Plymouth banner. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1852-1855, 1855-03-08
CHAPTER Ill.

CHAPTER III.
There was profound silence in the
inner chamber of Mr.. Reuben Levi du-
ring the short space Of time in which
Old Time. with his iron tongue. was reg
isteripg the msmentous point i'll his pro
gress which we have just indicated.
When tina reverbration of the last
clang had died away among the dusty
books on tie cobwebbed shelves. Esau
Scrimble rose up, and stepping forward
10 !he table at. which Mr. Hacklebones
was sitting, thus addressed the execu
tor:
Il have now. sir. the honor to lay be
fore you the formal proofs Of my having
at this present moment attained the age
OF twenty-one years. Here is a copy
taken from the registry kept in the
parish church OF Scrimble ton on the Hill
duly at;ested by Parson Smithson and
Squire Bolderly. You will see it is
quite satifactory.'
The executor Of the will of Abraha m
Scrimble. deceased. took the document
and read il over slowly and carefully
and then handed il TO MIR. Levi. who,
likewise, having read it. asked:
Can you prove that these signatures
are in the handwriting Of the paIs)n and
the squire 2
oh, that's easily done; I can depose
to the fact myself. and so can Naomi
here. and SO can Ruth, and SO can Juash,
and so also Can
That will do-that will do said Mr.
Levi; show them the document. please.
The paper passed. through the hands oil
all the Scrimbles there assembled. who
with one accord, pronounced the sigma
lures. to be genuine.
The executor and his legal adviser now
consulted tog. Their for a moment. and
then Mr.. Huckle bones said:
The proof seems quite satisfactory.
Mr.. Esau, and you would Of cource. be
entitled to the legacy under my deceased
friends will. If there were any certainty
that no other claimant would come for.
ward. 1t is. however. quite possible
that your cousin Jacob may yet make
his appearance and you know he attained
his majority at the same moment as your
self
well. and suppose that he did, and
suppose that he does turn up. still am
entitled to the legacy as having first made
the proper proof Of having attained my
majority. have taken legal advice up
on the words of the will. and am assured
that such is their construction. Will
you be so good. sir. as TO read thsm?'
Mr.. Huckle bones read the words: 4
bequeath to whichever of my next of kin
shall first attain the age of twenty one
of his having attained his majority before
either of my executors, or the proper
authority of The place where he shall be
resident al the time
well Mr. Levi. what DO you say as TO
this point of law9'
Upon my word. Mr.. Hucklebones.
think there's something in it. sir. Pray,
Mr.. Esau, may ask whose opinion you
have taken?'
Certainly sir; have taken the opin-
ION of Mr. Beetle. and here he Is
"A very sound opinion. sir. is Mr..
Beetle said the man of Law, perusing
the paper. He is certainly quite in ia.
vor of your construction Of the clause,
Mr.. Esau. Mr.. Llnxley, may l ask you
to look at this and tell me what you
think?
Mr.. Linxley took tie case, and having
cast his eye over it. said:
Il should not, of course, presume TO
put my opinion in competition with Mt.
Beetles under any circumstances but l
confess am strongly disposed to think
he is right. | have seen q similar opin-
ion of MIR. Perker upon the same point.
Very good, said Esau; Il am quite
contented to abide by the opinions of the
legal gentlemen here present. NJ. Huckle-
bones, and trussyeu will be guided by
them. too tiasfi
Mr.. Hucklebones was about to reply,
when Mr.. Linxley interrupted him.
Your pardon. my dear sir, for a mo-
ment. Permit me now 20 explain TO
you and Mt. Levi how happen to be
here at what he very properly calls an
unreasonable hour. come on behalf OF
NY client. Mr.. Jacob Scrimble. May I
request Mr.. Hucklebones, that you will
have the goodness to look at this docu-
msnt.' r
Mr.. Linxley placed in the hands OF the
ezAeutors paper. which the latter read
fret TO himself. and then aloud:
This is to certify, that Mr.Jacob
Scrimbls, Of Scrimb!eton. in the county
Of Somerset, and kingdom of Englsnd.
comes now before me. and produces a
certain paper writing which is now
proved BY two faithworthy witnesses
here present to be the copy of the origi
nal certificate of the baptism Of the said
Jacob Scrimble. deposited in the parish
church Of Scrimbleton .upon.the hill.
whereby ii appears that the said Jacob
EerImSle has new attained his full eye