The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-05-30
AN UNEXPECTED WITNESS.

next day without sending for little
Charley, who was too young, perhaps
they thought, to appreciate his loss.
This was the way little Charley came
to be my client: After his mothers
death, viii was produced, leaving all
her handsome fortune to Mr.. Bryson
her second beloved husband - little
Charley's stepfather.
When the will was offered for probate.
1t became necessary to appoint some one
to protect the rights of little Charley /:
and to this post-that of guardian ad
Htenl, the lawyers call it-too often re-
garded as one of mere form. was duly
assigned.
1t would have afforded me great
pleasure to break that will, for l had
much less confidence in the austere Mr..
BTySOn than his cOnfiding little wife had
who had trusted him with everything
her little boys future included. For
myself, thought there was far too much
goodness in his face to leave any for his
heart
But what could do T.? The will was
in legal form. DR.. Dolus. who had at
tended the lady on her deathbed, had
drawn 1t up and witnessed it. and was
ready to swear to everything necessary
to make it valid. The other witness.
Sandy Mcbride, an old Scotch domes-
tic, staunchly loyal to his mistress, died
and was buried the very day before the
case was to come on. The weather was
warm, and DR.. Dolus advised a speedy
interment.
With Sandy died all my hopes. He
was truthful. honest fellow. and what
ever facts he knew l was certain he
would tell. But now his voice was 81
fenced, and all the other side had to do
was to prove his death and handwriting.
The night before the proofs were ia
ken l sat up late and went to bed trOu-
bled. l fell asleep at. last and was
dreaming of Mr.. MurdStOne and David
Co2perfield, when loud rapping woke
me. 1t was Dick Seton. All old chum of
mine, now medical student, who had
habit of calling at all sorts of hours.
beg pardon, Il" said Dick. s.but I've
something strange to tell YOU. =
l thought it might have kept till
morning, but babe him proceed.
My friend, MOL Pellett. and I - he
went on, ''have long wanted a subject
to dissect. So we hired Paddy Burke
for ten dollars and a jug of whisky. with
another jug contingent, to dig up and
bring US tonight the body of Sandy
Mcbride, who was buried TO-DAY.
You'll all get into scrape, - said I.
That 5 a point on which l promised
Pat to consult you, Dick replied but
my story first :
IN ol and were sitting. by turns whet-
ting our Scalpels and looking over the
pictures III Gray's Anatomy, when we
heard Pats signal.
mol let him in. His face was death
ly pale. Quickly dumping a heavy sack
from his shoulder
. 'Bedad Oi've got him!' ne exclaim-
ed 'but l wudn't do the job again foI
twoice the pay,'
"'What's the matter ? Mol asked.
"'Afther I tuck him up. yes see.
Pat said, he was civil enough for a
whole: but Dim blissed if the spal-
peen hasn't been Eicben' me IN the bach
for the last half moile =
Nonsense IA mere fancy-a preju-
dice of race, said 1, as we turned the
body out of the sack, laid it on the table
and took up our instruments.
- Great heaven what's this ?" eX-
claimed Mol, starting back. The man s
alive =
And sure enough. Poor Sandy, af-
ter a few cOnvulSive movements, rose tC
a sitting posture, and rubbing his eyes
looked confusedly about.
.''Oh, murdher murdher :, screamed
Pat. Sure the rogue II turn States iv.
idence on us an play the mischief wild
us all for disturbin' his etarnal rest. >
And. by the way, that's the point OF
which | promised to consult you.
In short, and to be serious. " DicE
continued, SANDY Mcbride, the want
of whom as q witness l heard you 81
greatly regretting to-day, is now alive
and at your service. He tells queel
story about old Dolus giving him some
thing to cure the headache, and hi.
knowing nothing afterwards. l nor,
than half suspect the old quack of fou
play. To poison outright would be dan
gerous but there are plenty of drug.
which viii produce the semblance OF
death and leave no suspicious traces af.
terwards Through such means a MAJ
might be effectually disposed of by bury
ing him alive
l hurried Oh my clothes and set out
with Dick. In a back room we founC
Sandy sitting in his shroud, regalinl
himself on cold ham and a mug of ale
Pat Bnrke looking on with eyes agap,
and hair still on end.
| had a conference with Sandy, tht
result of which will be disclosed present
lv. Suffice it to say. it was deemed ad
visable that his return should be kept ;
secret for the present.
Two more respectable-looking gentle
men than Mr.. BrysOn and DR.. DOlu
never appeared in court to tell lie O
rob an orphan.
When the doctor took the stand anC
kissed the book. he seemed the imper
sonation of truth. He gave his testi
mony clearly and methodically. II,
had written the will. He deemed /
I r fsF,
! himself to draft such Instruments
I The provisions mad been dictated by TIN
/ testatrix herself. who was of sound mint
and memory. He and the other witnes
1 had seen her sign the instrument. Sh
/ had declared it to be her will, and the,
+ had subscribed as witnesses at her Re
/ quest. in her presence, and the presenct
/ of each other. His cO-WitneSs was dead
/ but he had seen him affix his signature
and recognized the handwriting. L
I short, he covered every requirement o
/ the law. and sat down with the air of
man conscious Of having performed hi
whole duty. 1t was no use to cross-eS
/ anime him. think he would have like
it.
"IIave you anywitnesses, Mr.. Gaines?
the judge asked.
zone, your honor.
"Call him.
Il have sent for him; he will be heI
in a moment, = 1 replied.
The judge looked surprised, the cas-
seemed so clear. Mr.. Bryson and Il
doctor looked both surprised and an,
iouS.
Surprise turned to amaZement whe
Sandy Mcbride was conducted to Il
witness-stand. The spectators, as
passed, gave him wide berth. Th,