St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-06-03

she said. T-1 only wish she had on a
prettier dress"
"Oh, you'll" screamed the widow. 81
know you. You are as weak as your
father was. But I'll strengthen you as /
used to strengthen him. I'll send for
my lawyer. Well see whether Justice
is the woman they figure her to be. I'll
send for little Mr.. Phibbs. And oh, my
dear child, be firm. Remember your
wrongs; try to be like me-" But Sophia
only smiled, and was silent.
Little Mr.. Phibhs came, and the next
day Alfred Nevalls was served with
writ of habeas corpus requiring him to
have the body of one Mary Nevalls, an
infant, by him alleged to be unlawfully
detained, together with the cause of he,
detention, before the Hon. Samuel Bad
ger, Justice of the Supreme Court, at his
chambers on the following Saturday.
When this was served by Phibbs, Jr. 4,
who exhibited the County Clerks seal
and the Endorsement of the Judge on
the original with the air of veteran,
Hugh whistled and murmured, II
thought So, and Mr. Nevalls swore. A
moment later and he despatched his clerk
in hot haste in quest of his attorney, the
vigorous Abel Burgess.
Saturday morning, bright and early,
the Widow Tracey occupied Judge Bad
gers front office. Little Mr.. Phibbs,
smiling and sparkling, was in her train,
and so was Sophia, silent, distract, with
heaving bosom and twitching lips. The
widow shifted curiously at the unopened
letters on the desk, and regarded the
black and red labelled law books with
suspicion and disdain. AS why should
she not who was law unto herself? So
phia sighed. And little Mr.. Phibbs
twirlcd his glasses, consulted his watch,
and mentally calculated bill of costs.
Little Mary arrived in charge of stall
wart nurse, backed by the faithful Hugh,
and then there was commotion. The
widow sobbed and raised her hands in
eloquent appeal. She threw herself on
her knees before the child and strained
her to her breast. And the stalwart
nurse said "Humph," which meant
great deal more, and Hugh unconsciously
twisted his moustaches into similarity
with the German tenors. But little
Mary stretched out her arms to her
mother, who quietly crossed the room
and took her on her lap, nor did the
guardian twain offer any opposition.
The widow, being thus relieved,
turned her attention to her male foe
whom she recognized, despite his sedate
attire. In piercing tones she den ounced
him as spy, an assassin, petroleuse-
this latter confidently with contempt of
gender. She dared him to deny his viii
lainy, which he made no attempt to do,
and demanded of the two court officers
in waiting his instant seizure and i'm
AS these two representatives
of the dormant side of the law were
political associates of Hugh's. and lived
in the same ward, they merely grinne1
and occasionally commanded silence.
Mr.. Justice Badger entered from his
private office, and bowling stif1ly, seated
himself at his desk, and began to fuss
with his papers. Presently Alfred Ne
walls, in company with Abel Burgess,
ESQ.,, and great armful of legal tonnes,
entered.
Alfred saluted his wife gravely and
seated himself on the opposite side of the
room. And poor Sophia bent her head
and kissed little Mary's cheek.
Abel Burgess arose and hitched his
coat collar.
"May it please your Honor" he said,
eve waive certain objections to the suffi-
cheney of the petition and to the form of
the writ. We produce here with the
child and file our return alleging that
we are her lawful guardian and entitled
to her custody"
"We traverse that return, your Honor,H
replied little Mr.. Phibbs briskly. "And
shall show that the defendant is an i'm
proper and dangerous person for such
charge, by reason of dissolute habits,
atheistic views, and violent temper"
"Good, good" cried the widow, but
Sophia looked toward her husband with
tear-flled eyes as if protesting, Il don't
believe him."
Then you must take the Affirmative"
growled Abel Burgess.
"Softly, my friend; we shall see about
that" breathed little Mr.. Phibbs. Aud
hammer and tongs, gently and insinuat-
ingly the twain argued and reargued,
the one citing uLanswerable cases, the
other quoting indisputable statutes.
Finally Mr.. Justice Badger, who had
sat like one in a reverie with his eyes
liked on little Mary, raised his hand and
he discussion ceased.
can application of this nature" he
said, "appeals to the equitable side of
he court. There is but one view to be
and that is the welfare of
his interesting little girl. To insure
his, I can deliver her into the care of
Ter father, of her mother, or of any third
person." (there Sophia sobbed,) 'but be-
ore entering upon an investigation
which seems likely to be acrimonious,
md to deepen unhappy differences, l
wish to hear from the one who, after all,
las the most at stake. Come to me,
title one, won't you? don't be afraid"
Little Mary slid from her mothers lap,
nd climbed quite courageously on the
udge's knee.
Tell me how old you are, my dear2''
"Nearly Uneven, Sir"
s'And do you love your papa?"
"My papa and my dear mamma"
"And would you like to stay always
With your papa and have him take care
# you2"
"With my papa and my dear mamma.
want bofe of dem together"
Sophia's head was bowed; her tears
we're dropping on her distracted bosom.
Hired crossed the room and stood by
is wife's side.
"Oh, why did you leave me?" he whis
cred, land why did you return? You
new it would make me angry"
I'll hoped it would; for then ]
7ould surely see you"
"Therp there" said :Judpe Radce,