Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-08-29
Coming TO the Point.

During q recent divorce trial in one Of
our city courts, an eminent lawyer Chr.
Bray, BY name, catechised an opposing
witness, a goodlooking woman, pretty Sc
verely. At length the lawyer arrived at
his reserve-questions, which were to lead to
the grand coup. and bring his case to a bril-
liant culm;nation.
You said your name was Smart, I be-
lieve 2 qneried Mr.. Bray, blandly.
1 did, Mr.. Bray Seraphiua Smart, if
you please, replied the young woman.
Nov, Seraphina, were you not married
to 4. Man-Able AIan-in EIarch Of last
year?'
Married to A. lan-A5Je Han inIfarcA,
Of last year, did you say, Nr. Bray?'
Yes, madame; said married to A.
Man, in March, Of las year
Putting on a thoughtful air, Seraphina
answered.
No, Mr.. Bray: I was rot married to A.
Man in March of org year
Singular said the lawyer. But about
your child, madame, was it not born in
January, Of this year ?
Ne, Dir. Bray, said Seraphina, in a re-
dective tone, it was not born in January.
We'll, madame, were you net married
to A. Man in AprjJ /?
In April, did you say. Mr.. Bray?
I said in Aprt3, was the sharp response.
Relapsing into reflective mood again,
she responded, -
Nc, MIR. Bray; was not married to
A Man in ApriJ2'
Very strango-very strange, indeed a
mistake Somewhere, growled Mr. Bray,
looking over his notes and glancing angri-
ly at the Smart witness. He continued
I presume you viii admit that you mar
RED 4. Man, AJJe Man, in Alay of last
year, and that your child was born in Eeb-
2'aary Of this year, madame ?
Married A. Man-AIo Man in lay
Ny CHILD born February following, Mr.
Bray !?
Yes, madame; A. Man in Maya
child in february -spitefuIly.
A thoughtful interval on the part Of
Saraphina Smart. them
I did not marry A. 1Ian il IN6sy, nor
was my child born in tho following F55ru-
arg Gr. Bray
You did not? It soqs not ? Do you
mean what you sag madame !?
Just what [ said, and exactly what
mean, Mr.. Bray
'Ha, hum, We shall see,' muttered Mr.
Bray, and then burst forth again -
1 Was your child bern in the following
N0rch, then 2
Born in M5trch, Mr.. Bray 2
Yes, in Narcb Iiarch ! liarchY bel
lowed Bray, with Q furious thump of the
fist at each repetition. Scraphina cast down
her eyes meditatively and then very leis-
ureiy, in an distracted sort Of manner, an
swered,-
No, Mr.. Bray, it did not Mwch
MDrch, March into the world at that time ?
You seem to forget, Madame Stuart
that you are now upon your Bible oath, re
torted Bray, irritated beyond endurance
! by the negative nature Of her responses
! No, MIR. Bray, do not forget my cath
although you seem TO be trying very hare
to make NE think that il is OF no account.
You are like parrot, Smart
and you like donkey. Bray
! 'Oh, rejoined the lawyer, saroastically
'indeed.' He tried again:-
One more question, Seraphina Smart
Since you were not married to A. Man
AJ7e Man, in Iuurch. nor April, nor IL
| Nay, will you be kind enough to tell mt
when yon did marry 4. Man 2
/ IThen I did marry A. Man, Able Man
Mr.. Bray?'
Yes, madame, when you did, mad
anne = Numbered the indignant Bray
and will you please also t. inform th'
court, counsel and the jury aohen YOU
child was born ?
well, Mr.. Bray, replied Seraphina
smoothing down the FOLDS Of her poplir
skirt, while merry CLEAN flashed from
her blue eyes and illuminated her hither
to thoughtful countenance, my answers
shall be as plain as your questions are di
rect. It affords me much pleasure to sa,
that my child is not yet born, and-whicl
is perhaps less pleasant-that was neue
married to A. Man, Ab1e Man, Or any 9th
er man
! Tho oonrt too1- rooncc without 1al.u