The weekly Louisianian., 1874-02-28
THE MUTE WITNESS.
BY CARLO MARINo.

Wlion were nearly grown 70 MANHOOD
at the time of the occurrence which is
the subject OF this sketch. The family
resided on a fine large estate which had
been in the family for generations.
The former owner Of the place had
lived and died IN old bachelor, and
Upon his death had; by his last will
and testament dated some eight months
previous to lis death, left the estate to
bis nephew. the present owner, James
Adams. About q year'and a half after
the old gentlenan's death, a young
man by the name Of Elliot appeared on
the scene and contested the will, stat
ing that he was the heir under will
dated but two days before the death OF
oil Mr.. Adams Elliot was the son OF
q Lal5 sister Of his and consequently a
relative Of James Adams; he wa about
the age Of Mr. Adams oldest son, but
was wild and dissipated, and had never
been on the best Of terms with his IA
mily. Now for few items in the way
of dates to mako our story more easily
understood. Old man Adams died on
the 10th Of January, 1893; the will by
which james. Adams held the estate
WIS dated May 10th. 1897, just eight
months previous to Il day; the will by
which Elliot claimed the property Was
dated January Stl,, 1893: and the law
suit which he brought forward Was
commenced about a year and q half
after the old ~Gcntienai's death, that
is, about the middle OF the year 1870.
The lawyers On both sides Of this
s!:it had advised their clients to try
and compromise the mattcr, end after
much debate it was agreed that James
Adams, and Brown, his lawyer, should
meet Elliot and his lawyer, Smith, at
the latter's office and talk over matters,
and Elliot promised to show Adams
and Brown the will by which lo
claimed TO be heir.
The appointed day came. Adams
had brought with him his little sen,
some ten years Old, his youngest child
and pet. All tho parties were prompt
and were O % seated around the table
Smiths Office, and after IL little Con-
he produced the will, which
Adams and Brown closely examined,
AID they were obliged to admit that
tue whole instrument was, il not the
handwriting OF the elder Adams, so
a forgery chat it was difficult to
prove it false. Tho little boy, like all
pets, c1ined ON his fathers
and now cried, "Pa, let ne see
and while the men were getting
deep in the details and arguments Of
tll': suit, the. child was looking at the
VIII, turning it Y { and measuring ii
other papers, and blInk sheets Of
holding it up to the light, ana
to ape the manners OF those
around him; Elliot, anxious for the
of lis precious will, tinallyfoll- |
RI a sheet Of blank foo'st;tp OF the size
Of the will and said, <'Hcrc, my boy.
this piece Of paper and play that
it is ;ile Will; I am afrlid you viii soil
The child did so and was soon
employed III going through tho mo-
Of reading, examining, turning
anl twisting the blank paper as his 81
lers lid the will. After a long con-
the parties separated, and SO
far from eifrcting compromise they |
more bitter than ever, and fully
determined to let the ease proceed the
following day.
As soon as court was opened, Adams, |
with Iii, lawyer AMI little boy, were
directly afterwards Elliot and
his lawyer made their appearance.
After the usual foinaIiti1s tue case
was opened, witnesses were called who
.ttcstcd that they were familiar with
Tie handwriting OF the elder Adams,
md that the will in favor of Elliot WAS
% the best OF their knowledge i'll his
handwriting. The two witnesses whose
names were appended to the Will swore
/ was Signed in their r~re9aancc, others
;worc they had heard the OIL gentle
nan express his determination OF re-
all former wills and recognize
NJ his half sisters son MS his heir.
The last witness swore that the sigma
was that of old Nh. Admins, that
re had been in correspondence with
lin for many years, having been "
,ci1oolmato and friend of many years
Standing: and that the paper even Yves
II the same appearance and texture OF
hat his friend usually liked.
eyes, pa" here exclaimed the little
who had hitherto been & silent but
witness Of the proceedings;
Yes, pa, I know that's SO, and Mr..
smith has % lot more Of old Uncle
writing paper like thai for he.
'avc me- a sheet last night. with the
mark and nanc in the middle of it,"
nj the chill pulled the sheet OF fools
paper out o. his pocket aEd gave
to his father: showing him the
mark (tElon just beginning to be
lscd) which wasa circle, with the llan'e
II the mills-Watcrford-and III the
enter the date, Jan. 1890.
MI. Adams 40 soona IA this than
ie handed it to the judge. who graEe]y
xa1lincd the will, which had been
landed. to him, and holding it up to
he light discovered the water mark OF
the snmo date and pattern.
Elliot and his lawyer turned pale at
he first mention Of this, and now Ell
lot sank on q seat poverless to move
II speak, while the Judge remarked.
that paper manufactured in $500
ould not possibly be used for u will
lated 1888"
Officers were sent to search Smiths
flee and found more paper OF the
a,nc stamp. Elliot and his accom-
dice seeing that Ill YVES up with them