The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-05-25

Mr.. DoK10N HEARTILY GREETED US.
gether and permitted to read the pa
per, the judge adding some comments
in low voice. AS they returned to
their seats, I saw Mr.. Garnett's face
wreathed with smiles.
"You're safe," he whispered.
looked at Conrad. The face of the
tiend never shone out more plainly in
human countenance than in his. as
his lawyer communicated to him the
startling news.
II have been made acquainted with
such additional and surprising disclos-
ures," said the judge, IN voice which
the whole room heard, cas- make it, in
my Judgment, both proper and nee
essary to end this case here, so far as
relates to the charge of abduction of a
slave. The gentleman who has Just
come into court is the owner and occu-
pant of the plantation in Mississippi
formerly occupied by the deceased,
Pierce Bostoclz. In secret drawer of
an old bureau left in that house when
ne returned to Louisiana; Mr.. Dorion,
only few days since, found this pa
per. 1t purports to be the last will
and testament of Pierce Bostock, exc
cuted by him December 9, 1858. 1t
frees and manumits the person de-
scribed in it as my beloved daughter
Coralie, child of the late Louise Bou-
tant,' and then proceeds to devise and
oequeath to her all his estate, real and
personal, wherever situated. He names
his unworthy son, Conrad only to
declare that he has by his unfilial con-
duct and his long confirmed evil courses
forfeited all right to any part of the
testators property more than he has
already received"
That instrument has never been
established" Conrad's lawyer inter-
rupted.
Il am aware of that; and it cannot
be, in this court. But there is reason
to think that it can be legally estab-
llshed in the proper tribunal Mr..
Dor1on Pronounces the signature of
f1erce Bostock genuine. There are
three witnesses, as the law of Missis-
slppl requires-an of whom, STRANGELY
enough, are also dead, as Mr.. Dorion
INFORMS me. But he pronounces all
these signatures genuine, and he saws
That numerous witnesses in that vicin-
ity will swear to them.
If this instrument is the LEGAL act
OF the late Mr.. Bostock, not only is
Coralie Bonfaut named in it a free
woman, but she is at this moment the
rlghtful owner of her fathers immense
estate.
whether it will stand in law. or
not, have no authority to decide.
Other courts must settle that question.
And it would be improper and absurd
Tor me to attempt to pass upon the |
charge brought here against Dorr Jew
EFT until this instrument has been
legally examined and prom ounced upon.
I have examined it and considered
it far enough to see that very strong
case can be made for its legality, with
all That would result from it. The |
charge that Is here made is premature,
to say the least; nor do I think that. in
any event, the defendant has been
guilty OF anything more than tech
meal violation Of the statute He is
discharged, also the LADY,
The judge smiled graciouslv upon ms
Mr.. Garnett capered about the bar, and
Mr.. Dorion renewed his greetings.
mingled with congratulations. ne
popular anger had now turned mon
Conrad Bostock, and he and his friends
withdrew by rear door, to escape ba-
ing hustled. The tickle multitude nro.
posed to give me triumphant ride on