The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-05-16
" / do, your honor" l answered.


"Who for the defendant ?"
Il do, your honor" answered two of
the oldest and most talented lawyers
from Kent.
" Are you ready for the plaintiff ?'
We are"
care you ready for the defendant ?"
We are, your honor"
Z" Let a jury be sworn, them" said
the judge.
The jury was soon empaneled. The
twelve men filed in and took their seats
amid the most breathless silence.
Let the case proceed at once" said
the Judge.
"Call Mr.. Bowls" said l.
The sheriff called him. He came
into the courtroom, 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 defend
ant was seated near his counsel, calm,
confident and defiant.
Examine the Witness" said the
judge.
"Mr Bowls" 1 began, " are you ac-
quainted with the PLAINTIFF"
I" i am"
DO you know where she lived
from the time she was three years old
up to the time she was sixteen?"
81 do.n
Where?"
With the late James Morgan"
Are you certain that this plaintiff is
the same person?"
am"
"That's all wish to ask" said 1 to
Cross-examine, gentlemen said
the Judge.
said the opposing counsel.
Let the witness stand aside" said
the court. "Call your next"
May it please your honor, we have
no other witnesses that we wish sworn
at present." said 1, rising to my feet
and looking around the room.
A murmur of disappointment ran
through the crowd.
"Then do you rest your case here?"
said the Judge, with smile.
mo, your honor; we have some
record evidence that we wish to intro
duce." And as l spoke / drew it from
my pocket. cit is an authenticated
copy from the records of the county
for the year IS. 1t proves that this
young lady was duly and legally adopted
as the daughter of the deceased, and,
as such, is entitled, under the law, to
this property as his nearest and only
heir-at-law. Shall l read it to the
jury?"
" Read it," said the Judge.
But Skaggs' lawyers sprang to their
feet with storm of objections. For
a full hour they argued with all the
force of their ability, bringing to bear
their vast legal knowledge and ex-
perience. But they were finally over
ruled by the court, who directed me to
proceed
The record was conclusive. After
reading it | announced that l would
close the case for the plaintiff. The
defendant was so completely taken by
storm that he did not introduce single
witness. The charge of the court was
lucid and comprehensive. In thirty
minutes the jury returned verdict for
the plaintiff.
The result was received with loud
acclamations 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.
firmed.
Three months later the real estate
was turned over to my client. The
securities were given up at the same
time without suit. With a part of
the interest which had been accumu.
lating for years the old mansion at
Oakdale was retitted and furnished.
Six months later there was quiet
wedding at my old friend Bowls, in
which l took prominent part.
| am getting on toward middle age.
l love my profession better than ever,
though my time is now necessarily di-
vided and portion of it devoted to the
farm at Oakdale.
The old farmhouse is vocal with child.
ish music, and sunny-haired, soft
voiced little woman makes it the bright
est spot on all the earth for me.-Mil
ton T. ADKINS.