Herbert Carters Legacy | Page 8

considerately commenced reading at once. After the
usual introduction, the will proceeded thus:
"To my sister Nancy I give the use of my house, rent free, as long as
she shall live. I leave her also an income of two hundred dollars a year,
which, as her wants are small, will be sufficient to maintain her in
comfort."
The old lady breathed a sigh of relief. Her fears were removed. She
could continue to live as she had been accustomed to do, and need not
be beholden to private or public charity. Mrs. Pinkerton was not so well
pleased. She felt almost as if she had been deprived of what belonged
to her by right. She frowned at Miss Nancy, but the old lady was
unconscious of the displeasure excited in the bosom of her
imposing-looking relative.
The lawyer proceeded: "To my cousin, Alonzo Granger, I leave one
hundred dollars; not because he needs it, for I understand that he is
well-to-do, but as a mark of remembrance."
The farmer scowled slightly, and opened and closed his brown hands in
dissatisfaction. He was well-to-do; but when was a man ever satisfied
with that? He had counted upon a few thousands, with which he
proposed to buy an adjoining farm. Mrs. Pinkerton, however, was
pleased. There was so much the more for her.
"To Cornelius Dixon"--here Herbert's morning acquaintance began to
feel excited--"I bequeath one hundred dollars, to buy a looking-glass
and a new suit of clothes."
The young man's face lengthened very perceptibly as he heard the
small amount of his legacy, and he glared savagely at Mrs. Pinkerton,
who showed a mirthful face at his discomfiture.
Her turn came next.

"To Josiah Pinkerton, his wife and children, I leave one hundred dollars
apiece; also my best black pantaloons, which he or his wife may
appropriate, as may be arranged between them."
All except the Pinkertons laughed at this sly hit, and even the lawyer
smiled; but the stout lady flushed with rage and disappointment, and
ejaculated: "Abominable!" The eyes of all were now directed to
Herbert, who was the only one remaining. Could it be possible that the
balance of the property was left to him? The fear of this made him the
focus of unfriendly eyes, and he became restive and anxious.
"To my namesake, Herbert Carter, I leave a black trunk which I keep in
my room, with all that it contains. To his mother I direct that the sum of
one hundred dollars be paid."
This was not much, but it was more than Herbert had expected. He
knew how welcome even one hundred dollars would be to his mother,
and he looked satisfied--the only one of the party, except the old lady,
who showed any pleasure at the contents of the will.
The relatives looked bewildered. All had been mentioned in turn, and
yet but a small part--a very small part--of the estate had been disposed
of. Mrs. Pinkerton bluntly expressed the general curiosity.
"Who's to have the rest, Mr. Spencer? "she demanded.
"I'm coming to that," answered the lawyer, quietly.
"All the rest and residue of my property, of whatever kind, I leave to
the town of Randolph, to establish a high school, directing that not
more than twenty thousand dollars be expended upon the building,
which shall be of brick. I desire that the school shall be known as the
Carter School, to the end that my name may be remembered in
connection with what I hope will prove a public blessing." "That is all,"
said the lawyer, and he laid down the will upon the table.

CHAPTER V

WHAT CAME AFTERWARD
There was silence for a minute after the will was read. Mrs. Pinkerton
fanned herself furiously, and looked angry and excited.
At length she said: "I wish to say that that is a very unjust will, Mr.
Spencer."
"I am not responsible for it, Mrs. Pinkerton," answered the lawyer,
quietly.
"I don't know what the rest of you think," said the angry lady, with a
general glance around the office, "but I think the will ought to be
broken."
"On what grounds?" asked Mr. Spencer.
"He had no right to put off his own flesh and blood with a beggarly
pittance, and leave all his money to the town."
"Pardon me; whatever you may think of Mr. Carter's will, there is no
doubt that he had a perfect legal right to dispose of it as he did."
"Then the laws ought to be altered," said Mrs. Pinkerton, angrily. "I
don't believe he was sane when he made the will."
"If you can prove that," said the lawyer, "you can set aside the will; but
not otherwise."
"My brother was in his right mind," here interposed Miss Nancy. "He
always meant to give