The Shasta courier., 1869-10-16
NUMBER 81


the law, and should be so still, but recent
statute has changed it. The witnesses
need not sign in presence Of each other"
A hasty examination proved His Honor
was right, and our main point was done for.
To our great relief the court adjourned
tlr dinner. We were to sum uo in the
afternoon. That task on our side was ~.
signed to me | felt it was hopeless.
was determined, however, to take what
satisfaction could out Of jackson bv
abusing him as soundly as the rules of the
court would permit. And, after all who
could tell? The jury Dlight take the biz
In their mouth, and give us verdict in
spite OF the law and the evidence.
On the reassembling Of Court. I was a
little surprised as we'll as ANNOYED at To2,'s
absence Could it be that he was leaving
me in the lrch, and staying away to avoid
the modification of our final defeat?
| had just risen to address the iury.
when somebody plucked me by the coat.
It was Tom, his eyes fairly cleaning
ini h S whole frame III trenor Of excite
nent.
What is the matter?
MACPHERSON heren'
"What the other witness 81
F" Yes; just arrived, not an hour ago p'
p" but will 1t he p us to call him 2"
. Trust not to that Put him on the
stand at once %
" What shall ask him ?"
re " ~, NO matter; you can't go far wrong
II you miss anything I'll prompt you'
ion was evidently full of mystery with
which he was bent on taking everybody by
surprise, including myself.
In few words [ explained to the Court
our reasons for wishing to reopen the tes-
timony. Jackson turned pale and whisper
ed nergou5iy 10 his counsels, but they
shook their heads; our application was one
that would be granted of course.
Call your witness" said the Judge.
Donald MACPHERSON :" shouted Tom.
The witness, brawny, honest-faced
Scot, advanced to the stand and was sworn.
" Gro ahead p Tom whispered.
" Mr.. MACPHERSON, look at that sigma
ture and tell US if it is yours"
at is"
Of it. ?"
Yes. That's the signature of Mr.. An
drews."
Did you see him write it?"
" No; but l am well acquainted with
bis hand"
" Were you requested to witness that
paper?"
Yes"
By whom ?"
BY Mr. Jackson"
" Did Mr. Andrews say anything about
" No; he acas dead ccAea Icame in"
There was 10 cross examination.
8 submit the case without argument"
said, resuming my seat.
Our senior opponent was one of those
lawyers with whom it is a matter of con-
science to show e ght to the lust. La a
brlef speech he admitted it TO be essential
that both the witnesses should have signed
their names befIre the testators death, but
claimed that inasmuch as the testimony of
Jackson and Mac hersjn was in direct
conf CT on this question, it must be left to
the jury,
Certainly" said his Honor; but when
he had concluded his charge, there wasn't
much OF Mr.. Jackson and his testimony
left
The jury gave us verdict without leav-
ing their spats
Tom, am sorry to say, behaved very
unhandsomely in the division of the spoils.
Although was literally paid, he took
the widow and her whole fortune for his
share
As for Jackson, not being quite as con-
scientlons as Ju1as, he didu't go out and
hang himself; but at the rate he is going
it will take more law than he knows to
keep him M ich longer out of the Prison.