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In contrast, a will written in 1903, reflects the mores of the times. The testatrix was a wealthy woman who made no so secret of her desire to use the allure of wealth modify her beneficiaries behavior. She gave modest amounts to her siblings children. But, she enjoined them as follows: The said children must at all times be strictly honest and truthful in all their actions and doings; they must lead industrious, frugal, upright and moral lives, and conscientiously comply with all their religious duties as Roman Catholics, until the end of their lives; they must practice sobriety, by this I mean that while they may take one or two (ordinary) glasses of beer on very rare occasions, they must altogether abstain from stronger drinks of every description, and even if this limited use of beer should prove to be a temptation, or cause of craving, the beer must be avoided. Moreover, they must never directly or indirectly engage in the liquor traffic, and those who are so engaged now, must abandon it and get out of it within a reasonable time, not to exceed from two to four years after my death. The instrument further provides: The said children, now living, must never frequent questionable day or night parties, balls, dances, shows or excursions and must make it an unfailing rule to stay at home at night. I would not object, however, if they should attend a respectable party or entertainment, in good and proper company, not to exceed from two to four times a year. If once old enough to marry, and they should desire to do so, they must unite themselves with those of their own faith, because daily observation and long experience have convinced me that mixed
marriages as a rule never turn out well for either party. I say this without the slightest reflection or disrespect to those who may differ with me in religion, but the party whom they marry should not be a Roman Catholic in name only, but one that practices his religion, and therefore he or she must be sober, industrious, honest and moral. I have yet to execute my own will but I already have an idea of some clauses I want to write in. A sure clause is a bequest to my children as follows: I have always impressed upon you since you were born that, nothing is better than being healthy since health is wealth. To you, therefore, I bequeath all my vitamins. Nothings follows.