Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-01-03

was very much surprised, out, after
moments hesitation, said with dignity:
"Come up to the house, please. will
consult my aunt. DOM, Tip-down,
| sir"
The dog ceased barking at this com
mand and trotted quietly ahead, offered
TO take the jar but she declined with the
composure of 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 mo-
ment," she disappeared, returning some
quarter OF an hour later, dressed in be
coming blue muslin and with the
dsintiest 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 soy 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.
The next day l filed the document in
the office OF the county clerk, aud gave
notice TO Skaggs that on the following
/ Monday ! should move that it be admit
ted to the probate.
But here new difficulty presented it
self. In our anxiety to find the claimant
we had utterly overlooked the attesting
witness.
Immediately went to Bowles and stat
| ed the difficulty.
"Ah!' said he, "why have you not
thought of this beforeY
"Do you know these witnesses?" said l.
"Yes, 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 I'm a sinner, squire,
this other witness is dead. William
Jacksong Yes-I remember him. He
moved to Texas, and died year ago"
Then it's ali up. We can't get along
without both Witnesses. Are You sure
that Jackson is deadY"
''l am certain sure. He has o brother
living in this town, who received letter
from the family in Texas at the time os
his death. There is no doub about it,"
"Then we may as well drop the matter
at once. The law of this state requires
che evidence of two witnesses, and makes
no provision for the'death of one"
at does look rather ugly, if that's the
case" said Bowles. "But let's make a
fight of it-eomethiDg may turn up in
our favor."
My fears proved correct, however. We
made gallant struggle; bDt it was in
vain. My speech, | was told afterwarJ,
was applauded privately by the judge,
though, in his official capacity, he felt
compelled 10 decide against me. | re-
MEMBER that | spoke from full heart
of the injustice of refusing to receive a
will which every body knew TO be that of
Morgan, merely because one of the wit
nesses had died.
sit is the law we are called on to ad
minister here" said the judge from the
bench, "not what you or | may think,
Mr.. Attorney, if equity. And you know
as we'll as | do, for you are good law
yer, that it takes two witnesses to prove
a will"
Bot the case was not without its benefit
to me, professionally. My 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 un
usually intelligent. She had received
! quite good educatioo, too, before old
Mr.. Morgap died. The cheerful manner
in which she bore her subsequent power
ty is as Mrs. Benham says, proof of an
unusually noble character. Now, we have
invented an excuse that we want a nurs
cry governess, for she is too proud to
stay "a mere pensioner, and her aunt
has con sented to the arrangement, say
! ing that it is a sin to bury Bessie among
the hills"
Almost every week, dropped in for
| an hour or so of an evening at the Bowls
and as became better acquainted with
| Bessie, | more than endorsed my old
! friends encomiums. In snort, | was as
much charmed with her attractions of
mind and manner as 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, /
was over joyed to hear her confess that
my passion was returned.
| was now the happiest man in the
| county. Out of my defeat had come the
elements of success. By it had won a
reputation aud a love--ob, the pHrest, the
sweetest, the bestl l pictured TO myself
home humble and poor, but so bright
and cosy the abode of contentment and
| happiness.
One day in the following summer, was
| in the clerks nffiee searching some old
records, when , came upon page that
almost took my breath away. After read
| ing 1t carefully | closed the book and re-
| turned TO my office.
The next day Simon Skaggs was served
with summons TO answer suit of eject
! mept, in the name of Elizabeth Morgan,
( for all the real property held by him,
which he claimed as heir-at-law of the
late James Morgan; and great was the ex
/ oitemeut in the village when the suit was
begun. "What could it mean 2" asked
| everybody.
| told no one. Even to Bessie / only
represented that | saw chance 10 re
cover, bus ! was careful not to appear
too ssnguine.
In two months the circuit court came
on. Again the court was crowded. The
excitement was even eater than before.
| had prepared no brief. Not even
memorandum or book did l carry to
court.