The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1882-12-07
Webster and Mason.

nection with il, was one relating to
case in which man named Bramble
was Implicated. Mathew Bramble was
a wealthy resident of Portsmouth, and,
as the sequel proved. an unscrupulous
man. His social position was good.
but feeling of distrust towards him
existed in the community. It seems
that Bramble had given to man named
Brown anannuity bond, agreeing to pay
him one hundred dollars a year as long
as he lived. Thiswas to keep dormant
title to some real estate. Brambe had
more than once tried to persuade Brown
to take ''lump" sum of money and
cancel the bond; but this Brown persist
emily declined to do, and in this he was
supported by the advice of his friends.
After in vain offering one thousand
dollars, Bramble resorted to the follow
ing method of getting rid of his obliga-
tions. He was accustomed when he
paid the hundred dollars to endorse it
on the bond. The next chance he cot
he endorsed, not one hundred dollars,
but one thousand dollars, adding, lin
full consideration Of and cancelling this
bond" Brown. who could not read or
write, unsuspectingly signed his mark
TO this endorsement. Bramble then
cooily handed him back his bond. and
of course said nothing of the matter
When the year come round an alter
cation took place between them. Bran
bic said: 81 owe you nothing; | paid
YOU thousand dollars, and it is certi-
fed on your bond"
Brown was poor rshoemaker-simple
minded, truthful, weak, not capable OF
coping with this scamp. He was friend
less, while Brambe was a rich man,
Poor Brown did not know what to do.
He had convinced his neighbors that
he was right. He went to jeremiah Ma
son. who told him he was Mathew
Bramble's lawyer. Mr.. Mason had ask
ed Bramble about the matter, and the
latter had showed the bond; and Mr.
Mason probably believed him. A friend
then advised Brown to go to Mr.. Web
ster; and, after hearing his story, Mr.
Webster, was quite convinced of the
truth OF Browns statement. He had no
confidence in Brambie.
In relating the story, he said to me-:
Il knew nothing positively against
Bramble, but something impressed me
that he was not a man of honor. | was
at once satisfied that he had committed
this fraud upon Brown, and told the lat
ter | would sue Bramble for the annuity.
He said he had nothing to give NE in
payment. | said / wanted nothing. |
sent Bramble a letter, and he made his
appearance in my office. i should like
to know said he, sharply, if you are
going to take up a case of this kind in
Portsmouth 1t seems to me that YOU
don't know on which side your bread is
buttered.' This man has come TO me,
| replied, without friends, and has told
plain, straightforward story; ard it
sounds as if it were true. 1t is not a
made-up story. l shall pursue this
thing and sue you, unless you settle
it.''5
Bramble went to Mr.. Mason, who af-
forwards said to Mr.. Webster: Il think
yea nave nade a mistake. Bramble Is
a man of influence. If can't be that
the fellow tells the truth Bramble
wouldn't do such u thing as that" Mr.
Webster replied: ''He has done such a
thing as that, and shall try the suit"
So the preliminary steps were taken.
and the suit was brought.
The case came on at Exeter in the
Supreme Court, Judge Smith on the
bench. 1t created great excitement
Bramble's friends were incensed at the
charge of forgery; but Brown. too, in
his humble way, had his friends. Mr..
Webster said: II never in my life was
more badly prepared for case There
was no evidence for Brown, and what
I to do did not know. But | had begun
the suit, and was going to run for luck,
perfectly satisfied that | was right
There was Brainble and his friends
with Mason; and poor Brown had only
his counsel And Mason began to sneer
little, saying. That is foolish case.'
Well, "a person named Lovejoy was liv-
ing IN Portsmouth, and then, where
there is great deal of litigation, as
there Is in Portsmouth and MANY towns In
New Hampshire. there viii always be
some person of Il kind not easily de-
scribed, q shreWd man who IS mixed up
IN All sorts Of affairs. Loyeioy was a
man OF this kind, and was q witness in
nearly all the cases ever tried in that
section. He was an imperturbable wit
ness, and never could be shaken in his
testimony. Call Loyejoy. and he would
swear that he was present on such an
OCCASION; and he seemed to live by Civ
ing evidence in this way. l was getting
a little anxious about the case. was
going 10 attempt to prove that Brown
had been appealed to by DrambIe for
years 10 give up his bond, and take q
sum OF money, and that he had always
stoutiy refused; tnat he had 10 uses for
money. and had never been in receipt
Of money; and that he could not write
and was easily imposed upon. But
although | felt that ! was right. l be-
gan to fear that / should lose the case.
- Portsmouth man, who believed in
browns stoEy, came to nc Just before
the case was called, and whispered in
my ear. 4 saw Loveioy talking with
Bramble just now in the entrv. and he
took a paper from him. thanked the
man, told him that was pretty import
ant thing to know, and asked him to
say nothing about it. In the course of
the trial Dir. Mason called Loveioy, and
be took the oath. He went upon the
stand and testified that some eight OF
ten months before he was in Browns
shop, and that Brown mended his shoes
tor him. AS he was sitting III the shop
he naturally fell into conversation about
the bond. and said to Brown, .Bramble
wants TO get back the bond; why don't
you sell to him?' 90 said Brown. i
have; he wanted me to do ii. and, as
life is uncertain. | thought | might as
well take the one thousand dollars. =
lie went on 70 testify that the said
Brown told him so and so: and when
he expressed himself in that way
knew lie was being prompted from
written paper. The expression was an
unnatural one for man to use in ordi-
nary conversation. 1t occurred to me
in an instant that Bramble had given
Lovejoy paper on which was set down
what he wanted him to testify. There sat
Mason. full of assurance, and for
moment / hesitated. Now, | thought.
/ will make q spoon or spoil horn.-
took the pen from behind my ear,
drew myself up and marched outside OF
the bar to the witness stand Sir /
exclaimed TO LoYejoy, give me the pa.
per from which YOU are tesfifyinpr In