The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-09
Settling an Old Suit.

Asa Beeson served in the capacity Of JUS
tice Of the peace in one Of the back counties
Of Missouri in the good old times preceding
the war says the New York Tribune. His
ne Wouldn have known mandamus from an
alinl. but he possessed fine sense Of justice,
and his decisions though sometimes original,
were usually in favor Of the right and for
the promotion Of peace and harmony. On one
occasion he had on trial before him case
entitled Hunter vs.. higgins. in which the
cause OF dispute was line fence separating
the farms Of the contestants The plaintiff
was young widow and the defendant a bach
elor and good many people, the squire
among the dumher felt that it would have
feen better for the happiness and prosperity
OF potn II they had Joined in matrimony rather
than legal battle. When the case was called
there was an army Of witnesses and world
OF evidence, and all so conflicting that IL
would have required Solomon TO have rem
dered Just decision. Squire Beeson lis
tened, scratched his head and looked com
pletely puzzled.
This is a case he said. when the last wit
ness had testified that stumps me, and l
acknowledge that l m beat. Both sides has
proved every pin set up, and both sides mas
dlsproved everything proved by each other.
The evidence is lest "a standOf all round, an
III hanged il forty Philadelphia lawyers
could make out which is right, and which is
wrong. Now, as l understand this matter the
whole question is, which Of you two parties
owns SIX foot strip OF land lying between
your two farms he line between the two
farms has been surveyed md 10 lated a dozen
times. nrst by one party and then the ether,
IN no two of them surveys has put the line in
the same place. Now 1 believe this matter
has been in dispute good many years in the
courts an out, an that 1t has teen decided
dozen times one way an another hut that so
lar no Ody has been satisfied an uotnln Ike
a settlement has been reached. HOW am l
gOin' to decide this matter when the survey
ors cant agree on the line, and the courts
ain never been able to agree on the owner
WOUll III
II did decide when the one l decided again
would go right to work to git a new hearin':H
Neither Of the interested parties made any
answer. and alter short pause the squire
went on.
ITS well known to me" he said. that
neither of you two amt RESPONSIBLE for this
lawn because neither OF you started it. 1t
was begun by your fathers way back years
ago an / m OF the opinion that you both, in
your hearts, wish you were done with it. But
l can tell you now you will never git done
with II by lawn over 1t. Never in the world,
for no courts Will ever settle on the ownership
O. that siX-foOt strip o. ground
The squire paused, put on his spectacles,
and looked very hard at the dlsputants. Di-
rectly he resumed:
Yet this matter can be settled, he said
an this court feels that 1t is her duty TO set
tie II. she don't presume TO say who is right
nor who Is wrOLz, nor what the division line
tetweeu the farms ought to be. That wouldn t
settle nothin if she did. Thar is better an
more sensible way O. getttn at this bust
III -. MY decision Is JudJ 50af SndQ De no
division line no more, an that the two farms
shall be consolidated into one"
The contestants looked at the squire in
amazement, and almost minute passed in
perfect silence. Finally higgins gasped
Consolidate the two farms into one! How
can that Ue managed"
Jest as easy as fallin OF a log All you
have to do is to stan up afore me bout ten
seconds an III bave it fixed. I'll make you
man an wife an then Their won't need to &c
no line between the farms, Come, that is my
decision
That we must marry" Higgins asked.
Exactly" the sure replied.
BIT - Mrs. Hunter Il" higgins STAN
mered
1t all right with both of you 50 the squire
interrupted. I know it If you don't. Come
stan up. or III fine you for contempt"
The contestants exchanged a glance. and
each saw what was in tho heart OF the other
They stood up, beaming with happiness and
were married. There was no appeal from
Squire Beeson decision az no further law
ing,