Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-11-10
aYes.I know them. JON Jones

"Yes, know them. JON Jones
lived as q tenant on the old nan
farm at the time of his death tie
now lives about ten miles out on The
Lancaster road. And, As certain as
am a sinner, squire, this other wit
ness is dead. William JACKSON
Yes-I remember him. He moved
to Texa. and died a year ago.
"Then it's al nj. We cant get
along without both witnesses, Are
you sure that Jackson is dead q
al am certain sure. He has bro
Their living in this town who received
| a letter from the family IN Teves At
| the time OF his death. There is no
doubt about it,
"Then we may as well drop the
matter at once. The law Of this
state requires the evidence of two
witnesses, and makes no provision
for the death osone."
at does look rather ugly, i that's
the case,n said Bewles, "But lets
make fight OF it--something may
turn up in our favor"
Ny fears proved correct, however.
We made a 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 compelled to decide
against me. remember that spoke
from a full heart Of the injustice OF
refusing to receive will which every
body knew to be that OF Morgan
merely because one Of the witnesses
died.
"It is the law we are called on to
administer here,' said the judge
from the bench, mot what you or !
may think, Mr.. Attorney, is equity.
And you know as well as ! do, for
you are good lawyer, that it takes
two witnesses to prove will.
But the case was not without ben
eft to me professionally. My speech
had made an impression on the pub
I lie, and business now began to pour
in.
NV fair client still remained at my
friend Bowles'. "My eldest daugh-
ter has come to love her as sister"
he said "Bessie, as you must have
| seen, is unusually intelligent. She
had received quite good education,
too, before old Mr.. Morgan died.
The cheerful manner in which she
bore her subsequent poverty is, as
Mr.. Benham says, a proof OF an I'M
! usual noble character. Now, we have
invented an excuse that we want a
nursery governess, for she is too
proud to stay as mere pensioner,
and her aunt has consented to the
| arrangement, saying that it is sin
to bury Bessie among the hills"
Almost every week I dropped in
for an hour or SO of an evening at
the Bowles', and as 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 as I had been at first by her
sylvan grace and beauty. Very soon
| / found myself in love; and when
some six months later / told her Of
| it, I was overjoyed to hear her con
fess that my passion was returned
| was now the happiest man in the
county. Out of my defeat bid come
the elements OF success. BY it I had
won reputation and loye--oh,
the purest, the sweetest, the best
pictured to myself home, humble
and poor, but so bright and cozy,
the abode of content and happiness.
One day in the following summer
/ was in the clerks Office searching
some old records, when came upon
a page that almost took my breath
away. After reading it carefully
closed the book and returned to my
office.
The next day Simon Skagcs was