Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-11-24

And you think he will confirm the certif-
cate ?" =
AS sure as sit here, SIR"
4 g This is a most extraordinary case said
the attorney, after,a short pause. g If what
YOU say be true, you are of course entitled to
the widows pension"
That's what I'm coming to, please sir"
said the lady, little more cheerfully."
Well, but have you applied to the Admir-
atty " -s as.
Oh, no, sir not yet, at least. Why, you
see, where'd be the use of apoor creature
like me going and telling my story, sir, who'd
believe it, sir?"
Here the food-gate were opened again.
Stay, my good friend" said Crumstone,
who was fast softening before the tears OF
his client. Stay if you have been really
injured, l will take upon myself to see you
righted. Ny clerk can take down you depo-
stions."
my what, sir: said the weeping client.
"Your statement, madam" said the attor-
ney, ringing the bell. "Now, what is the
outline of the case ?" - .s
There was no outlying, nor"
"My dear madam, l mean the outline of
your story. You say that the deceased cap
| tain married your" 1869 FH
eyes, sir, that he did; but was in SER
vice, sir, at the time; and the capting, you
see, being young man, he wished it kept a
secret from his friends-which I'm sure I've
been no disgrace to them, sir, though | was
poor woman-but he never said nothing
about it to no one, sir; and we were married
One4rosty mo rning In February, sir;- which
Pm sure Mr. Plumtree will remember it, ow-
ing to our coming so early; and after the
| fust few weeks we lived quite apart, sir he in
h 10 j T
| at DelvertOn, where he came to see me regu-
lar twice a week"
All, Wednesdays and Saturdays, now ?"
| inquired the lawyer, abstractedly.
''Well, he warn't particular to the day, sir"
rejOined the widow; "but come he did, at all
| events; and often and often I've said to him,
| says |, why don't you take me home reg lar,
| William? . 1 says; which, No, Betsey,' says
| he, 4 wish | could with all my art, my dear,
but at present It's impossible the
words he said sir. Wait Bit says he; and
| so he went on-wait a bit, and wait bit, IN
til he waited too long, poor dear; and now
| he's gone to his long 'ome and I am his poor
unfortnight widow, with not even so much
| as shilling, by way of pension to bless my
self"
Here the poor creature again burst into a
food of grief and the honest lawyer poured
| out another glass OF Snefry.
Dear me-" said he, ''this is a singular
case. Let me see; sloper, when is Captain
Halyards funeral to be?"
Tomorrow morning sir"
The widow looked up from her pocket
handkerchief.
81 thought the p-poor d-dear was already
under the turf" said she.
at appears not, my dear madam" said the
attorney, d" and | think we cannot do better
than proceed at once to the Admiralty; when
l shall take care to make known your claims
SIoper get fly. No, stay, there's your own
at the door, marin. Let us lose no time
Have you the certificate ?"
"Y-yes sir; very well" said the widow, who
appeared to be rather taken aback by the
precipitation of the attorneys proceedings,
Il leave it all in your hands,"
"Come, then, let US be off. Stay, though :;
any more sherry? No? Well, then, Sloper,
open the door. l shall be back before fve
remember, if any one calls"
"Where to, sir?" said the driver, as he
doubled the steps of the hackney-coach.
"Admiraps house, Dockyard and look
sharp"
"An right, sir !" said the coachman, and
the fly rolled away.
In a quarter of an hour from this time, Mr.
Crumstone was closeted with the admiral ::
who listened to all he had to say with great
patience; only that he calculated at certain
intervals and in perfect good humor-" Alb
surd !" ridiculous ~ " stuff !" q" dem'nonse !"
don't believe word of it !" and such ex-
temporary commentaries as may be occasion
ally observed on the margin of novels at a
seaside library. The marriage certificate
however, produced the same effect upon him
as it had done previously on the lawyer
There was no mistake it was evidently an
orthodox certificate; giving the surname and
Christian name of the deceased in full His
profession, certainly, was not stated; but
that might have been withheld for obvious
reasons
The admiral looked at it-read it-and re-
read it; opened his eyes wider and wider
scratched his head
& Odd !" said the attorney.
very odd ~ said the admiral.
Il tell you what, sir" said Mr.. Crumstone
after some deliberation, :" the first thing to
do is to see Mr.. Plumtree, the clergyman who
signed this document"
The admiral agreed, rang the bell, and
sending for his secretary, told him of the af
fair, and asked where Mr.. Plumtree lived
Somewhere in Fish street, l believe"
said the young man; "but if you want to see
him now, you had better send over at once to
Montague House, where he has been officiat-
ing at Il private baptism. The ceremony was
to come off at three O'clock, and"-added he,
looking at his watch-''i if you send at once
you may catch him before he leaves"
A messenger was despatched and in a short
time returned with Mr.. Plumtree, who looked
particularly benevolent, and smelt very much
Of port-wine.
CHOW, what we want to ask you, sir, is
simply this" said the attorney, producing the
certificate after few minutes conversation,
4" is that your handwriting?"
The clergyman looked at it attentively.
"Most certainly" said he, after a pause.
81 could swear-Imean certify-to that hand
any where. Do you see that B. sir? There's
a character, IA style about that letter, sir,
which defes imitation Try it, sir" said he,
turning to Mr.. Crumstone. "You lawyers
are masters of the pen; make B like that,
sir, if you can"
r. Mr. Crumstone admitted that he couldn't
and was quite wiling to take Mr.. Plumtree's
word for it that the B was his own.
The widow was then summoned, and went
through her case. Mr.. Plumtree listened,
and seemed puzzled.
"The signature is certainly mine" saidhe,
land | remember the circumstance of the
marriage. 1t was early, on a dark morning
in February, as this good lady saws. Of her
face have some recollection; but the wealth
er was cold, and the man SO muffled up, that
l could scarcely distinguish his features
Still think I should have recognized him
again, if l saw"
"Stay, sir, said the attorney, interrupting
him; lean you spare Us half an hour to set
tie this matter? ?"