The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-02-23
Miscellaneous.
TESTIMONY At THE RIGHT TIME.

The case pending before our Court
interested the people deeply. A few
months before Jacob Ames had
died, leaving property TO the amount of
fifty or sixty thousand dollars, all of
which was readily available. at first
it was supposed that the old man-he
was eighty-seven--had died without
having made will, as he had often been
heard to remark that making will
seemed like a preparation for death,
and as there could be no question about
the inheritance Of his property, he did
not choose to make any such, to him,
ghostly testament. His direct an d only
legitimate heirs were two orphans, both
girls, children of his only daughter.
One Of them was a cripple, requiri ng
almost the undivided care and attention
of the other, and both were beloved by
all who knew them. While people
were feeling glad that the orphan sis
ters were to be thus grandly provided
for, man named James Arnold pre-
sented will for probate, said to be the
Last Will and Testament of Jacob
Ames, made several years before. This
Arnold was nephew-in-law of old
Jacob, the child of his wife's sist er, and
had for several years been employed as
business agent and general accountant
of the deceased; and when he caused
the will to be presented, he produced
Of Nt,it N1rIn rn1
that they had often heard old Ames say
that he had made the only will he
should make, and that James Arnold
was his heir; and, what seemed to make
the matter sure, two witnesses to the
will, former servants or employee s OF
the testator, swore point blank to hav
ing seen Ames place his signature to
the document after which they signed
their own names. Honest people shook
their heads ut this, for these two wit.
nessos-a man and his wife-were not
above suspicion. In fact, it was gener'
ally believed that small sum Of ready
money would buy the M body and soul
entered the courtroom late in the
afternoon of the third day, just as the
last witness was about to leave the wit
ness stand; and this witness was Thorn
as Cloudman, the servant just alluded
to. He had been questioned by jury
man, and had made plain statement
Everything was against the poor, de
serving orphans, and all in favor of the
despised nephew. In fact, no honest
man, under the evidence, could have
brou ght in verdict against Arnold
claim.
The juryman who had questioned thi:
witness sat at the end of the box; anc
close TO him, among the spectators
stood old Harry Goodrich, who was a
that time engaged in the paper mill o
Day g. Lyon, at Portland. had known
him years before, when he worked fol
Rice, of N export. The juror held The
will in his hand, open, and Goodrich
cast his eye upon it. L saw the old pa
maker start and tremble.
"Let me look at that !" L heard hin
whisper, for stood close by.
Thejuror, without considering, hand
ed him the document; and before th'
counsel could interpose and regain i
Goodrich had seen all he desired, anC
his first movement, after relinquishini
the will, was to hasten to the side OF th
orphans attorney, and whisper, hur
riedly and excitedly, in his ear. sav
the attorney, whose name was Ship
man, bend his head attentively, an(
then start to his feet. What was it
In those few brief moments the who'll
audience had caught the fever of excite
ment, for it was clearly evident tina
something of importance was on tn
tapis.
"May it please your honor" salt
Shipman, very quietly-so calmly ant
quietly that we feared ii could be moth
ing of importance after alI-"I mus
ask the indulgence of thecOurt. Iwis
to present new and important testimC
ny"
ThClc was slight war of words be
tween the opposing counsel,aiter which
by permission of the court, the old pf
per maker took the witness-boX. Ii
gave his name, residence, occupation
etc; and then Mr. Shipnaan placed tn
will in his hands.
"Mr. Goodrich, will you please exam
inc that document?"
81 have done so, SIR"
] "What is the written date of thu
will ?"