De Mortuis Nil Nisi Bona Part 7

After the funeral, the chief mourners met in the library and the Family Solicitor, with a gla.s.s of wine within easy reach, read out the last Will and Testament of James Hotchkiss Deceased.

This interesting doc.u.ment brought a ray of comfort to bleeding hearts, for several substantial Legacies were mentioned, all free of duty, and two at least of the prospective Legatees were observed to make rapid calculations on the left s.h.i.+rt cuff.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "To Rachel and Joyce Proudfoot (my sister's little girls, aged 32 and 27 respectively), 10,000 each."

Joyce: "Think of it, Rachel!! Ten thousand pounds!!! Why the young fellows will simply chase us!!!"]

To Sophia Hotchkiss ("my own dear Wife") the deceased left his Horses, Carriages, Motor Car, Household Furniture, Pictures, including the Landscape by Earp, Linen, Plate, Gla.s.s, &c., absolutely.

To George Proudfoot ("my dear sister's only son") the deceased left his Horned Cattle, i.e., Cows, and 20,000.

To Rachel and Joyce Proudfoot ("my sister's little girls"), the deceased bequeathed 10,000 each. The Misses Proudfeet were aged 32 and 27 respectively.

To Richard, William and Algernon Hotchkiss ("my never-to-be-forgotten brother's sons") the deceased left 20,000 each, and to John Willett ("my faithful valet"), 2,000.

The Residue of the Estate was bequeathed absolutely to the Widow.

The Executors lost no time in having the Property valued and the debts due by the deceased at his death, ascertained, and their efforts disclosed "a very lamentable state of affairs," at least, such was the opinion expressed by the Reverend Stephen Collins who had called to comfort the Widow in her affliction.

The Horses, Carriages, Motor Car, &c., including the Landscape by Earp, were valued at 2,000; the Horned Cattle, i.e., the Cows, were put down at 400, and the rest of the Property at 40,893 16s 0d.

The Debts due by the deceased amounted to 1,720 0s. 0d., and the Funeral Expenses to 339 7s. 0d. These latter were considered unreasonable by the Inland Revenue Authorities, and in spite of several very eloquent appeals addressed to them by the Executors, including a touching letter from the Reverend Stephen Collins dealing with the blameless life of the deceased, the amount allowed was fixed at 33 16s. 0d.

The Testamentary Expenses, exclusive of Estate Duty, amounted to 186 13s.

0d.

What amount was eventually received by each Legatee?

[Ill.u.s.tration: "At the age of 16 he made the acquaintance of Miss Harriett Hopkins. In the following spring he had successfully reached the 'Walking-out' stage."]

PROBLEM No. 21.

Mr. and Mrs. Turvey were justly proud of their son "'Erbert." He was their only child, and always wore a Frock Coat, Brown Boots and White Spats on Sunday. In fact, as everyone said, he gave a tone to Bethnal Green.

But the ways of Providence are strange, and it is futile to seek for explanations where none are vouchsafed. It is enough to say that Mr.

Herbert's anatomy came into violent contact with a brewer's dray one Thursday afternoon, and that a promising young life was cut short at the early age of 19.

His Life Story has yet to be written, and it is but the barest outline that can be here recorded.

At the age of 16 he made the acquaintance of Miss Harriett Hopkins. In the following spring he had successfully reached the "walking out" stage. He was formally engaged at the age of 17 and at 18 he was married. Six weeks before he died he made two very remunerative investments. He borrowed from his Employers--without worrying them about so small a matter--the sum of 6, which he converted into 600 by successfully backing "Hump Back" at 100 to 1 for the "Cesarewitch." He also insured his life for 100.

Having satisfactorily adjusted the small matter of the Loan without in any way arousing his Employers' suspicions, he joined a Burial Club, made a Will, and died ten days later.

By his Will he appointed his Widow sole Executrix, and divided his Estate as to one-fourth part to his father Oliver Turvey, as to one-sixth part to a former landlady Mrs. Korphdrop, and the residue to his Widow.

The Estate consisted of the following:--

Cash 564.

Insurance Policy, 100.

Burial Club Money 14.

Household Furniture and Effects 12.

The Funeral Expenses amounted to 12.

Mr. Herbert Turvey was buried on the third Thursday after Guy Fawkes'

Day, and on the following Tuesday fortnight the Widow gave birth to a son.

Both mother and child progressed amazingly and everybody called to visit Harriett, but chiefly to satisfy their curiosity as to the amount which she inherited.

Don't keep them waiting.

PROBLEM No. 22.

Mrs. George Dumpkins was very vexed that any Estate Duty at all should be payable, and when she was told that a Corrective Affidavit would have to be presented she threatened to change her Solicitors. As she very properly said she had sufficient troubles already without having to pay for more, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whoever he was, ought to be ashamed of himself for taxing Widows so scandalously.

She entirely disagreed with the opinion of her Solicitor as to the necessity of presenting this Corrective Affidavit, and insisted upon having Counsel's opinion on the matter. The following facts were therefore submitted to the learned gentleman:--

Mr. Dumpkins' Estate had been proved for Probate purposes at 71,000, but during the year after death the following a.s.sets were realised and Liabilities settled, viz.:--

18,000 3-1/2% India Stock valued for Probate at 94-7/8, realised 91-1/2.

Share in s.h.i.+p valued at 4,000, realised 3,500.

Sundry Liabilities estimated for Probate at 8,000, were subsequently found to be 8,700. (This included 75 cost of bringing deceased's body from abroad.)

Stock-in-Trade valued at 10,250, realised 9,400.

6,000 Mortgage Debentures valued at 7,500 were sold at par.

The opinion of Counsel was received in due course, and the Solicitor smiled.

By what amount was the Estate Duty increased or decreased? Ignore any adjustment in respect of Interest on Estate Duty.