Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1872-03-02

ON OoAASo AlAOA PlSnSulSu u Wa
for probate, said to be tho last vii
several years before. This Arnol,
was a nephew-in-law of old jacob
the child Of a wife's sister, and hs,
for several years been employed a
business agent and general accoun
tant of the deceased; and whom b
caused the will to be presented, h
produced anumber of witnesses VIII
declared that they had often hear
old Ames say that he had made tn
only will he should make, and tina
James Arnold was his only he'll
and what seemed to make the mat
ter sure, two witnesses to the will
former servants or employees Of tn
testator, swore point-blank to hav
seen Ames place his signature to tn
document, after which they signeC
their own names. Honest peopl
shook their heads at this, for thes,
two witnesses-a man and his wifi,
were not above suspicion. II
fact, it was generally believed tha'
a small sum Of money would bu!
them body and soul.
| entered the court room late il
the afternoon of the third day, just
as the last witness was about tt
leave the witness-box, and this wit.
ness was Thomas Cloudman, the
seavant just alluded to. He had
been questioned by a juryman, and
had made q plain statement. Every
thing was against the poor, deserv-
ing orphans, and in favor of the de-
spised nephew. In fact, no honest
man, under the evidence, could have
brought in o verdict against Ar
nold's claim.
The juryman who had questioned
this witness sat at the end Of the
box; and close to him among the
spectators, stood old Harvey Good
rich, who was at that time engaged
in the paper mill of Dap & Lyon,
at Portland. l had known him
years before, when he worked for
Rice, of Newton. The juror held
the will in his hand, open, and
Goodrich cast his eyes upon it. l
saw the old paper-maker start and
tremble.
"Let me look at that" Il heard
him whisper, for I stood close Bly,
The juror, without considering,
handed him the document; and be-
fnra the mmuSr1 uunla iui-,Pvoo
and regain it, Goodrich had seen all
he desired, and his first movement,
after relinquishing the will, was to
hasten to the side of the orphans
attorney, and whisper, hurriedly
and excitedly, in his ear. saw the
attorney, whose name was Shipman,
his head attentiyely, and then
start to his feet. What vas it? In
those few brief moments the whole
audience caught the fever of excite
ment, for it was clearly evident that
something important wos on the
"May it please your Honor" said
.hipman very quietly-so calmly
md so quietly that we feared it
could be nothing of importance af-
.er all-T must ask the indulgence
If the Court. l wish to present
now an important testimony"
There was a slight war of words
between the opposing counsel, after
by permission Of the Court,
he old paper-maker took the wit
less box. He gave his name, resi-
occupation, etc, and then
Mr.. Shipman placed the will in his
"Mr. Goodrich, will you please
examine that document,
81 have done so, SIR
"What is the written date Of that
Vill2,'
September fifth, 1871" answered
he witness, reading from the in
trument.
"Now, Mr.. Goodrich, will you
'lease inform the jury, and the
curt, if you observe anything else, in
n upon that paper which you hold
n your hand, that would positively
fleet the reliability of that date.
lake your own statement, in your
'sn way, only make it concise and
"Your Honor, and gentleman of
be jury" commenced the witness,
he piece of paper which Inow hold
n my hand was manufactured by
lyself and calendered upon a ma
hine of my own invention. The
1ater lines, in place of ordinary
Tue ruling, was included in my i'm
'rovement. You will also observe,
pom close inspection-though the
ak upon the surface has somewhat
bscured Tiny own stampin water
marks. Your Honor can examine
! for yourself"
The Judge took the document,
nd held it up against the strong
ight; and voluntarily read aloud,
o as to be heard by all in the room
for every breath was hushed-"H.
Aoodrich's patent 1843!"
eyes, your Honor" broke in
whose professional integ-
ity was in the balance, II can SOL
mly swear that that sheet of paper
vas not made until at least two
ears after the day of the instrument
which has been written upon its
ace."
The paper was given to the jury,
Who we're all upon their feet. Ar
counsel demanded to seeit.-
Mr.. Cloudman and his wife got up,
nd tried to leave the room, but
we're prevented. Judge and bar
we're in q state Of ferment; while
he dense audience swayed to and
70 in eager, painful suspense.
I'LL H. IL |