The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-04-30

Call the plaintiff in the case, Mrs. John
A. La Verne"
A woman dressed in black and heav-
lily veiled stepped majestically down
the aisle and took her seat in the wit
ness chair. That's young Martini
whispered Mrs. Muttsford. Don't he
make a fine girl?"
eve should like said the defend
ants counsel, rising. IF the charming
and beautiful plaintiff in this case
would be so good as to raise her veil
and let us gaze upon her wondrous
| countenance.'
The plaintiff obligingly raised her
veil and fastened it around her hat.
La Verne dropped his cigarette and
sat with his eyes suddenly riveted on
| the witness. His face was white and
those who sat near him noticed how he
| trembled. and commented on his splen-
did acting.
"Your name?" asked Harrison.
'NIrs John A. La Verne"
"Do you know this defenGant?'
asked Harrison, pointing to Mr.. La
/ Verne.
"Yes."
rs he any relation to you?" asked
Harrison. IF so, what?"
''He is my husband, " said the woman,
slowly. La Nerne's lips moved slow
ly. It's lie" he muttered.
Everybody around turned and looked
at him in surprise. His attorney
! I, |, L. 20,
dramatic, La Verne" he whispered.
This is to be just jolly, good natured
fun, you know. Don't make it so Sc
rious"
Did this defendant desert you after
your MARRIAGE" asked Harrison.
'He did, responded the woman on
the stand. HE thought had money.
He married me for it. After a short
year, during which he made the dis
cOvery that | was poor, he treated me
cruelty and then deserted me and my
child" The witness was now leaning
forward and talking rapidly and eX-
citedly. Every eye in the salon was
fastened on her. La Verne sat like a
man paralyzed. But I'll follow him."
she went on. "l'Il have my revenge.
He's going out to the east to take a
high position in the consular service
! of the government. I'll wait until he
has taken his place and been received
in society and then I'll appear and tell
all. Then, when broken and heart
sick, he goes elsewhere, I'll follow him
there and strike him down again. I'll
follow him to the ends of the world,
and if ever he turns his hand against
me I'll shoot him and laugh while he's
gasping for his last BREATH"
The witness had drawn a wicked
little revolver from her pocket and
started to raise it. Then she let it
slide from her lap, and, dropping her
head in her hands, sobbed convulsive-
~
The audience sat breathless while
the big clock over the captains chair
licked as though some one were strik-
ing the table with a hammer. Then
the applause broke out. Men and wom-
en- stood on the chairs and shouted
and clapped their hands. Flowers
were hurled at the weeping plaintiff,
and from all around came such express
sions: "Never saw such acting in nv
life by CAD, that fellows simply
great George, but that is almost
real. Greatest thing I ever heard"
The applause finally died down and
La Verne, pale and calm, was standing
in his place at the table.
MY attorney" he said, sis overcome
F. after such splendid piece of acting
as we have witnessed here tonight. I
myself believe that to do or say any
more would be in the nature of anti
climax, and l feel sure that you would
rather this would end now. so that YOU
could go away with this wonderful
bit Of realism sharp and keen in your
memories. After the testimony of our
gifted young friend On the stand | am
ready to plead guilty to wife abandon
ment. murder, arson, ballot box stuff
ing or anything else. So. your honor. 50
he said, turning to the judge, 81 plead
guilty and offer to the plaintiff in sat
isfaction of her grievous wrongs pa
p@'s emitting her to all of little for
tune received not long since Of $50
600. have the papers on board ship
and can send them to her tonight"
La Verne sat down, while the audi
ence applauded again. The plaintiff
nodded assent and the Judge, after
heaping many warm compliments on
the magnificent bit Ct acting to which
the plaintiff had treated them. adj
iourned the court
The men sat in the smoking room
that night for long time discussing
the mock trial
LA Verne isn't such bad actor.
either" one of them was saying. "He
plays joke out to the end. too. I inst
met one of the Chinese boys moment
ago CarryinU n Io+ Of 1ooo1 11.