The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-07-29

in ascertaining that undue Influence
had been used over her mother by the
woman TO induce her to make the will.
She was weak minded and old, and her
daughter was deuced clever aud strong
minded aud she wrote gushing letters
TO her mother that no doubt had undue
power over her John Hardine will
make a live Administrator. He's given
the proper bonds already"
'But what will become OF Mrs. Tubbs
and her children ?p
That's for Peter Tubbs to say"
''Bui you forget the late news"
81 did. That's So"
'Do you suppose he'll escape ?"
"Oh, can't tell. 'Tisn't likely.
They seldom do"
Mrs. Tubbs drew her slouched sun
bonnet more closely about her face, and
leaned forward in the unconscious atti-
tUde Of eager listening.
The group Of men we're so deeply in
terested over their own gossip that they
scarcely noticed her.
Hes got lively start by this time"
said one.
How did he ever manage to draw
the money ?" asked another
'Oh, il was easy enough" said the
Judge. "He presented his wife's checks
and endorsed them. Il wouldn't have
been q criminal act if it had been done
before the final decision was made.
But, when he found thst the money
didn't belong to his wife, as he'd sup
posed at the time he drew IL from the
bank, aud bed have to give il up il he
didu't run away, he thought he'd better
skip the country"
"What % exclaimed the wife, now
thoroughly alarmed. "Hss anything
happened to Peter Tubbs 2'
Yes" said the Judge. "Did you
know him ?'
He was, or is, my husband"
Then ! beg your pardon. We were
thoughtless or We would not have been
discussing him thus in the presence Of II
lady and a stranger"
Lie sat for several minutes as one
turned TO stone. All eyes were turned
upon her with Interest.
TOO bad that this should happen to
her, poor thing" said one, aside
'She'll have hard row TO hoe in her
poverty, now that she's grass widow"
was another charitable comment
After a while she rose to her feet and
threw back her slonch bonnet, uncon-
seiously revealing her wonderfully
beautiful hair, beamiug eyes aud fresh
complexion TO the gaping crowd.
"By George, but she's lovely % said
the Judge, soto Uoce.
you, sir, are Judge Orlando, be-
lieve," she said, turning her eyes upon
her admirer with a searching gaze, as il
reading him through and through.
Yes, ma'am. I have not had the
honor OF your acquaintance before, but
have long known your brother, John
Hardine," he replied, gazing at her
with look Of eager delight that angered
her to the highest pitch Of indignation.
"HOw much money did Peter Tubbs
get away with ?'' she asked, abruptly.
"Only about four Thousand, ma'am
! don't think he meant 10 run away
when he cashed the check. IL is true
that the will was before the Court when
be did it, but he bad been led by out
, side parties to believe that II was valid,
aud so he took the money as his own
But, when he beard the decision this
afternoon, he took the stage for South
ern Oregon"
"And why was not the will consid-
cred valid, sir21
Judge Orlando would have gladly
given the thousand dollars that, "unbe-
known to him." had been pocketed as a
bribe, 10 have been at the sntipodes just
then.
Because, ma'am, you see, it is neces
sary that any person, To make y will,
must be Of sound mind"
"But my mother had the testimony
Of medical experts, as well as that OF all
her friends, to prove that she was un-
commonly successful as a business
woman, aud every way competent to
manage her own affairs"
81 have no desire to talk upon points
Of law with ladies, madam. You, being
a lady, could not be expected 10 compre-
bend the iutricaeies Of the law. Upon
my word, you are quite too handsome to
he worrying your mind about finances"
The cheeks OF Mrs. Tubbs flushed scar
let, aud she restrained her Indignation
with difficulty. How she longed 10 give
the learned protector Of women a piece
T Of her mind!
But the profound jurist could not
tathom her thoughts, and he continued
To ogle her admiringly, while the
iookers-on exchanged winks Of amused
+ satisfaction.
q Il say, sir, that my mother was No,
Z unsound 10 mind. It's fiagrnn, ne,.
20 version Of well-authenticated f.c,s 70
y say she was"
D. 'Go il! I'll hold your bonnet -, c,, ,.,,
an eye witness, whose coarse remarl
Re was followed by general laugh.
u' "Nou have said that undue infIneDo.
b. was exercised over my mother by nv
&c self, sir and I pronounce this aecusa
he ton false aud villainousvi
Se Come, come, ma'am, don't get an
gty Il will spoil your fine complex