The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1872-01-31

witness sat at the end of the box :; and close
TO him, among the spectators, stood old
Harvey Goodrich. who was at that time in
the paper mill of Day 4 Lyon, at Portland.
| had known him years before, whs II he
worked for Rice, of Newton. The juror
held the will in his hand, open. and Good
rich cast his eye upon it. l saw the old
paper-maker start and trembe.
Let me look at that" | heard him whis
+ per. for stood close by.
The juror, without considering, handed
him the document: and before the counsel
could ipterpose and regain it, Goodrich had
seen all he desired, and his first moveme Mt,
after relinquishins the will, was to hasten to
the side of the orphans attorney, and whis-
per. hurriedly and excitedly in his ear. I
saw the attorney, whose name was Shipman,
bend his head attentively, and then start to
his feet. What was it In those few brief
aeh' fRas 'ss 'ssosmef6ng Of Importance was on
the tapis.
"May it please ysur honor" said Ship
man, very quietly-so calmly and so quietly
that we feared it could be nothing of i'm
portanee. after ALL must ask the
Indulgence Of the court. l wish to present
new and important testimony
There was slight war of words between
the opposing counsel. after which, by per
mission of the court, the old paper'maker
took the witness box. He gave his name,
residence, occupation, ETC., and then Mr..
Shipman placed the will in his hands.
- Mr.. Goodrich, will you please examine
that document !"
II have done so, sir"
"What is the written date of that will ="
''SeptPnber fifth, eighteen hundred and
forty -one." answered the witness. reading
from the instrument.
Nov, Mr.. Goodrich, will you please
inform the jury, and the court, if you OBJ
serve anything else in or upon that paper
which you hold in your hand, that would
positively affect the reliability of that writ.
ten date. Make your own statement, in
your own way, only make it concise aud
clear
Your honor and gentlemen of the jury
commenced the witness, ''tbis piece OF
paper which l now hold in my hand was
manufactured by my self, and was calendered
upon machine of my own invention. The
water lines, in place of the ordinary blue
ruling. were included in nay improv ement
You will also observe, upon close inspec.
tion-though the ink upon the surface has
somewhat obscured Tiny own stamp liz
water-marks Your honor can examine it
for yourself.
The judge took the document, and held it
up against The strong light; and involun-
tarily he read aloud, so as to be heard By ,,.i
in the room. for every breath was hushed !:
II. Goodrich's patent. eighteen hundred aud
forty three.
"Yes. your honor" broke in Goodrich.
whose professional integrity was now in the
balance, Il can solelpnly swear that that
sheet of paper was not male until at least
two years after the date of the instrument
which has been written upon its face
The paper was given to the jury, who
were all upon their feet, Arnold's counsel
deuandod to see it. Mr.. CioudmapSna his
ssrs pssssSSSssd. Judge sad bsF Ia ia "a
state Of ferment. while the dense audience
swayed TO and fro in eager. painful suspense.
Would this old mau's- testimony have It's
legitimate weight
All! how could it be otherwise There
was witness more potent to an intelligent
court and jury than speech of tongue. The
| contested will bore in its innermost beart-
in its "heart of hearts"-ihe emphatic evil
dencs # The base lie upon its written face.
Other witnesses were called-ons paper
maker and two papef dealers-but the thing
was settled. The lined date of the
paper was evidence enough. A little while
and the Judge gave his charge-abeut as
brief charge as ever heard. A little
longer. and We knew that the orphans were
the true and legally established heirs Of
Jacob Amss' fortune. will not att enpt 10
describe the scene that followed. Suffice
| it for me to say, that the peUured parties
we're severely punished. while the sun Of
| joy and gladuess cast its gracious beams
uponthe beloved and deserving sisters.