Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-22

WNNAMAN
OdhJeu arose and read the petition of
Leon.
building and which actually shocked
one-half its occupants. for 1t was rec
ognized as that OF Jewett. and as the
whispering froze upon the lips of the
Quillebert party and Pratjean's coun-
tenance confessed to a feeling that he
had made q fool OF himself Oakfell
walked in with Jewett. Baldouino and
Father Grbe. He held in his hand but
one volume, the civil code OF Louisi-
ana. and his companions had neither
books nor documents He satisfacto-
rily explained his hardness, and the
Judge directed the trial to proceed be-
fore him, neither party having prayed
for the assistance of a jury.
Are the parties. plaintiff and de-
PENDANT, presentT' inquired the Judge.
The plaintiff is present by attor-
ney," said Oakfell.
And the defendant is present by at
torney and in person." responded Pratt
jean, with special emphasis on the
words 'in person" and g scornful
glance at Oakfell. which was greeted
by a whispered AYE, vi VII" from the
left
THAT is sufficient. Read your plead
ings, gentlemen" requested the Judge.
Oakfell arose and read the petition
of Leon. 1t was concise and perfectly
plain, reciting merely that the plaintiff
was born the slave Of Fabian Quey-
rouze. deceased, and was inherited by
the heirs of said Queyrouze: that for
the period of ten years, with the kuowl-
edge OF his masters. he was suffered TO
enjoy freedom within the state and
thereby became free man In virtue of
the article 35l0 OF the civil code; that
after the expiration Of said prescriptive
period the defendant Constant guile
bert 10y deceit obtained control of
plalntin's person and unlawfully de-
prived him Of his liberty until the in
stitution of this suit falsely claiming
TO be his master. The petition con
cluded with the prayer that the plain
tin should be judicially declared and
recognized a free man and released
from the custody and dominion OF the
defendant.
jointed way the answer of Quillebert.
1t denied that the plaintiff had ever en-
joyed freedom by the permission of
any person entitled to his services and
asserted that, having by his own ad-
mission been born a slave and never
emancipated In the manner and form
provided by tie laws or the state prior
to 1857. he was without right to sue
and stand In Judgment In the courts OF
the state. and hence the answer prayed
that the plaintiffs. demand be rejected.
1t was apparent to all professional
minds that Pratjean's plea was drawn
far more artfully and skillfully than
was Oakfelrs petition and opposed diff
ficulties OF technical kind which
would scarcely have been anticipated
to demand so simple as Icons.
At the conclusion OF the reading Oak
fell said:
Zone OF my witnesses is an old lady
who has never been within q court of
justice and shrinks from appearing in
open court before an audience compos-
ed entirely of men. / ask the consent
Of the other side to have her testimony
taken before your honor In chambers"
II refuse consent" snapped Pratjean,
Drawing the indignant glances directed
upon him by the judge and every other
respectable man in the courtroom. MY
client has received no courtesies from
the other side, and for him insist
You need proceed no further. sir: the
request is withdrawn" said Oakfen.
At his instance Jewett left the court
room and in a moment returned escort
ing Mrs. Wyley and her son Binker, on
whose arm she leaned.
At first she seemed greatly agitated
and dazed by the strange surroundings,
but the assuring words Of the Judge
the presence of her brave and devoted
son and her Unborn Dutch good sense
soon restored her equanlmity. The
narration she gave of the coming of
Leon 10 her, his life under her keeping,
his inveiglement by Quillebert and the
latter's oral reply to the written in
curry concerning the boys detention
was so circumstantial, direct and evil
IDENTIFY truthful that Pratjean shrewdly
realized the peril Of venturing upon his
favorite mode of cross examination and
ulSAnisSeu neT WIN Out rev questions
fairly and politely put. He greatly re-
GREETED he had forced her to testify in
open court.
Oakfell produced the records show
Ing the settlement OF the Queyrouze
estate with the French heirs, and omit
ting any price for Leon from the pro-
ceeds OF the sale OF slaves, and the
deed, Joined in by Quillebert, for Olive |
and her three children, excepting Leon
from the sale.
BY Father Grhe and Valsin Mouillot |
he proved the admission Of Quillebert
made at unsuspicious times. that Leon
was not his slave.
On the part OF Quillebert, Pratjesn
ezhi6ited the inventory. Of the ouex.