Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 May 1887 — His Last Bequest. [ARTICLE]

His Last Bequest.

Many long years ago old Spork sent an article to one of the leading magazines, which was promptly accepted and paid for. Since that time Spork has bought a magazine every month in the expectation of seeing his article in print, and has already squandered in th s manner a very substantial fortune —but the article has not appeared. The other day he sat down and wrote the following letter to the editor of the magazine: “My once princely fortune is squandered in buying copies of your magazine, in the expectation of seeing my article, written sixty-three years ago, in the vigor and buoyancy of my youth, published therein. My health is broken; my hopes are blasted; I feel the near approach of death. These are trifles, you may say, but they affect me; and consequently I wish you to heed the request of a dying man. I am 97 years of age, and cannot possibly live another year. At most I can buy but three or four copies more of your magazine; and so you cannot make another dollar by withholding the publication of my article. As a further inducement to publication I will refund the amount of the original check paid for the article, provided it is published before my death. Yours respectfully, “John Spork.” —Detroit Free Press.