New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-04-04

!" If your story is true, why did not Mr.. Bar
stow have another deed drawn up?1
He died of apoplexy the very day after
lost it."
You had witnesses, 1 presume, where are
theye''
Zone is dead, one moved West soon after
ward, the third was Jane Potter
The crazy woman?'
Morton nodded assent.
" An admirable story you have concocted,
but il will not help you any" said Leavitt, as
he rose to 60. You will not be suffered to
defraud Mr.. Barstow any longer, so prepare
YOURSELF
'But," interrupted John Etheridge "where
was the town clerk? He knew there was
deed.''
II forgot to tell you that he died within a
year Of Mr.. Barstow. You see the very day
Morton got his deed he had to go to Town
and spent the night He went away early in
the morning, but before night he came gallop-
ing back again with an anxious face to see if
we had seen anything of the deed. We
hunted everywhere as we thought, but could
not find it. Morton hunted for il for months,
but could never hear anything from it. He
kept it very quiet for fear Barstow, Jr., should
hear of it and make trouble. think he made
a mistake here; if he d only made fuss about
the loss the town clerk and witnesses would
have testified in his favor, and with everybody
on his side, he wouldn't have had any trouble
with BarstOw, who is a coward at heart, and,
like all towards, never strikes at one till he is
sure he can't strike again.
Ten years went by, as have said, and
suppose Morton had got to feeling very Sc
cure, so that when Barstow came forward
with his claims and accusations, the blow
overwhelmed him. He was a very nervous
man, easily upset, with not great deal of
go ahead in him, and he gave up at once he
never held his head up again but he died in
six months. 1 wouldn't like to stand in Bar
slows shoes forif there ever was murderer,
he's one. He managed to get the land and
the shop; the house he very generously gave
up; but he charged rent for all the ten years
it had occupied the land. Yes, he actually
did that, and the court sustained him, too"
Morton died beggar."
(which Of the witnesses was it that went
West ?" asked John.
"Jared Barker"
" Is there any way by which we could as
certain where he went or whether he is liv-
ing?"
" Morton couldn't find out anything, but
since then I've heard that some of his folks
lived in Gretna, way over in the west part of
the State, and, perhaps, they could tell some
thing about it,"
ats worth trying at any rate. How many
of Mr.. Morton's family are living ?'
His wife and two daughters. A hard
struggle they've had all their years, but they
got along, thanks to their own stout hearts.
Why, there's nothing that's honest that they
can't turn their hands to, 7and yet they are
ladies', every inch of them''
Il rejoice that there is a prospect of better
days in store for them. 1t will be great
pleasure to carry the joyful news ;" said John.
Both men were very much excited over the
affair, and impatient to be off. So in short
time they were fastening over the road to
Stafford.
Gwen 60 to Mrs. Morton's first" said
| Mr.. Ford, as they reached the town, and in
| few moments they drew up before the door
of a small, weather-beaten house. Mrs. Nor.
toms face still retained traces of great beauty
| but upon it was stamped the impress Of great
| sorrow, the soft hair drawn smoothly away
| under her Widows cap was silvery white
| while the expression of the mouth was that OF
patient sadness.
As she listened to John Etheridge's briel
story of finding the deed, the quiet Of her face
was broken up. Tears rolled down her cheeks
as she heard how little thing had been the
cause OF so great misery.
$50 far as the money is concerned, neither
l nor my daughters care enough for it to enter
into litigation; we have been enabled to get
along without it, and can continue to do so.
But to clear my husbands reputation and re-
store his good name, 1 would do anything con-
sistent with honor. 1 would like to retain
you, Mr.. Etheridge, as my COUNSEL
shall be only too happy to act for you,
and assure you shall leave no stone un-
turned" John replied earnestly.
AS they sat talking and arranging matters,
clear, sweet voice sang:
"Tra, La, La! sang the lark,
From his high fight leaning,
and the door opened suddenly, admitting
young girl, whom Mrs. Morton introduced as
"my daughter Gertrude" If you had seen
her standing there, you would have merely
said that she was a remarkably pretty girl,
with dancing eyes, and tempting lips; but
John soon found she was a witch.
Shubeal BarstOw showed fight, and Leavitt
was his lawyer. The case came off during
that session of the court, and the interest
felt in it was 80 intense and widespread that
out a fair case and even turned the tide of
popular feeling in Barstow's favor for a time,
although he was not a favorite.
Mrs. Morton sat motiOnless, with her face
shaded by her hands. Alice looked pale, and
Gertie, flushed and indignant, cast impatient
glances towards John Etheridge, who sat
quietly biding his time. John Ford was
sworn, and told his story in a straight
forward, decided way, that made good inn
preston. Nor could the cross-questioning
and brow-beating move him, OF make him
alter his testimony one jot or title. When
he had seated himself with a reassuring nod
at the Morton's John Etheridge played his
trump card, and called to the stand Jared
Barker. Instantly there was rustic of ex-
element, and the buzz of eager voices broke
the stiffness Of the room.
Amid the calls to order, large, burly man
of fifty years of age, made his way up to the
stand. He testified to having signed the deed
as witness; he knew this to be the deed in
question for he recognized it and was familiar
with its contents, having read it at the time.
After Morton left with the deed, Shubeal
Barstow, Jr., entered his fathers office, and
was informed of the transaction, Barker being
present at the time. With significant look,
the witness turned to Barstow and said:
Sir, are you satisfied as to my identity,
and that l speak the truth?''
Shubeal Barstow, at the moment of the
unexpected advent of Mr.. Barker, lost his
defiant upright air He looked male and