New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-17

and all the rest of IT, I shouldn't have to stand
here all these hours to claim my rights.
A murmur OF approval passed round 'he
You said" Mr. Gringle continued. referring
to some notes. that you supposed yourself 10
be about thirty -hve." ,.
yes people tell me look about that can
see myself so can't tell. but | seem 70 nave
been knocking about good many years
"By the dates you have given OF the different
events In your ife you are not quite th'r'y
years OF age.
That's as may be- I reckon If you'd lived out
In the bush with nothing to mark the time be-
twixt one year and another. you'd get precious
muddled as to a year or TWO more or less.
lust So But az 1t is ffty-four years since
John Chiffon. your assumed father left ms
home his son, If he had one would probably De
over fifty now" 80,
well. he might. always supposing that he did
marry that girl he took away with him, ana not
some 'one else later on.
ION that poin; | am able 10 sailsiy ' W
Since the Court rose yesterday continued Ar
GrIngle addressing the Court, Il nave come
into possession Of copy Of the marriage certlII-
cate of John Chiffon. and by telegram Just re-
ceived | find the original IL In existence III tue
registers of the Parish Church. Of Edmonton
Mr. GringIe then proceeded to read aloud;
October Is. 1S-, John Chiffon, bachelor, aged
twenty-two son Of John Chiffon, gentleman, ana
Margaret Chalmers. spinster. aged eighteeh
daughter Of Joseph Chalmers. deceased Ihomas
Chadwick officiating minister DuZZ OF eN-
element rose. lii,
Of paper with interest, and in turn IL circulated
through the hands of the jury. The opposing
counsel was about to interpose when the PAIN
tiff went
wen it's very considerable of you to have
taken all this trouble; it's most obliging, Tor IL
seems to me it's all in my favor III these mar
riage lines are genuine. can't have much more
to prove. 1,,,,.
"Except that YOU are :he son Of John Chilton
and Margaret Chalmers" rojoined Mr.. Gringie
drily; "in that case this evidence OF their mar
rage would be Of Importance; as 1t Is 1t Is
ra Their the first link of chain against you.
well now | should like TO know what you
are driving att" and the gold digger looked
round with his customary expression or pleas
ing candor. a.
II have proved John Chiltcn's marriage fifty
four years ago. continued Mr.. Grlngle, still
addressing the Court, and ! can produce evil
dence to show that he died ten years later.
which substantially dsproves the plaintiffs
claim since it is hardly within the bounds OF
possibility that he is forty-four years old You
may stand down." pursued Mr.. Gringle abruptly
turning to the claimant.
The gold digger" stared with genuine as
constituent at Mr.. Gringle. DO you mean -
he began. but his counsel interfered
The evidence strangely brought TO lght.
he might say. with such a dramatic effect, by
his learned brother would OF course require
strict investigat ton. and
Mr.. Gringle interrupted.
II propose calling two witnesses. ana AFTER
their examination shall be quite ready TO con-
cur with my learned friend in applying for an
adjournment. which will afford him the neces-
sary opportunities for verifying the evidence
now brought forward. Call Mary Chiffon.
II the Court had been reused before 1t was
electrified at this juncture. People stood on tip
toe. elongating their necks to look over or be-
tween the heads OF persons in front Of them.
Those who were in favorable position saw
nervous-l looking lady. Of perhaps nifty years or
age. with gray curs fastened back by a side
comb either side Of her face assisted into
the witness-box and the oath duly admins
tered
A deep hush ensued. in the general anxiety
to hear the witnesses answers. and when In
reply TO Mr.. Grnge's queries. she began: MY
name is Mary Chiffon. I the only surviving
child Of John Californian electric wave OF in
terest thrilled the whole Court.
From Miss Chilton's evidence, supplemented
by extracts from an old diary. il appeared that
John Chiffon on leaving his fathers house had
travelled with Margaret Chalmers toward Lon
don. stopping at Edmonton. where old nurse
who had formerly lived with the Chtons
sided In her he left Maggie while making
arrangements for their marriage and subse-
quent voyage to America. Arrived in the New
World. all his projects failed. The little money
he had was soon spent. and though he worked
hard at any kind Of work he could get. they
were often in want Of the barest necessities of
life Two children who born died. evil
IDENTIFY in consequence of the priva atoms they
suffered. and this at length humbed John
Chilton's pride. and he and his wife wrote duti-
full letters 10 the Squire entreatng his forgive
ness: they also wrote TO the rector Of the
parish. the Rev. Mr.. Joynson, begging his
mediation.
No answer came from the Squire but letter
was received from Mr. Joynson. inclosing drafts
for 400. being. he said. legacy left to Maggie
by Mrs Chiffon. who had died some months
previously. Mr.. JoynsOn added that he thought
there were indications that the Squire would
relent and accept his sons submission.
On receipt Of this money John Chiffon and his
wife determined % return to England, and
sailed from New-York. The sailing vessel in
which they took their passage was driven out
Of her course by stress of weather, and IT was
only after tedious voyage that they arrived
in London They then repaired to Edmonton,
where they stayed with the old nurse Mrs.
Burrell. and where shortly afterward a little
daughter was born. the present Miss Chiffon.
AS soon as John Chiffon could leave his wife.
he started off 10 return home intending at least
to see his friend the rector. and take his advice
on the propriety Of seeking an interview with
the Squire.
Here the diary abruptly stopped. only short
notes Of facts and date occurring at distant in
tervals but there were various papers and let
tiers. Mr.. Gringle said by which, and by the evil
dence of another witness he was about 10 call, the
gap could to some extent be filled in.
1t would seem that John Chiffon had reached
small market town within few miles of Chiffon
Hall when he encountered part of funeral
train and learned to his horror that it was his
father who had that day been buried. Not being
recognized by any one, he had further heard all
the coarse gossip Of the countryside; that his
cousin. Robert Thornton. heir to everything
by his fathers will. and not only was he himself
dsinherited. but that the squire had laid an
awful curse on his son"
Crushed by this sudden downfall of all his
hopes. he returned to Edmonton in a raging fever,
which Frustrated him for months. IL was after
this that the Chtons went to Dawlish where
Mrs. Burrell had some relations. hoping that
change Of air would restore John Chiffon TO
health. He however. remained a helpless in
valid. and. until his wife found an opening for
her artistic talents they were altogether depend
ent on the charity of the kind-hearted Burrells
as later they We're helped by DR.. Forsters family.
The reading OF these extracts and explanations
had not taken very long. and Mr.. Gringle was
about to call his second witness. Mr.. Forster
when telegram was handed up to him.
1t announced the discovery Of John Chilton's