Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-10-05

many left that ! do not think that it
would greatly matter. hope that every
body will understand my position, and
extend their consideration to me"
every well, said the Judge, and with
out further ado she took off the cloak
and the silk handkerchief beneath it, and
stood before the court dressed in Il low
black dress.
II am afraid that | must ask you to
come up here said his lordship. Ac-
cordinglv she walked round mounted the
bench, and turned her back to the judge,
in order that he might examine what was
written on it. This he did very carefully,
with the aid of magnifying glass, re-
ferring now and again to the Photographic
copy which DR.. Probate had filed in the
registry.
Thank you, he said, presently; chat
will do. | am afraid that the learned
counsel below will wish to have an oppor
tunity of inspection"
So Augusta had to descend. and slowly
walk along the ranks stopping before
every learned leader to be carefully OK
amincd while hundreds of eager eyes in
the background were fixed upon her I'M
fortunate shoulders. However, at last it
came TO an end.
THAT will do, Miss Smithcrs," said the
Judge, for whose consideration she felt
deeply grateful; 'you can put on your
cloak again now" Accordingly she
clothed herself, and re-cntercd the box.
"Thc document which you have Just
shown the court, Miss Smithcrs," said
James, lis the one which was executed
upon your back in Kerguolen Land on or
about the 22d day of December, last
YEAR,
1T is"
at was, l understand, executed in the
presence of the tcstator and the two at
testing witnesses, all three being present
together, and the signature of each being
tattooed in the presence of the othcr?"
at was
"Was the tcstator, so far rs YOU could
Judge a; the time of the dictation and
execution of the will. of sound mind,
memory and understanding"
"Most certainly he was"
DID you. beyond the suggestions Of
which You have already given evidence, in
any way unduly influence the testator's
mind. SO as to induce him to make this
will?'
Il did not"
And to those facts you swear"
81 do
Then he passed on to the history Of the
death of the two sailors who had attestcd
the will, and to the account of Augusta's
ultimate rescue, finally closing his exam
nation in chief just as the clock struck
four whercon the court adjourned till the
following day.
AS may be imagined, though things had
gone fairly well SO far nobody concerned
of our party passed an uncomfortable
night The STRAIN was too great to ad-
NIT of it, and really they were all glad to
find themselves in the coult-whch was,
if possible, even more crowded on the
following moming-fillcd with the hope
that the day might see the matter decided
one way or the other.
As soon as the judge had come in Au-
gusta resumed her place in the witness
box and the attorney general rose to
cross examine her.
You told the court, Miss Smithers at
the conclusion of your evidence, that you
are now engaged to be married to Mr.
Meeson, the plaintiff. Now, am sorry
to have to put apersonal question to you,
but must ask YOU, were you, at the time
of the tattooing of the will, in love with
No. Mceson:'
This was a home thrust, and poor Au-
Eusta colorcd up beneath it, however, her
A"VlNo WIZ 'aulc ~ llcl "lu'
IF you will define, sir, what being in
love is, will do my best to answer your
question, she said. Nhercat the audi
cnce, including his lordship, smiled.
The attorney general looked puzzled,
as well he might. for there are some
things which are beyond the learning of
even an attorney general.
"Well, he said, were you matrimo-
nially inclined toward Mr.. Mecson?'
surely, Mr., Attorney General, said
the Judge, "the one thing docs not ncces-
sari!!y include the other,
II bow to your lordship's experience,
said Mr. Attorney, tartly. "Pcrhaps
had better put my question this way
Had You, at that time, amy prospect OF be
coming engaged TO the plaintitf?'
None whatever"
"iiid you submit to this tattoong
which must have been painful, with 9
Wow Of becoming engaged to the plain
tiff
"Ccrtainly not. l may point out," sh,
added, with hesitation, THAT such & dis
tigrcmcnt is not likely 20 DCd to an"
body, attractions"
Please answer my nNC-ti Cps Mis-,