Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1900 — EMPHASIZED HIS LAST WILL. [ARTICLE]

EMPHASIZED HIS LAST WILL.

How an Old Steamboat Captain Tried to Prevent a Contest. > “I am free to admit this story sounds a trifle fisfiy/’ said a New Orleans lawyer, chatting over an after-dinner cigar, “but I happen to know It is absolutely trqe. Last summer a local business man, whom it isn’t necessary to name, made a new will of rather an elaborate and peculiar character. Tam bound to say to you,’ remarked bis attorney, when the document was completed, ‘that 1 think it more than likely. your children will make a contest if this will.is ever probated.’ ’l’m going to have a talk with them ou that very subject,’ retorted his clent.. ’Yes,’ replied the attorney, 'but when your voice is stilled forever they may thiuk differently about it.’ “That remark set the old man to pondering, and he’ finally bit on a very picturesque expedient. He bad a phonograph at his office, and, putting on a fresh cylinder, he roared his last injunctions into the receiver, in his most impressive style. Then be carefully removed the record, swathed It in cotton wool, and filed it away with the will. Next day he sent for the lawyer and gave him specific directions what to do after the demise. ’1 want you to call the family together,’ he said, 'and read the will carefully from beginning to end. As soon as you get through and before they have time to talk about it. start the phonograph going and let ’em hear my last message. Be sure to have a good, big horn on the machine and see that everything Is In first-class working order. You had better keep the thing in your office,’ he continued, ’and any time a contest is mentioned just turn it loose.’ “The old gentleman was a steamboat ’ captain in his early days and be has a way of giving an order that makes one* jump to here it. 1 am inclined to believe that his scheme is a good one. and that his parting adjuration, coming as it were from the grave, will have a highly discouraging effect on litigation.”—New Orleans Times-Democrat.