The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1843-01-27

Mr Fix paused to nib pen, ard then with
pleasant smile on his face, and in quiet, friendly
tone, inquired; whats your uge''
about forty
'Where do you resde:'
In this city, replied Mr. IIirss.
whats your occupaton:'
4 have none Il, present. I'm gentleman al
large
A pleasant profession, said Mr. Fisk, in an ami
able Tone 'Whcn did you first begin 10 be gen
tenan at laIgc,
! have always been one, returned IIiggs, not al
together seeing the dangerous tendency of the
questions, while Bolton sat upon 'horns vany
endcavorng to catch his eye.
4 suppose You have property
H'm rather snug AT present; more so than |
have BEEN inherited something lately
From whom? demanded Mr. Fisk, pausing in
his writing, and looking up; though Mr. Culblll
did no, for moment suffer his pen TO stop.
From deceased uncle, replied Hugs, begin
nlpg TO fell little uneasy d, the turn the exam-
nation was taking.
'What was his name!
l!iggs hesaled, but it was only for moment.
lie caught the eye of Bolton, and saw the half
irumphan, smile Of Fisk, and his hesitation van
ished,
Ellis Eame was the same as mine, William
Iiisgs.'
lfyour honor please, said Mr. Whitman, rising,
4 object 10 these questions, as altogether 'reIe-
want. They have no bearing on the case, ard on
" consume the time of the court aud counsel with
out prcGtng any one
Down he sat, and mp got Mr. Fisk. ''Thc coun-
sci, he SAID, twas as well aware us he was, Of
the object Of these questions; and as he had no
wish to let the witness see his hand, nor to place
him on his gnard, he hoped the court would per-
NIT him to conlinne his examination, without com
pclling him 10 state its immediate object, If in
lis progress he should ask amy question which the
laws Of evidence prohibited, of course the court
would stop him. bu, until he did so, he claimed
the RI lit to elicit any Information from the wines
sas which would benefit his client
Mr. Whitman replied, and the questions were
ruled to be proper, Mr. Fisk then continued his
examination.
when did this relative die''
Mr. ligss, after slight process Of mental ariih-
mctic, calculated the lime, and replied; "a fort
night since
What property did he leave' said Mr. Fisk; with
a smile which would have been more agreeable
had the question been less embarrassing
The amount was not very large, replied Mr.
Iliggs, "a few thousands or So
court Supported the objection, unless Mr. Fisk
would state the object of The examination.
Fisk then said that it was his intention TO show
that the witness was n man Of n VIGOROUSLY lnia-
nous character; that he had led vagabond life
for many years past; that he had never POSSESSED
nor gained by his own industry, nor inherited
property Of any description; and that all his means
Of support were derived from Bolton; furnished nc
doubt on the understanding that he was to lend
his assistance in establishing this will. That he
said was the olec, of his questions; an object
he presumed it would be impossible for him TO AT.
tain; rs The witness heing warned would he care.
lul so to flame his replies as to battle farther in
qnries.
He sat down, dipped his pen spitefully in the
nksiand, and violently assaulted n corn on Mr.
Cu,bill's foot with The heel of his boot.
The surrogate rubbed his chin, and said that he
thought the party had RICH, 10 draw fiom the
witness any facts which would tend 10 show what
crodi, might be given to his testimony. lie per-
United the question TO be put. Mr. Whitman re-
qncsted the court to note his exception; and Mr.
fisk continued his examination by series Of short
but impcrnen, inquiries which, Ind they been an
swcrcd as he wished them 10 he, would have gone
far to shake the crcdibilhy Of Iliggs But thai
gentleman was now on his guard; and although
the shilIlul Attorney varied his mode Of attack and
shifted his ground and from time 10 time returned
and renewed his efforts Unexpectedly on various
points where he though, the witness was most as
snahlc, he was still completely bailcd for l'sgs'
resources increased with his risk; and he rbrica-
ted with facility and ingenuity truly wonderful
At length MIR Fisk turned 10 him, and looking him
steadily in the face, demanded:
'lIavc you at any time received money from Mr.
Boon?'
No. replied Iirgs bluniiy.
'Did you ever receive chcqnc from hiri'
No.
'Areyou posilive!'
u am
What is that? asked iIr Fisk. extending toward
him paid chcque, the very one which Bolton had
given him in his office, and which he had get cash
cd at the bank. 'llayc you ever seen tia, be-
forc:'
I haze ipniinl Iliyys ,yiiI, unrunipJ co,,po