Poetry · Chapter
The Legatee explained
A dying philanthropist in San Francisco writes a will leaving his entire estate to 'the cursedest rascal in all of the State,' but refuses to name the recipient, leaving each man to consider himself the legatee.
What happens
A dying philanthropist in San Francisco writes a will leaving his entire estate to 'the cursedest rascal in all of the State,' but refuses to name the recipient, leaving each man to consider himself the legatee. After his death, a flood of claimants appears, but Judge Murphy, presiding over the case in Department Thirteen, cannot legally determine who qualifies. He dismisses the claimants and lawyers, then declares the property ownerless and takes it for himself, deeming his action legal and straight.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
The philanthropist's attempt to stimulate virtue by rewarding a rascal backfires, and Judge Murphy's self-serving ruling exposes the corruption within the legal system.
Justice and Revenge
The pursuit of justice through the will's ambiguous terms leads to a farcical outcome where the judge subverts the intended purpose for personal gain.
Characters to notice
- Judge Murphy
Presides over the case of the contested will, sedate and serene, ultimately takes the property for himself.
Key passages
“So he left all his property, legal and straight, To 'the cursedest rascal in all of the State.' But the name he refused to insert, for, said he: 'Let each man consider himself legatee.'”
He bequeathed his entire estate to the worst scoundrel in California, but deliberately left the name blank so that everyone could imagine themselves the heir.
Highlights the ironic twist of the will's condition and the philanthropist's reasoning.
“And so he remarked to them, little and big— To claimants: 'You skip!' and to lawyers: 'You dig!' They tumbled, tumultuous, out of his court And left him victorious, holding the fort.”
Judge Murphy ordered the claimants to leave and the lawyers to depart, and they all scrambled out of the courtroom, leaving him alone and in control.
Depicts the judge's decisive dismissal and the chaotic exit of the parties.
“'Twas then that he said: 'It is plain to my mind This property’s ownerless—how can I find The cursedest rascal in all of the State?' So he took it himself, which was legal and straight.”
He then declared the estate unclaimed, reasoning that he could not identify the worst rascal, and therefore appropriated the property for himself, justifying it as lawful.
Reveals the judge's self-serving conclusion and the satirical commentary on legal loopholes.