When it came to Skin Games
he was the original High-Binder.
Joel took the Old Gentleman aside one Day and said to him: "Father,
you are not long for this World, and to save Lawyer Fees and avoid a
tie-up in the Probate Court, I think you ought to cut up your Estate
your own self, and then you will know it is done Right."
"How had I better divide it?" asked the Old Gentleman.
"You can put the whole Shooting-Match in my Name," suggested Joel.
"That will save a lot of Writing. Then if any other Relatives need
anything, they can come to me and try to Borrow it."
Joel sent for a cut-rate Shyster, who brought a bundle of Papers tied
with Green Braid, and assured the Old Gentleman that the Proceeding
was a Mere Formality. When a Legal Wolf wants to work the Do-Do on a
Soft Thing, he always springs that Gag about a Mere Formality.
Joel and the Shell-Worker moved the Old Gentleman up to a Table in the
Front Room and put a Cushion under him and slipped a Pen into his Hand
and showed him where to Sign.
After he got through filling the Blank Spaces with his John Hancock,
he didn't have a Window to hoist or a Fence to lean on. He was simply
sponging on Joel.
This went on for about a Month, and then Joel began to Fret.
[Illustration: _Over the Hills._]
"I don't think I am getting a Square Deal," said Joel. "Here is an
Ancient Party without any Assets, who lives with me Week in and Week
out and doesn't pay any Board.
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