Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-03-01


thing pertaining TO it. Il was contested in couri,
but the evidence was clear, and the will was
Sc, up and established. Poor Mrs. Henshaw
was stripped of every thing With sad heart
she packed up her simple wardrobe, and taking
State to teach school. For six years she had
been absenr, and for six years had Brown en-
joyed Elm Glen. No. not enjoyed it. for he
enjoyed nothing. He lived in il; but the hag-
gard look--lhe frequent appeal 10 The boitie-
The jealous feelings which were ever upper
most-aDd his course, pIofame conversation,
showed lha, he was wreched People talked
too, Of his lonely hours, his starting up in his
sleep, his cenchng his first in his dreams and
defyng "all hell" 10 prove it. and the like.
Suddenly and privately, Mrs Henshaw re-
turned to her once loved village She had ob.
lained some information by which she hoped
to bring truth to light, for she had never be-
leved that her husband ever made such will
in favor Of Brown. To prove lha, this will was
forgery was what Loudon was now TO ailempl.
An action was commenced, aud Brown soon
had notice Of the warfare now 10 be carried on
against him. He raved and swore, but he also
laid aside his cups, and wen, TO work 10 meet
the storm like man IN the full consciousness
of the justice of his cause. There was writing
and riding, posting and sending writs--for both
sides had much al stake. Il was the first case
for young Loudon. 1t was victory or States
prison for Brown. The community, one and all
took sides with Mrs. Henshaw. If bias could
reach jury, il mus, have been in her favor.
Mr.. Snapall was engaged for Brown, and was
delighted TO find lha, he only had that white
foo br,xy - md nd
lie felt sorry ,ha. the widow had not selected
a man Of some age and experience /; but then
they said, 'women will have their own way"
The day Of the trial came on. Grea. was
the excitement to hear the great will case, !"
and every horse in the region was hilched
somewhere near the courthouse.
In rising to open the case, young Loudon
was embarrassed but modesty always meets
with encouragement. The court gave him pa
tient attention, and soon felt that il was deser-
we'd. In clear, concise, and mas,ery man
ner, he laid open the case jus. as it stood in
his own mind, and proceeded with the evil
dence 10 prove ,he will to be forgery. |, was
easy TO show the character of Brown TO be one
Of grea, niquity, and that for him TO do this
was only in keeping with that general charac-
ter. He attempted 10 prove that the will could
no. be genuine, because one of his Witnesses
on his deaih-bed had confessed that il was
forgery. aud hat he and his friend had been
hired by Brown to testify and swear 10 its be-
ing genuine. Here he adduced the affidavit Of
deceased witness, taken in full before James
Johnson, Esq. Justice Of the Peace, and ac-
knowledged by him. So far all was clear, and
when the testimony closed it seemed clear that
tho IN NJ,
Snapalrs turn, he demolished all the hopes by
proving that though James Johson, Esq. had
signed himself Justice Of the Peace, ye, he
was no magistrate, inasmuch as his commission
had expired the very day before he signed the
paper, and although he had been re-appoin,ed
yet he had no, been legally qualified 10 &C, as
a magssra,e-.ha. he might or might no, have
supposed himself TO be qualified TO take an affi
davit and tha. the law, for very wise reasons,
demaded that an affidavit should be taken only
by sworn magistrate. He was most happy, he
said, TO acknowledge the cool assurance of his
young brother in the law and The only diff
Gully was that he had proved nothing. except
that his tender conscience permitted him 10
offer as an affdav. paper tina, was in law
no. worth straw. if any better than forgery
ITSELF
There was much sympathy felt for poor Lou
don, bu. he took it very cooy and seemed no
way cas-, down. Mr. Snapall then brough, for
ward his other surviving wiiness-a gallows-
looking fellow, bu, his testimony was clear. de-
cided aud consistent. If he was committing
perjury, ii was plain that he had been we'll drill
led by Snapal Loudon kept his eye upon
him with The keenness OF the lynx. And
while Snapall was commenting upon the case
with grea, power, and while Mrs. Henshaw
and Mary gave up all for lost, i, was plain iha,
Loudon, as he turned over the will. and looked
al it again and again. was thinking of something
else besides what Snapal was saying He
acted something as dog does when he feels
sure he is near the right track of the game,
though he dare no, ye. bark.
When Snapall was through, Loudon Teques-
ted ,ha, the witness might again be called to
the stand. But he vas so mild, and KIND, and
,imid, tha, il seemed as il he was the one about
TO commit perjury.
"You take your oath ,ha, this instrument, pur.
porting to be the will of Henry Henshaw, was
signed by him in your presence !"
I'll do"
"And you signed i. with your own hand as
witness nj the time"