Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-09-26
MiGGELLAHE GUS.
AT TIE RIGHT TIME.
a LAWYERS STORY.

The case pending before our corrt inter
e,ted our people deeply. \ few months pre-
viousy j acob Ames had died, leaving proper
;y to the amount Of fifty or sixty thousand
dollars, all OF which was readily available
At first il was supposed that the old man-hc
was eightv-seven-hs died without having
made will, as lie had often been heard to re-
mark that making will seemed like prep
aration for death, and rs 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 and only le-
gitmate heirs were two orphans, both girls
children of his only daughter. One OF them
was cripple, requiring almost the undivided
care and attention of the other, and both were
beloved b. all who knew them.
While people were feeling glad that the
orphan sisters were to be thus grandy provid
cd for, man named James Arnold presented
will for probate, said to be the last viii and
testament Of Jacob Amcs, made several years
before. This Arnold wns i ncphcw>in>law of
old Jacob, the child of vi!c's sister, and
had for several years been employed ms busi>
ness agent of the deceased and when Ire
caused the will to be presented, he produced
number OF witnesses who declared that they
had often heard old Amcs say that he had
made tho only will ne should ever make, and
that James Arnold was the heir, and, what
sesncd 70 make f1s lhSaBEer SURF, Spo sishesss'
cs to the will, former servants of the testator.
swore point blank to having seen Ames place
his signature to the document, after which
they signed their own names. Honest people
shook their heads q; this. for these two witt
nesscs-a man and his wifo-wero not above
suspicion. In fact it was generally believed
that small sum Of ready money would buy
them body and soul.
entered the court late in the afternoon OF
the third day, just tho Inst witness was
about to leave the stand; and this witness
was Thomas Cloudman, the servant just al
Iudcd to. He had been questioned by jury,
man. and had made plain statement. Eve
rything was against the dcspi-cd nephew In
fact, no honest man under the Evidence could
have brought in verdict against Aruold's
claim.
The juryman who had questioned this wit
ness sa, at the end OF the box; 9y him. among
the spectators, stood old Harley Goodrich,
who was at that time engaged in the paper
mill of Day d Lyon, al Por;Iand. l had
known him years before. The juror held tie
will in his Land, open and Goodrich cast his
eye upon it. l saw the old paper maker start
and tremb!e.
per, for l stood close ty.
The Juror. without considering, handed him
the document; and before the counsel could
iutcrpose and regain it. Goodrich hnd seen all
he desired, aud his first movement. after re-
liofuishins the viii, was 70 hasten to the side
of the orphau's attorney, and whisper, hur-
riedly and eZcitediy in his car. I saw the
attorney, whose name was Shipman, bend his
bead atteutivcly. and then start to his feet
What Was il? 10 these few brief moments
the whole audience had caught the fever of
excitement, for 1t was clearly evident that
something Of importance was on the tapis
''May it please your Honor, +" said Shiprnan.
very quctIy-so calmly aud quietly that we
feared it could be nothing of Importance. af-
ter all. 81 must ask the indulgence of the
court. l wish to present ucw and important
testimony"
There was slight var Of words between
the opposing counsel, after which, BIZ perrais
sion OF the cours, the old paper maker took
the.s'and. He gaze his name, residence, oc-
cupatioO, etc, and then Nr. Shipuau placed
the will in his hand.
"Mr. Goodrich will you please examine
/ that documcut?"
Il have done so, sir"
"What is the written date Of that will ~
September 9TH, 1871" apswered the wit
ness, reading from the instrument
/ ''Now Mr.. Goodrich, will you please in form
the jury and the court, if you observe any
thing else in or upon that paper which you
/ hold in your hand. that would possibly affec,
the reliability Of that written date. Make
your own statement, in your own way; only
make it concise and clear"
''Your Honor, and gentlemen Of the jury -
commenced the witness, ",his piece Of paper
which l now hold in my hand was msnufac-
tured BY myself and was calendeTed upon a
machine Of my own invention. The water
lines, in place Of the ordinary blue ruling,
was included in my improvement. You will
also observe. upon close psction-though
the ink upon the surface has somewhat OBJ
scured tiny own stamp in water marks.
Your Honor can examine it for yourself"
The judge took the document and held it
up against the strong light. and involuntarily
read aloud, so as to be heard By all in the
room-for every breath was hushed-"H.
Goodrich's patent. Eighteen hundred and
forty-three ~
"Yes, your Honor" broke in Goodrich,
whose professional integrity was now in the
| balance. 81 can soIemnly swear that that sheet
of paper was not made until at least two years