The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1894-03-24
SETTLING AN OLD SUIT.
How . Backw0ods Justice In Missouri
Wiped Out \ Boundary.

| How . Backwoods Justice In Missouri
| Wiped Out n Boundary.
Asa Beeson served in the capacity OF
Justice Of the peace in one of the back
counties OF Missouri in the good old
times preceding the war. His knowl-
edge of law was extremely limited.
and he wouldn't have known q man.
damus from an alibi. but he possessed
a fine sense Of justice, and his de-
cisions, though sometimes original,
were usually in favor of the right. and
for the promotion of peace and har-
mony. On one occasion he had on
trial before him q case entitled Hum
ter VS.. Higgins, in which the cause of
dispute was a line fence separating
the farms of the contestants. The
plaintiff was young widow and the
defendant q bachelor, and good
many people, the squire among the
number, felt that it would have been
better for the happiness and pros
perity OF both If they had joined in
matrimony rather than a legal battle.
When the case was called there was an
army of witnesses and a world of evil
dence, and all SO conflicting that it
would have required Solomon to have
rendered just decision. Squire Bee
son listened, scratched his head and
looked completely puzzled.
This is a case" he said, when the
last witness had testified, ''that stumps
me. and l acknowledge that I'm beat.
Both sides has proved every pint set
up, and both has disproved everything
proved by each other. The evidence is
Jest standoff all round, an I'll be
hanged If forty Philadelphia lawyers
could make out which is right and
which is wrong. Now, as understand
this matter, the whole question is
which Of you two parties owns six
foot strip OF land lying between your
two farms. The line between the 70
farms has been surveyed and located
dozen times first by one party and
then the other, an no two of them
surveys has put the line in the same
place. Now, believe this matter has
been in dispute good many years in
the courts an out, an that it has been
uCCAuCA uOLcA pAluCS Ouo way I'LL aus
other, but that SO far nobody has been
satisfied an nothin' like settlement
has been reached. How am l goin' to
decide this matter when the surveyors
can't agree on the line and the courts
amt never been able to agree on the
ownership of the land? An what good
would it do il l did decide when the
one decided agin' would go right to
work to git new hearin'?"
Neither of the interested parties
made any answer and after q short
pause the squire went on.
TITS we'll known to me-" he said,
''that neither of you two amt respon-
sible for this lawin', because neither
of you started it. It was begun by
your fathers way back years ago, an
I'm Of the opinion that you both, in
your hearts, wish you were done with
it. But can tell you now you will
never git done with it by lawn over
it. 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 spec
tacles, and looked very hard at the
disputants Directly he resumed:
"Yet this matter can be settled" no
said, IAN this court feels that 1t is her
duty to settle it. She don't presume
to say who is right nor who is wrong,
nor whar the division line between
the farms ought to be. That wouldn't
settle nothin' II she did. Thar is bet
ter an more sensible way O. gettin'
at this business. My decision is that
thar shant be no division line no more.
an that the two farms shall be consol-
idated into one."
The contestants looked at the squire
in amazement and almost a minute
passed in perfect silence. Finally Rig
gins gasped: Consolidate the two
farms into one! How can that BIZ man
aged?''
''Jest as easy as fallin' of log.
All you have to do is to stan up yere
afore me bout ten seconds an I'll
have it fixed. I'll make you man an
wife, an then Their won't need to be
no line between the farms. Come, that
is my decision"
THAT we must marry?'' Higgins
asked.
Exactly" the squire replied.
''But-Mra Hunter-I" higgins
stammered.
Its all right with both of you" the
squire interrupted. II know it If you
don't Come, stan up, or I'll fine you
for contempt"
The contestants exchanged glance
and each saw what it was in the heart
of the other. They stood up, beaming
with happiness, and were married.
There was no appeal from Squire Bee.
sons decision aud no further lawing.-
N. Y. Tribune.