River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-04-16

Harrison, the counsel for the plain
tiff, walked in briskly and took his
seat. Ready for trial, your honor
Call the plaintiff in the case, Mrs. John
A. La Verne"
A woman dressed in black and heav.
lily yelled stepped majestically down
the aisle and took her seat in the wit
ness chair. "That's young Martin, y
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
those who sat near him noticed how he
trembled, and commented on his splen-
did acting.
"Your name?" asked Harrison.
MRS John \. La Verne"
''Do you know this defen2ant?''
asked Harrison, pointing to Mr.. La
Verne.
"Yes.".
rs he any relation to you?" asked
Harrison. eff so, what?''
Gle is my husband" said the woman,
slowly. La Verne's lips moved slow
ly. IT'S a lie," he muttered.
Everybody around turned and looked
at him in surprise. His attorney
tapped him on the back. Don't be too
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 I had money.
He married me for it. After short
year, during which he made the dis
cOyery 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 Il
man paralyzed. But I'll follow him, -
she went on. "I'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
inssociety and then III appear and tell
nj hoo nj
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 III shoot him and laugh while he's
gasping for his last breath"
The witness had drawn wicked
little revolver from her pocket and
started to raise it. Then she let il
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 IA hammer. Then
the applause broke out. Men and WON
Ell stood on the chairs and shouted
and clapped their hands. Flowers
were hurled at the weeping plaintiff
and from all around came such expires
sions: 'Never saw such acting in my
life" "By CAD, that fellows simply
great" George, but that is almost
real Greatest thing / 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
after such a splendid piece of acting
as we have witnessed here tonight. |
myself believe that to do or say any
more would be in the nature of anti
climax, and | 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
he said, turning to the judge. II plead
guilty and offer to the plaintiff in sat
isfaction of her grievous wrongs pa
pers emitting her to all of little for
tune | received not long since of $50
900. I 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 Of acting to which
the plaintiff had treated them, ad-
jOurned 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. | Just
met one of the Chinese boys,a moment
ago carrying lot of legal looking pa
DerS that Ia Verne ba Il or;vo,, I =. \ -