The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-12-30

Philips placed n chair Tor Hlggs, VINO had not
uttered a word since those last mentioned
!iiggs set down, and Phillips shutting the room
door, drew another chair, took seat facing him,
and SO near that their knees nearly touched.
Still tiiggs did not speak: but looked a. him as
The waited for him to 60 in
u will come 10 the poin, at once said Phillips
Dol replied Higgs.
Phillips got up; trimmed the lamp which stood
the table, and as if by accident, drew ii SO that
its light fell full in the face Of his guest.
First, want piece Of information said he
w here's Wilkins.
Il don't know answered IIiggs, laconcally,
and weighing every question before he spoke.
when did you see him last =
i don't remember
Nor whereof
NO.
Cant you tell me where can find him'' in
quired Phillips, earnestly. 1T was principally on
his account wanted you. twill be worse both
for you and him. il | don't find him soon. Worse
than he and you dream Of
If hats all you want said Hgss, coldly, 'you
might have asked it in the street. could have
told you there. as much as I've told you here
THAT was mol all replied Phillips You shall
hear the res, at once. A few days ago
gentleman in this city died, leaving large prop
erty, and an only daughter, who would BY law
have inherited it. A day or two after the death OF
that gentleman. a lawyer caRed at the house of
tina, daughter and claimed the property as his, and
declared that girl penniess. He brought with
him will to support his claim; will signed by
the gentleman, giving his property to that a"yer,
and stripping his daughter Of all she had This
will was witnessed by two men, who are to swear
that they saw i. signed by that gentleman. The
name of those two men are George wilkins and
William Higgs; the lawyer, Ruben Bolton. Per-
haps you understand now what want, and why
could Mt speak out in the street.
Phi lips watched the face Of his listener with in
tense anxiety; but not a muscle moved; not the
slightest alteration took place in look or color; and
when he paused, Iligss gazed in the fire, as fin
deep thought AT las, he said quietly, without re-
plying to Phillips last words: yes, remember
something Of the kind; Wilkins and l happened to
be in Bolton s office, swhen an old man was max
ing his will, and he nsked.us to witness it, for
get The old fellows name. 1t was CIawley or
Grammar, or some such name. ] didn't know till
now what he'd done with his cash. II was id
hard to cut The girl off in that way and again
Ilisgs gazed in the fire in deep thought.
'Then he did sign IT, exclaimed Phillips, start
ing to his feet. ITO be sure he did,, replied Higss;
u saw him.
and it ism. forged!' demanded Phillips, speak,
ing with greatest rapdity.
'Forged!' exclaimed Iliggs: IL its forged, he
forged it HIMSELF Why, who says il ISL
'One who is willing to swear to it, and will
Those are the very words that person used to me,
at the same time begging me to use every means to
prevent the witnesses from endeavoring to estab-
lish it, M detection and punishment were certain.
did that person know the young lady-what's
her name' asked Ilggs calmly. Miss Crawford
'Ah! Crawford! that's it; that was the old man
name. Was that person acquan' with Miss
Crawford y
'Ycs'
Perhaps friend of hers:' suggested IIisgs, in
the sane quiet manner.
4 know she was,' replied Philips well, wha,
of iR'
'Pshaw! don't you see it all;' lisa trick of
the girl to prevent our appearing TO prove tina,
will. She would scare US. What fool'
The red blood rushed into Philips face. lie
knew little Of the law, and the thing seemed pau-
sible. Could he have been duped, und by Lucy
Lucy had been deceived herself, he was sure of it,
The whole conduct of Higgs had been quiet and
se'Epossessed There had been none of the en-
barrassment attendant on detected guilt and espe.
c'ally Of guilt which involved SO severe punish
ment. lie was convinced that the feelings of the
girl had been worked on by the arts of Miss Craw-
ford, until they had led her as,rny. Blu, how to
undeceive her!
That Miss Crawiord's deep one,' said Eiggs.
after pause Of some duration. How the deyil
could she find GU, that you knew US, and SC, you
10 work a, u.s.
That was easy. There happened TO be per-
son who knew all three of US. She accidentally
learned the names Of the witnesses, knew me and
asked me to see you and Wilkins. Why she thinks
it forged, is more than can tell
Who was she' inquired IIiggs.
No matter who. replied Philips, ! an no, bound
to secrecy, but shall keep her name TO myself
Higgs nodded acquiescence; and after humming
n low tune 10 himself for few moments, asked if
he had anything farther to say; and receiving an
answer in the negative, he wished him good night,
and withdrew.
The Attorney listened without single re-
mark or a single question Tho statement