, 1861-07-11
The wife's Dover.

eve. was permitted TO walk the earth His brother
Peter was not whit better; SO it would appear
that meanneSs ran in the blood of the family.
John was pretty well of, so far as this worlds
goods are concerned. His property was all in
vested in buildings, which had cost him thirty
thousand dollars. He did not marry till he was
forty, probably from the fear Of incurring unne-
cessary expense; and when finally he did take q
wife, it was as he would have taken tousekeeper
"a servant.
Mrs. Gordon was poor woman, and had been
obliged to work very hard for a living. Perhaps
she married on purely prudential considerations,
for she could not possibly have loved such an abor-
ton of man as John Gordon. She took good
care of him, better than he deserved, and was in
every respect an obcdient and faithful wife. All
she received in return was the meagre support her
husbands home afforded.
When they had been married about three years,
John was taken sick, and fingered along fora year.
during which time his vile was an excellent, de-
voted wife. Her whole aim seemed to be to dis
charge her duty to him with fidelity. She had
made bargain with him, and she performed her
part of the contract with scrupulous exactness
One day heard that John Gordon was dead.
1t was a small loss to the community, and did
not think Of pitying his wife, for her lot would
certainly be ameliOrated by his departure. Sic
would be entitled to onethird of the income of the
real estate, which, for a poor woman as she had
been, and having NO luxurious tastes to crafty,
would be u princes stipend.
"Mine is very hard case, Mr. Docket" said
she, seating herself by my side.
Indeed, madam; / thought you were provided
for. You have Onethird Of the income Of your
husbands estate, which IS about thousand dollars
a-year."
:" 1t seems that am not to have this" she re.
piled gloomily.
Not to have t?'
Peter GOrdon has taken possession Of the es-
tate, declaring it belongs TO him. He sui that
my husband sold it to him two weeks before he
died"
How could that be?"
"Peter showed me the deed; he say it has been
recorded"
"Does he? so much the better for you, madam.
Tie law gives you one-half Of his personal es-
tIte-"
But he sold it for one dollar" interrupted Mrs.
Gordon.
ale could not sell il without your concurrence.
Did you release your right of dover in the prem
ises! z"
"No, sir; Peter said did, though and showed
me my name, duly witnessed on the deed"
did you sign it!"
"NO. SIR"
"Then it is forgery"
al suppose it is"
"YOa are confident you did not sign your name
to the dced?"
Il am sure that did not, for very good rea-
son."
"IIow's that?"
81 cannot write never wrote my name.
was brought up in the country, where girls do not
get so much schooling as now. Ny folks were
very poor, and ! never had a chance to 20 to
cChnnl ~ HoT,liaI MrS ,,;,k r.,
sion.
"Did your husband know you could not write ?"
"No; never told him."
dismissed hCr with the request that she should
call the next day. Invent at once to the Registry
Of Deeds and found that Mrs. Gordon had told a
straight story; her miserable, contemplate hus-
band had given his property to his brother. in his
last days, so as to cheat his wife, who cared for his
health and nursel him in sickness, Of her just
claims upon bis estate.
He was villain but need not say felt q
deep interest in the case Of my CLIENT and resolved
to bring matters to an issue at once. The next
day, when she called she directed me to her sister,
by whom it could be proved that Mrs. Gordon could
not write her own name, as she had seen her make
her mark often within a short time.
The person who proiessed to have witncssel the
signature Of Mrs. Gordon was a clerk in the Office
Of Peter. My first move was to arrest him on q
charge Of fraud, and sue his employer for my clients
share Of the rents, which he had refused to pay
over to her.
When had proceeded thus far, l received visit
from Peter Gordon.
what do you mean, sr?" be asked, rather
sourly.
Il mean to get justice for the widow"
died."
but the wife had a One-third interest in his
real estate"
1T was sold to me, and she signed away her
right to DOVER"
add she!"
Certainly she did,"
did you see her sign?"
ITO be sure did so did my clerk"
There is warrant out for the arrest Of your
clerk, and l have some hopes that he will turn
States evidence and convict his principal"
lie started back in astonishment and terror.
Ill don't understand you," be stammered
out.
Don't trouble yourself about it, Mr.. Gordon !;
you will understand it all in good time"
"FOr Gods sake don't arrest my clerk He
will be the ruin OF me-" groaned he.
You should have thought OF that before"
said.
" You don't mean to say that everything isn't
all right about my brothers affairs. Because, IL
it isn't, will make it all right, you Know" he
whined in suppcating tones.
You say you saw Mrs. Gordon sign that
deed?"
We'll, no-not exactly; but l suppose she
signed it,"
You don't know she didntG"
How should khow?"
"She cant write; she nwer wrote her name in
her liie."
"Gracious."
pressed the rascll closely, and made him ac-
knowledge that bis clerk had signed the name for
"a consideration" would have caused both Of
them TO be sent to the State Prison il MS Cor.
don had not begged me ~ spare them. AS it was,
l secured the entire incnne Of The estate 70 nv