ABOUT WILLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1956, 20 August 1891, Page 35

ABOUT WILLS.

It is curious the antipathy which some people, however regular and methodical they may be in other matters, have to making their wills. The more money they have to leave the more averse they seem to be to do that which ought to be a matter of duty ; but no, they put it off from day to diy until the last dread moment comes, and then often it is too late. A man in health and strength seldom, if ever, thinks of death, but always as if he had years of life before him. If he has made bis will he is, so far as worldly affairs are concerned, prepared to go ; but if he has not what endless worry and annoyance may he not leave behind him ? Jim Fisk, with all bis millions to leave, never made his will until he lay bleeding to death on a sofa in the Grand Hotel, New York, and it was then written on a half gfteet of notepaper.

The writer once had occasion to go to Doctors' Commons to look at a will. It was easily found, as he knew the year and the

day of the death, but what surprised him was that the will was dated only the day before the man's death. This was curious, from the fact that tbe testator had been a lawyer, and one of the most exact and punctilious in his profession — one who had probably drawn up hundreds of wills for clients, and had advised many he3itating ones to make their wills. And yet, although he had great wealth to dispose of, for years he had put off doing that which he had advised others not to delay in, until the day before his death. To make the matter worse he had drawn the will himself, and although a man of great experience, he had drawn it so ambiguously lhat it gave rise to long and costly litigation.

Another case of "putting off" was that of a man whose only child, a daughter, had married against his wishes. He, had driven her from home, and resolved to leave all his wealth to a distant relative. He, however, delayed making his will, as he was hale and hearty. One day he had a stroke of paralysis, and at once sent for his lawyer to draw up his will. This was done, but before he could sign it he had a second stroke, and, although his mind was active, his hand refused to hold the pen, and he died with the will unsigned.