A DAUGHTER’S TEMPER

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 November 1920, Page 7

A DAUGHTER’S TEMPER

The aid of the New Jersey courts has been invoked in an amusing will contest arising out of what is described as a libellous statement contained in the last will and testament of the late Mr Joseph Kramer, a large property owner of Perth Amboy (New Jersey). Mr Kramer died recently, cherishing the most vindictive feelings towards his wife, Minnie, and his daughter, Jennie. The first clause in the will forbids the widow or the daughter to attend his funeral on pain of losing the small inheritance he has felt obliged legally to leave them. After explaining that he could not have left his widow less or ho would have done so, the testator observes: —“I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to my daughter Annie the sum of £2 12s per month to bo paid to her as long as she shall live. My purpose in devising this monthly sum is as follows :—• One pound a month to remind her of the time in 1916 when she called mo a ‘‘black pig.” One pound a month to remind her of

the time in 1918 when she struck me while I was in the kitchen. Twelve shillings a month to remind her of the time in 1920, when she said to me while I was sick in bed; “Don’t cough so loudly; you are making too much noise; I will have you arrested for disturbing the neighbours.” The bulk of .his property Mr Kramer • leaves to his son Arthur and to his daughter Esther. The widow and Miss Jennie Kramer are contesting the-will on the ground that the testator was insane and guilty of libel.