthumous notoriety by reason of the strange distribution which he made of his property to the detriment of his natural heirs. He was long an official of the Exchequer, and died in 1830, leaving three sons, with whom he had resolutely refused to have anything to do for 40 years, owing to certain ideas which had arisen in his mind. When M. Petit was no more his children went to his abode in order to take possession of his property. They found no will, however, and no money, although they estimated that their progenitor must have been worth at least £120,000. The sons then arrived at the conclusion that their father had portioned out his prop •rty and given it to others during his lifetime. They would never have recovered a stiver had it not been for M.Petit's old and confidential valet Lebrum, who seems to be cut out for the hero of a sensational novel or a thrilling play. This man searched diligently among his master's old papers and letters until he found enough documentary evidence to enable the sons to see what had been done with their heritage. M. Petit had shared a large part of his fortune among five or six friends on condition that they paid him an annuity. The remainder of his money he literally gave to the first stranger whom he fancied. The lucky people who received his handsome donations were begged to accept a certain sum of money and never to open their mouths as to its origin. M. Petit's sons brought a criminal action against the beneficiaires for undue influence, but they were defeated. They then carried the cm- to the Civil Tribunal of the Seine and the best talent of the Paris Bar was engaged on both sides. The Court held, however, that M. Petit had a perfect right to dispose of his property as he liked, even to the detriment of his children. The beneficiaries were at the same time directed to pay over to the plaintiffs sums remaining in reserve after the general distribution.  A girl of 21, who won the last prize for beauty at Turin, has been found murdered at Trieste. The body was disfigured by two shot wounds and seven stabs, and the face was mutilated, probably by a stone, in order to prevent recognition. The murder is thought to be connected with a love affair.  -- News has reached England of the death under most painful circumstances of Miss Josephine St. Ange, the well-known actress, who went out to South Africa with Miss Genevieve Ward and Mr. W. H. Vernon's company. Miss St. Ange was killed in a ctpiage accident near Johannesburg, where she ha 4 lust been playing as Ophelia. • graceful and accomplished 'lady, Miss St. Inge began her professional career as ea operatic vocalist. —Ranting Leader.  Mrs. Billus: "John, the doctor says I need a change of climate." Mr. Billus (absorbed in his newBpaper): "That's all right, Maria. The chances are it will be 20 degrees colder to-morrow."  "Fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind." But I wonder it tie poet would change his mind. If in a crowd one day he were to find "A fellow feeling" in his coat behind. Oil or water.—Mrs. Veriknu : "Oh, I bought a beautiful o?eln landscape to-day." Mrs.Bornso: "Is it an oil (a ...,ter-colour ?" Mrs.V. : "Water- colou,F,_ of course. Didn't I say it was an ocean landscape t"