Part 62 (1/2)
”Would it indeed?” And again Helmsley smiled.
”Everybody would talk of it,” proceeded Owlett, lost in rapturous musing--”The disposal of a rich man's millions is always a most interesting subject of conversation! And you actually didn't know you had such a rich namesake?”
”No, sir, I did not.”
”Ah well! I suppose you live in the country, and people in the country seldom hear of the names that are famous in towns. Now let me consider this Will again--'I, David Helmsley, being in sound health of mind and body, thanks be to G.o.d, do make this to be my Last Will and Testament, revoking all former Wills, Codicils and Testamentary Dispositions. First I commend my soul into the hands of G.o.d my Creator, hoping and believing, through the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, to be made partaker of life everlasting'--Dear me, dear me!” and Mr. Owlett took off his spectacles. ”You must be a very old-fas.h.i.+oned man! This sort of thing is not at all necessary nowadays!”
”Not necessary, perhaps,” said Helmsley gently--”But there is no harm in putting it in, sir, I hope?”
”Oh, there's no harm! It doesn't affect the Will itself, of course,--but--but--it's odd--it's unusual! You see n.o.body minds what becomes of your Soul, or your Body either--the only question of importance to any one is what is to be done with your Money!”
”I see!” And Helmsley nodded his head and spoke with perfect mildness--”But I'm an old man, and I've lived long enough to be fonder of old-fas.h.i.+oned ways than new, and I should like, if you please, to let it be known that I died a Christian, which is, to me, not a member of any particular church or chapel, but just a Christian--a man who faithfully believes in the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The attorney stared at him astonished, and moved by a curious sense of shame. There was something both pathetic and dignified in the aspect of this frail old ”working man,” who stood before him so respectfully with his venerable white hair uncovered, and his eyes full of an earnest resolution which was not to be gainsaid. Coughing a cough of nervous embarra.s.sment, he again glanced at the doc.u.ment before him.
”Of course,” he said--”if you wish it, there is not the slightest objection to your making this--this public statement as to your religious convictions. It does not affect the disposal of your worldly goods in any way. It used--yes, it used to be quite the ordinary way of beginning a Last Will and Testament--but we have got beyond any special commendation of our souls to G.o.d, you know----”
”Oh yes, I quite understand that,” rejoined Helmsley. ”Present-day people like to think that G.o.d takes no interest whatever in His own creation. It's a more comfortable doctrine to believe that He is indifferent rather than observant. But, so far as I'm concerned, I don't go with the time.”
”No, I see you don't,” and Mr. Owlett bent his attention anew on the Will--”And the religious preliminary being quite unimportant, you shall have it your own way. Apart from that, you've drawn it up quite correctly, and in very good form. I suppose you understand that you have in this Will left 'everything' to the named legatee, Mary Deane, spinster, that is to say, excluding no item whatsoever? That she becomes the possessor, in fact, of your whole estate?”
Helmsley bent his head in a.s.sent.
”That is what I wish, sir, and I hope I have made it clear.”
”Yes, you have made it quite clear. There is no room for discussion on any point. You wish us to witness your signature?”
”If you please, sir.”
And he advanced to the bureau ready to sign. Mr. Owlett rang a bell sharply twice. An angular man with a youngish face and a very elderly manner answered the summons.
”My confidential clerk,” said Owlett, briefly introducing him. ”Here, Prindle! I want you to be witness with me to this gentleman's Will.”
Prindle bowed, and pa.s.sed his hand across his mouth to hide a smile.
Prindle was secretly amused to think that a working man had anything to leave worth the trouble of making a Will at all. Mr. Owlett dipped a pen in ink, and handed it to his client. Whereat, Helmsley wrote his signature in a clear, bold, unfaltering hand. Mr. Owlett appended his own name, and then Prindle stepped up to sign. As he saw the signature ”David Helmsley,” he paused and seemed astonished. Mr. Owlett gave a short laugh.
”We know that name, don't we, Prindle?”
”Well, sir, I should say all the world knew it!” replied Prindle.
”All the world--yes!--all except our friend here,” said Owlett, nodding towards Helmsley. ”You didn't know, my man, did you, that there was a multi-millionaire existing of the same name as yourself?”
”No, sir, I did not!” answered Helmsley. ”I hope he's made his Will!”
”I hope he has!” laughed the attorney. ”There'll be a big haul for the Crown if he hasn't!”
Prindle, meanwhile, was slowly writing ”James George Prindle, Clerk to the aforesaid Robert Owlett” underneath his legal employer's signature.
”I should suggest,” said Mr. Owlett, addressing David, jocosely, ”that you go and make yourself known to the rich Mr. Helmsley as a namesake of his!”
”Would you, sir? And why?”