Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-11-19
THE FORSYTH WILL CASE.

There are some things the multiple
cation table can't estimate, doctor and
i calculate this case is one of theuIw
The speaker was Texan alcalde Of
half century ago, man with grave,
handsome face and one of those gigantic
antediluvian figures only found In the
bracing atmosphere of the prairie or the
lush freedom of the woods.
1.-THE senorita will help you TO a fair
settlement; she knows her own mind.
Santa Jose! few women know as much"
The doctor gave his opinion decidedly
and in very good English. albeit his
small, yellow person and courtly, dig
nihed manner fully proclaimed his Mex
lean lineage. Then he calmly helped
himself to an olive and glass of cham
berlin, and watched the alcalde as he
smoked and waited for the expected
ayuntamiento, or jury.
In half an hour the twelve men had
dropped in by twos and threes, nodded
coolly to the alcalde, and helped them.
selves to the liquors and cigars on the
sideboard. Now and then they spoke in
monosyllables, and the composure,
gravity and utter absence of hurry gave
kind Of dignified, patriarchal earnest
ness 10 the proceedings that were emf.
nently American, and which quito made
up for the lack of ceremony.
After lapse of five minutes the al
calde touched little bell, and said TO
the negro who answered it,
Zip, tell the gentlemen we are wait
ing, and send lamar for Miss Mary"
THE gentlemen" who were sitting
under a gigantic arbor Vita oak in the
garden in close conversation, rose at
lips message and sauntered slowly into
the presence Of the alcalde, who nodded
rather stiffiy TO them and motioned to-
ward two chairs. They were evidently
men of culture, and brothers. Some OF
the jurors leaned toward them with
courteous salutations. others simply ig-
nored their presence.
But every ones interest was aroused
when the doctor, hearing footstep,
rose, opened the door and offered his
hand to a lady who entered. A calm
browed woman with large, steadfast
eyes-a woman who il was easy to see
could be laSv unto herself.
She looked inquiringly ut the two gen.
tlemen, who We're evidently her brothers,
but finding no response to the unuttered
love in her pleading eyes, dropped them
and calmly took the seat her friend led
her 10.
There was another pause Then the
alcalde laid down his cigar and said:
MEM
Squirrel"
I'VE have got little business to set
tie between David and George Forsyth
and their sister Mary. You are 10 judge
fairly between them, and they are will
ing TO stand by what you say. cAlcu-
late they'll explain their own business
best David Forsyth. viii You speak for
your sidel'
David was keen, shrewd lawyer,
and knew how TO state his case very
plausibly. He said that his father, un-
duly influenced by DR.. Zavala, who had
designs ON their sisters hand, had left
not only the homestead but $50, 900 In
gold to Mary Forsyth, and that they
claimed their share Of the money.
The men listened gravely, with keen,
sidelong glances. When he had finished
one Of them said:
Very good, stranger. Now what do
you mean by 'unduly infuencedY
~ mean that this Mexican passed
whole days with my father. reading TO
him, talking 10 him, and in other ways
winning his affection in order to infu-
ence him in the making Of his will"
''How much did old Forsyth leave DIR.
Zavalag'
He left him personally nothing.
but
"ohr-the men nodded gravely at one
another.
But said David angrlly, che had
deeper scheme than that. He induced
my father TO turn everything but his
homestead into money, and TO place the
whole sum in the San Antonio bank to
Mary's credit. We have no objections
10 Mary's having her share, but we do
not see why our share should 60 10 that
Mexican whom she intends to marry"
The doctor smiled sarcastically, and
Mary, blushing with Indignation, half
rose as II TO speak, but slight move
ment Of Zayalas eyelids was sufficient
to check the impulse
Then Mary Forsyth is going to mar
~ DIR. Zavalay'
.'Of course she is"
And you are willing that she should
have the homestead and SIC, 0O0T'
We are willing she should have the
use Of the homestead for a moderate
rent We are not willing TO give up all
claim 10 1t. Why, there are 300 acres Of
the finest cotton land In the world thai
90 with it. II she had the entire right
70 the homestead she ought TO give M
the money"
Mr.. George Forsyth, what have yo,
TO sayY'
Ny brother David has spoken foi
me-"
Then there was pause. The pro
cnrador stepped to the sideboard and
nlled his glass; several of the jury fol.
lowed him, and the others chewed away
with silent, thoughtful intentness.
DIR. Lorenzo Zavala, win you speak
for the defendant"
The doctor turned his chair 80 as 70