The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1888-05-11
miscellaneous.
Witness for the Plaintiff.
BY LUKE SHARP.

BY LUKE SHARP.
| The twO-masted schooner r. +. Baxter
vas owned and commanded by Captain Bax-
ter.
/ The season had been good one and the
Captain had made money. He needed what
cash he made, for the seasons before that one
had been very dull, and it was all the Cap
tain could could do to keep the vessel in his
possession. But this particular year had
been SO fortunate that he paid Off the mort
gage on his boat and had something left over
TO carry the family throughth winter.
There had been terrible storm in Sep
TENDER, hut the Baxter had weathered it,
through the skill of the Captain and the
slaunchneas of Inc boat; but it had been IL
close call, md the Cap ain, who had up to
that time arried no il 3urance except what
he had TO ut Oh when ne morlgagcd the boat
to secure Inc lenders, I'D effected ten thous-
and dolla- additional. so that if the good
ship went lown his family would not be left
pennies. The September weather had
worked greatly on his mind, and the anxiety
he felt during tie gale, when he would think
that if the boat was lost only 4 small amount
wolld cone TO his family, made him resolve
never to take such risks.
The insurance ran out on November LIST
and the Captain expected to have the boat
laid up by that time; but ireighls went
higher and higher, and additional trips be-
came more tempting, and when the storm of
October 30th began it found the Baxter on
the open lake, but just where will perhaps
never be known.
Part of the ships boat with the name
Baxter" came ashore, and that was all that
was left to tell the story of the wreck
went down with all hands," the papers
said.
Then came the question of insurance. The
companies banded together and resolved to
contest the case. They claimed that the
Baxter was a staunch boat and that she had
ridden out the two days storm of October 30
and 31st and that she had been lost on the 1st or
I'd of November when the insurance had ex-
pircd, and it rested with the plaintiff to show
that such was not the case.
The lawyers for the plaintiff knew that
they had pretty poor chance to show this
They had not much hope of securing ver-
dict But they knew that their client was
widow who had lost her husband in that
gale, and they trusted to a strong appeal to
the jury, who are very apt in such cases to
sympathize with the unfortunate and pile ON
the damages on soulless corporation. What
the chief counsel for the plaintiff feared was
that the Judge would so plainly direct the
Jury to give verdict for the companies that
those twelve gentlemen would have no chance
of letting their sympathies take the place of
good law.
Mrs. Baxter's lawyers were feeling rather
blue over the aspect of affairs on the second
day of the trial when word came to the Sc
Nor partner that man wished to speak to
him on important business After short
absence from the court room he returned
Ia ,l,,Nt nutl a inn
man and said
"YOur Honor, we desire to place another
witness on the stand
The other side at once objected, and said it
was very unusual at that stage of the case,
and desired to know what his brother intend
ed to prove.
I'VE intend 10 prove the dale of the loss
of the Baxter | wish to call Jacob Swanson,
one of the survivors"
At this extraordinary announcement there
Was II sensation, especially among the ie-
porters each one of whom was hewailing his
bad luck in not getting hold Of Mr.. Swanson
himself md thus securing sensation for his
paper. The Judge oyerrued the objections
OF the attorneys Tor the companies and elect
ed to hear what Mr.. Swanson had to say.
His Honor added that ample opportunity
would be given the defence to show that Mr..
Swanson was an impOstor., as they had rath-
er plainly intimattd. Jacob Swanson took
the witness stand and was sworn. He wore
heavy beard, but that only served to en-
phasiz' the haggardness of the uncovered
part of his face.
"What is your name?"
Jacob swanson"
Are you citizen of the United States ?"
YES, but was born in Sweden"
"Wlal IS yOrr business ~
81 am Z aiiO:."
"Were 'ou on board the Baxter when she
was lostI
81 was
"Wherr did You ship on herr"
ain Detroit"
How many voyages did you make on
her?'
THAT was my second voyage"
"When was she lost ~
"On the night of the Both of October"
Are you sure of that?"
Eyes, sir"
"That is all, your Honor"
The lawyers for the other side took the
witness in hand.
do you know that II great deal depends
on your testimony in this case?"
Yes, Sir"
'Oh, you do, chY You know that my
clients will have 10 pay Il large sum of
money ifwhat you state is true?"
Yes, SIR"
you have some interest in the verdict
! them"
Yes, sir"
ooh, you hive. l like witness that is
frank. You would not tell lie sup
pose"
II have done So"
Have you? Did you ever perjure your
self before?"
plaintiffs lawyer-"That is not proper
! sort of question to ask witness"
/ II propose to examine him my own way"
"But submit thut such question is not
proper one"
"Ele has just confessed himself to be liar
and propose to see whether he will confess
to perjury as well''
1 81 think many Of US might confess to tell
ing lie if we were only honest enough"
II hope you speak only for yourself sir !;
must protest."
| His Honor-"Please continue the case.
The witness has answered very straightfor-
wardly SO far, l think. Mr. Bounce will not
insist on the question"
Very well, your Honor. Now, sir, was
any inducement offered you to come here and
testify as you have done?"
! NVpu cir "