Wichita eagle., 1888-08-28

"G5 'Gy UoIO cU1 tIISc4, LUZ 6AO1 q
moments hesitation said, with dignity:
Come up to the house, please. will
consult my aunt Down, Tip-down,
SIR"
The dog ceased barking at this Com
uland, and trotted quietly ahead Of
fered to take the jar. but she declined
with the conpRre Of queen.
When she had introduced me to Mrs
Benham and said, 'This gentleman,
aunt, has something very strange TO
tell you, and I will leave You with him
for moment" she disappeared, return
ing some quarter of an hour later dressed
In becoming suit Of blue muslin and
with the daintiest Of slippers on her
pretty feet. I had meantime produced
the viii and given details of the manner
In which it was found.
Not to dwell too long ON this prefnde
to my story, will say briefly that my
client and I started the next morning for
Kent, and were met at the depot by
Bowles and his daughter, who relieved
ne of my charge, while ! went to my
boarding house for supper and thence to
my room.
Next day I fled the document in the
Office Of the county clerk and gave no
tice to Skaggs that on the following
Monday I should move that it be ad-
mitted to probate.
But here new difficulty presented It
self. In Cur anxiety to find the claimant
we had utterly overlooked the attesting
witnesses
I Immediately went to Bowies and
stated the difficulty.
"Ahi" said he, ''why have We not
thought OF this befon7''
''Do you know these witneses'' said I.
Eyes, know them. Tom Jones lived
as a tenant on the old mans farm at the
time Of his death. He now lives about
ten miles out ON the Lancaster road.
And, as certain as Tp sinner, squire,
this othar witness IS dead. William
JackSon2 Tes-I remember him. He
moved TO Texas and died year ago."
Then it's all up. We can't get along
without both witnesses. Are you sure
that Jackson is dead?''
81 am certain sure. He ms brother
living II this town who received letter
from the family in Texas at the time Of
his death. There is no doubt about it"
Then we NAV as well drop the mat
ter at once. The law of this state re-
quires the evidence Of two witnesses, and
makes no provision for the deathof one"
''It does look rather ugly, If that's the
case" said Bowles. But let's make
fight Of it-someriGnS may turn up in
cur favor"
w.
made gallant struggle, but it was in
vain. Ny speech, was told afterwards,
was applauded privately by the judge,
though il his official capacity he felt
compelled TO decide against me- I re-
member that I spoke from full heart
of the injustice OF refusing to receive a
viii which everybody knew 70 be that Of
Morgan merely because one Of the wit
nesSes died.
''It Is the law we are called on 10 ad-
minister here said the judge from the
bench, mot what you or 1 may think,
Dir. Attorney, is equity. And you know
as well as do, for you are good hw-
Yer. that it takes two witnesses to prove
q Will"
But the case was not without its bene-
fit TO me- professionally. Ny speech had
made an impression on the public, and
business now began TO pour in.
My fair client still remained at my
friend Bowles'. my eldest daughter
has come to love her as sister," he
said. Bessie, as you must have seen,
Is unusually intelligent She had re-
ceived quite q good education, too, be-
fore old Mr. Morgan died. The cheer
ful manner IL which she bore her subse-
Quent poverty is, as Mr.. Benham says,
proof Of an unusually noble character.
Now, we have invented an excuse that
we want q nursery governess, for she is
too proud to stay IS a mere pensioner,
and her aunt has consented TO the ar
rangement, saying that it Is sin to bury
Bessie among the hills"
Almost every week dropped in for an
hour or so OF an evening at the Bowles',
and as l became better acquainted with
Bessie / more than endorsed my old
friends encomiums. In short, was as
much charmed with her attractions Of
mind and manner az I had been st first
by her sylvan grace and beauty. Very
soon found myself iE love; and when
some six months later / told her of it,
l was overioyed to hear her confess that
my passion was returned.
was now the happiest man in the
county. Out OF my defeat had come the
clements of success. By It had won
reputation and a love-oh, the pures.,
the sweetest, the best. I pictured to
myself home. humble and poor, but so
bright and coy, the abode OF content and
happiness
One day IN the following summer
was in the clerks Office searching some
old records, when l came upon a page
that almost took my breath away. After
reading 1t carefully closed the book and
returned to my Office
Tho next day Simon Skaggsw was served
with summons to answer a suit of
ejectmeht, in the name Of Elizabeth
Morgan, for all the real property held BY
him. winch he claimed as hen-at- law OF
the late James Morgan; and great was
the excitement IL the village when It was
known that this suit was begun what
could t meant asked everybody.
l told no one Even to Bessie only
that thought / saw q
chance to recover; but was careful lot
10 appear too sangulne-
In two months the circuit court came
on Again the court was crowded The
excitement was even greater than it had
been before / had prepared no brief.
Not even memorandum or book did ]
carry to court.
Morgan Us. Stages" called the clerk.
WHO appears for the platntiffi" said