Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-03-21

We'll, it came; and attended with
my client before the surrogate, at the
hour named in the citation. There were
also present Passmore, Bledsoe, and a
distinguished member of our bar, whom
the latter had obtained to assist him.
The man Bledsoe produced an instru-
ment which purported to be, and which
he declared was, the will and testament
OF Jacob Shelmire. 1t was very briei,
giyiug to Rufus Bledsoe all the property
real and personal. of which he should
die possessed. II was dated, observed
about year previous TO the time that
Virginia had come 10 live with her grand
father. II was signed with the full namo,
Jacob Shelmirs. written apparently in
the same hand wi h the body OF the
instrument, (and the writing. was mar
velously like that OF Jacob himselD and
it was witnessed, or purported to be. by
Thomas Drake and Peter Larnard, both
merchants Of the city. As he read the
names. | happened to know that both of
them had been dead several years.
The will was proved by Blcdsoe and
Passmore, each testifyirg 10 the gen
uineness of the signatures OF both testator
and the Witnesses. Aud Bledsoe, in
addition. swore that he had received the
will from Jacob Shelmire personally
the day alter its date.
The story which this man told was
substantially as follows:
/ He was nephew of the late Mrs.
Shclmire. and was quite boy when his
aunt was married. His new uncle saw
him on tina, occasion, and took quite q
fancy TO him. The wedding he said. was
in distant town, where his parents
resided; and when the wedding broke
up, Mr.. Shelmire said 10 him, "Remem.
Der me, my boy, if you want help"
Years after, when chances LEFT him pen
uless in London, he remembered the
circumstances, ,and went in search OF Mr..
Shelmire, and the old man gave him
warm welcome. Your aunt is dead,
my boy he said, land | have no kilh
or kin on earth that know Of had a
daughter, but she is dead. too. and |
can't learn that she has lett me any chill.
dren 10 take care Of. You are welcome,
indeed. my lad With this he took him
home and treated him aifectonately
while be stayed, The old man was
anxious to adopt him. and keep him with
him I'LL death should separate; but Bed.
soc was sailor and soon began TO long
for another voyage, and AT last told the
old man that he must go. The night
before he went Mr.. Shelmire sat up after
his usual bedtime, writing and in the
morning be gave to his guest a iold OF
paper, which he told him would do him
good some time. The old man at the
same time gave him Que hundred pounds.
aud leaving London the same day, Bled.
soc had seen no more OF it until the day.
before his interview with the proctor.
He had been at sea most OF the time
since, and had learned by the merest
chance 10 Liverpool. while looking over
the files OF a paper, the death OF Jacob
Shelmire. Curiosity led him to examine
the document which he had given him
aud he discovered, to his amazement,
that it was the old mana last will and
testament giving all the property to him,
and making u his executor. In addi-
tion 10 this the fellow swore that he had
often seen Mr.. Shelmire and both the
witnesses write that he knew these
were their genuine signatures.
That the man had lied from beginning
10 end l could not have the least doubt.
saw deliberate determined perjury in
his snaky looking eye. For two hours
did cross examine him, and he deliver
ed his evidence with all the coolness and
nonchalence OF an expert. As for Pass
more. he swore quite as plumply that he
was we'll acquainted with the writing OF
all the parties whose names were on the
will, and that they were all genuine sigma
lures. Further than this. he remembered
distinctly the fact Of Bledsoe's visit, and
even went so far as 10 swear that Mr..
Shelmire had sent him tor Drake aud
Lsrnard the night before Bledsoe left.
He said that he found them and requested
them to 60 in the house on business and
that both had told him that they would
60.
could make nothing more oil them thal
this, and the surrogate admitted The will
TO probate when examination was lin
ished. From this decision l took aD
appeal to q higher court.
l shall have nothing 10 say OF present
of the triumphant looks and actions OF
these two schemipg villains, nor the
grief aud despondency Of Virginia. The
sight OF her pretty face. pale and patient,
and so very anxious. made me nervous
and unfit for work, and at last told my
student, Will Wayman. that he must
talk with her whenever she came into
the office.
Tell her." said. "tbat am working
hard for her, and will do all that can
be done"
And with that l left him to talk with
her and comfort her; aud Master Will,
as have reason 10 think, was not averse