, 1888-08-19
81 do, your honor" 1 answered.

81 do, your honor" / answered.
"Who for the defendant2''
1--WE do, your honor" answered two
of the oldest and most talented lawyers
from Kent.
"Are you ready for the plaintiffT'
"We arel"
care you ready for the defendant7'
eve are, your honor"
"Let a jury be sworn, then," said the
judge.
The jury was then ~impaneled. The
twelve men filed in and took their seats
amid breathless silence.
LET the case proceed at once" said
the judge.
Call Mr.. Bowles," said I.
The sheriff called him. He came into
the court room, took the witness stand
and was sworn.
The most intense silence now reigned.
My fair client was seated by my side,
pale and quiet. The defendant was
seated near his counsel, calm, confident
and defiant.
Examine the witness" said the
judge.
Mr.. Bowles,"I began, ''are you &C.
quainted with the PLAINTIFF"
81 am"
~ yOu hIOW "htIG BIG hNGu IIOll
the time she was 8 years old up to the
time she was 1872
Il do"
''Where?'
''With the late James Morgan"
Are you certain that this plaintiff is
the same person?"
II am"
That's all I wish to ask" said 1 to
the court.
"Cross-examine, gentlemen, " said the
judge.
I'VE don't wish to ask anything, " said
the opposing counsel.
LET the witness stand aside" said the
court. 'Call your next"
MAY it please you Honor, we have
nc other witnesses that we wish sworn al
present, =" said !, rising to my feet and
looking around the room.
A murmur of disappointment ran
through the crowd.
''Then you rest your case here?n said
the judge, with a smile.
mo, your honor; we have some rec
ord evidence that we wish to introduce"
And, as l spoke. | drew it from my
pocket. at is an authenticated copy
from the records of the county for the
year 10. 1t proves that this young
lady was duly and legally adopted as the
daughter of the deceased, and, as such,
is entitled, under our law, to his prop
erty, as his nearest and only heir-at-law.
Shall l read it to the jury2"
Read it," said the judge.
But Skaggs' lawyers sprang to their
feet with a storm of objections. For a
full hour they argued, with all the force
of their ability, bringing to bean their
vast legal knowledge and experience.
But they were finally overruled by the
court, who directed me to proceed.
The record was conclusive. After
reading it l announced l would close the
case for the plaintiff. The defendant
was so completely taken by storm that
he did not introduce a single witness.
The charge of the court was lucid and
comprehensive. In thirty minutes the
jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff.
h result was received with lou ac-
clamation by the excited audience.
Skaggs took the case to the supreme
court, but only for the purpose of gain
ing time. The judgment below was af-
irmed.
Three months later the real estate was
turned over to my fair client. The securi-
ties were given up at the same time with
out a suit. With a part of the interest
which had been accommodating for so many
years the old mansion at Oakdale was re-
fitted and furnished.
Six months later there was a quiet
wedding at my old friend Bowles's, in
which took a prominent part.
1 am getting on toward middle age. 1
love my profession better than ever,
though my time isnow necessarily divid-
ed, and a portion Of it devoted to the farm
at Oakdale.
The old farm house is vocal with
childish music, and a sunny haired, soft
voiced little woman makes it the brightest
spot on all the earth for me.-New York
Graphic.