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

tween the fifteenth of August and the end of No
vembei'
Il think not. Pm positive that he did not
r Mr. Fisk here whispered something to Mr. Gut
bill, who laughed in subdued and violent man
ncr, Mr. Whitman looked up a, them; and there
was Il smile on his face which Fisk did not relish.
'Wcre you in the habit of carrying letters from
Mr. Crawford to Mr. Bottoms oilice''
4 was, frequently
DO you rccocct on one occasion taking note
containing large sum of money, which you drop
ped in the outer cnry'
| do, replied the witness.
'Who gave YOU that letter.
'AIr Crawford
Where was he when he gave it to you!'
AT his own house.
Did he send any message with the letter.
'Ilc told me to tell Mr. Bolton that he would call
there himself in an hour, and that he particularly
wished him not TO 60 out ill he came
Did he state to you the nature of the business
which he expected 10 transact with Mr. Bolton'
''!c did not.
Do YOU recoect that you mentioned to Mr.
Bolton what YOU supposed the nature of that busi-
ness to be-
The witness paused for the moment, and sam
that he remembered having told Mr. Bolton That he
suspected the old gentleman wanted to make his
WILL
why did YOU suppose So
because. while Mr. Crawford was speaking to
me and giving me directions to go 10 Mr. Bottoms
Office, there was paper lying folded u? on the Ia
bic near him; and on was written in large letters
that it was Mr. Crawford's will; and before left
the room he put ii in his pocket
Mr. Whitman got up, handed him the forged will,
and showed him the endorsement on it, 'Was thai,
the paper said he.
The witness examined it carefully, and said that
he did not know, 1t certainly looked very like it.
1t was folded that way, the writing on tho bncl of
it was in the same manner. lie did not know
lie though: it was, but could not swear 10 it.
Nov, said Mr. Whitman laying down his pen
and looking the witness full in The face, when was
thar
The man stood for some time, running the mat
ter over in his mind; then he grew exceedingly red
hesiln'ed stammcred, and at last sad he rccol.ec-
ted that it was the month Of September last he
had forgotten it, when he answered a, first; he had
intended to tell the truth indeed he had.
Don't be frightened, my good fellow, said Mr.
Whitman soo'hingy. 4 have no doubt of it; ard
the object ofmy asking those previous question
was TO recall to your recollection. Now try if
You can tell me what was the day Of the month";
The witness paused, and at last swore positive
ly the sixth. lie knew il because li1 wages had
become due on that day, and Mr. Crawford had
paid them before going out Of town, winch he did
The same afternoon. lie mentioned number Of
other reasons for his being certain rs 10 the day
lie was positive us to the date. few more ques-
lions were asked; and Mr. Whitman tod him lha,
he was done with him.
1t was in vain that Mr. Fisk endeavored to alter
bis testimony, by renewing his direct examination
The fact, luckily for Bolton, was as The witness
had sworn; and Fisk dismissed the man with the
strong conviction that the tide was against him.
'lave you any more Witnesses, gentlemen"
said the surrogate.
None replied Mr. Fisk.
Have you any more testimony TO Offer said he
turning 10 Mr. Whitman.
Mr. Whitman replied in the negative.
~ ou have any remarks to make before sub
hitting the matter to the decision Of the court
will hear Them Mr. jaeger thrust his thumbs in
his wais,-coat pockets, and (iowned at the oPpo-
site wall. by way of showing that he was prepar
ing to listen utently; and Mr. Fisk, after running
his eve over his notes, arose. In his speech he
commended that the discrepancy between the date
Of the will and the time when it was proved 10
have been executed; the VIGOROUSLY bad character
Of the altesling witness; the ample proof of the
the legitimacy Of Miss Crawford, and the dccara
tons Of the iestator as 10 the disposition which he
had made Of his property; were facts too over
whelniing 10 be withsiood, and he proved that the
will was fraudulent one, beyond even the shad-
ow Of doubt. lie supported his position by pow
eIiu and plausible argument. He cited cases rcad
extracts from some, and called the attention Of the
surrogate 10 others, which went 10 strengthen those
previously read. Ills speech, which lasted more
than two hours, was oble, vigorous, aud exceed |,
ingly bitter, sparing neilhe, Bolton nor his conied-
crate.
Mr. Whitman was one Of those men who took |
long time TO get started; and it was not until he
had spoken for fifteen or twenty minutes, that his
strength began TO show itself. lie said that the
facts relating to the date Of the will, which aP-
penred so very mysterious to tho opposite counsel,
were simply these. The iesiator had caused his
will 10 be drawn up, had intended to have exc
culed il on The tenth Of August, and had inserted