The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-08-20
acme sylvan goddess with which she bore

/ nOmeSDun ana wore HeltneT bnOcS uOf
stockings. / forgot altogether the homeli-
ness Of her apparel in the grace of her
movements, the exquisite contour of her
| figure, ana the beauty of her expressive
face, which was now mantling with
bushes. 4 small dog, apparently self
constituted protector, barked at me flu.
riously as advanced, hat in hand; for
intutively l knew this must be my client
Ny client it was / lost no time in
explaining the object Of my visit. She
was very much surprised; but after a
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
mand, and trotted quietly ahead. | Of
fered to take the jar, but she declined
with the composure of a queen.
When she had introduced me to Mrs
Benham and said, This gentleman,
aunt, has something very strange to
tell you, and | will leave you with him
for moment" she disappeared, return
ing some quarter of an hour later dressed
in a becoming suit Of blue muslin and
with the daintiest of slippers on her
pretty feet. / had meantime produced
the will and given details of the manner
in which it was found.
Not to dwell too long on this prelude
to my story, will say briefly that my
client and started the next morning for
Kent, and were met at the depot by
Bowles and his daughter, who relieved
me Of my charge, while l went to my
boarding house for supper and thence to
my room.
Next day | filed the document in the
Office Of the county clerk and gave no
tice to Skaggs that on the following
Monday | should move that it be adj
mitted to probate
But here new difficulty presented IT.
self In our anxiety to find the claimant
we had utterly overlooked the attesting
witnesses.
| Immediately went to Bowlas and
stated the difficulty.
"Ah!" said he, "why have we not
thought OF this before?'
DO You know these Witnesses said l.
Eyes, ! know them. Tom Jones lived
rs tenant on the old mans farm at the
time Of his death. He now lives about
ten miles ont on the Lancaster road.
And, as certain as I'm 4 sinner. squire,
this other witness is dead William
Jackson Yes-I remember him. He
moved to Texas and died a year ago."
"ThoH it's all up. We can't get along
without both witnesses. Are you sure
that jackson is dead!'
Il am certain sure. He has a brother
living IN this town who received letter
from the family in Texas at the time of
his death. There is no doubt about it.
"Then we may 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 death of one"
ut does look rather ugly, if that's the
case" said Bowles. But let's make
fight of something may turn up in
our favor"
My fears proved correct, however. We |
made gallant struggle, but it was in
vain. My speech, | was told afterwards, |
was applauded privately by the judge, |
though in his official capacity he felt
to decide against me. re-
that | spoke from q full heart
of the injustice of refusing to receive a
will which everybody knew to be that Of
Morgan merely because one of the wit
nesses died.
lit is the law we are called ON to adj
minister here, " said the judge from the
bench, mot what you or | may think,
Mr.. Attorney, Is equity. And you know
rs well rs | do, for YOU are good law
yer, that 1T takes two witnesses to prove
a will"
But the case was not without its bene-
lit 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
riend Bowles'. My eldest daughter
las come TO love her as a sister" he
aid. bessie, as YOU must have seen,
) unusually intelligent. She had re-
'eived quite good education, too, be-
ore old MIR. Morgan died The cheer
ul manner in which she bore her subse-
luent poverty is, as Mr.. Benham says, a
roof of an unusually noble character.
Vow, we have invented an excuse that
We want nursery governeSs, for she is
90 proud to stay as a mere pensioner
nd her aunt has consented TO the ar
saying that it is sin to bury
iessie among the hills.
Almost every week dropped in for an
our or so of an evening at the Bowles',
nd as | became better acquainted with
Bessie | more than endorsed my old
nend'S encomiums. In short, | was as
much charmed with her attractions of
nlnd and manner as had been at first
y her sylvan grace and beauty. Very
BON l found myself in love; and when
ome six months later | told her of it,
was overjoyed to hear her confess that
~ passion was returned.
/ was now the happiest man in the
ounty. Out of my defeat had come the
ements of success. BY it had won a
eputation and love-oh, the purest,
lc sweetest, the best! l pictured TO
lyself home, humble and poor, but so
right and coy, the abode of content and