Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-04-04
In the Matter
OF Elizabeth
By S. T. STERN
Copyright, 1904. by s. T. Stern

Ill By S. T. STERN
Copyright. 1904. by s. T. Stern
There were two Elizabeth Lang
hams. For fifteen years they had livet
almost side by side, and neither o.
them had learned of the others exist
ence. Three hundred feet of metropOll
tan space and several hundred thou
sand dollars separated them socially
and completely. The elder Miss Lang
ham resided near the middle Of the
block in plutocratic white stone man
sioG. At the corner of the same street
in a modest fat house lived the other
Elizabeth.
Though neither Of them was aware
Of the circumstances, these two pos
sessed one link in common. His par
ents knew him as James Carruthers
His clients and professional friends
called him Jack, the counselor. Miss
Langham knew him as her oldest and
he hoped, her best friend. Elizabeth
Langham knew him as her employer.
Elizabeth Langhan. often wondered
that Jim had selected her from two
dozen applicants for the position of ste
nogr;ipher in his legal establishment.
A callow graduate from business col
lege, she had hardly hoped to gain ac-
ceptance over score Of experienced
typiSts. The true reason-her name
she never guessed. Still Jim had no
reason to regret his choice. Miss Eliza
beth was neat, pretty and bright. Jim
dictated to her daily, and she tran
scribed without an error
Not so Miss Laugham, the focus Of
fifty bachelor aspirations. Jim tried
dictation there only once.
"Mr. Carruthers," said Miss Langham
cOldly, "you are taking a mean advan-
tage of our friendship. You have no
right to criticise my other friends.
am proud to number Judge Newton
among my friends"
But he's fifty If he's a day. Jim
persisted.
so shall you be, Mr.. Carruthers-
some day. Good night"
There were tears after Jim had taken
his departure, but that Jim did not
know. He did know, however, that
Miss Langham had dismissed him, and
he sorrowed accordingly.
Its that fellow, Colonel Newton"
he unused. "Since they've elected him
judge Elizabeth has been indiffer-
ent to me. Mrs. Judge Newton evil
IDENTIFY sounds better to her young
ears than plain Mrs. Jimmy Carruth-
ers." So he foundered homeward in
the sluSh of a winter evening and
nursed his first great sorrow.
Sorrow maketh sympathiZer.
Jimmy. blue and hopeless, became hui
manitarian in week. One morning
when his stenographer, Miss Eliza
BETH showed him court summons
which had been served upon Ect, de
manding that she pay the sum OF $40
forthwith or suffer the entry Of ju1s-
mcnt for that amount, Jimmy simply
radated consolation. "Who Is this
Nine Nellie who is suing YOU"
Il never heard Of her. WAS the re-
sponse.
Jim scanned the papers closely.
.AIiGc. Nc,.ic." lie said after he had
finished. seems to be the trade name
Of Il being whose Christian appeiiation
Is Michael O'Malley. He says you
ordered one blue dress Of the value of
$3.50. lie svears that you have re-
fused 10 ;cce-. it, &nd lie s;rs accord
ing.;;"
There must be some Mistake. /
never ordered 4 dress onc-foirth as
expen.ive 6; that. Nor have l over
laid eyes Oh Nine. Nellie"
where DO you live:" he inquired.
Her reply Gstouished him. NO. -
Sixth avenue"
us that near Forty seventh street"
ut Is Oh lie corner. The side street
Is ve;,..' Fashionable. This summons
must i. Intended for some wealthy
woman near by who doesn't pay her
bills"
Wlca jim saw that tie papers were
s:.::::@,>.. .A tie EG:..c Of tie Hon.
Wii.i.:m Ncv'ton. Justice. his mind
Wa, c!adc up. lie told his secretary
to have no .e... lie WAS happy to
show lis 2.:".:.'cc.at;on Of her faithful
Gra !oG% continued serv!ce.
Re ::...c., ,..:o Use himself. His rival
SGT C.. -; :,>..t,i aa,! G:;.:cl savagely
at Kin. lest that - Jimmy's re-
port O. Il y":...c!al attitude.
AS it E"p'.e:ei. Nine. Nellie was not
presy-t - ,ac cSI:,:,oil. having been
de.a::.:.Ji elsewhere Oh jury duty.
IL his place he sent two of his as
si..,aE.s. One Of them took the stand
~ oace-a ford faced lady she was,
w.o confessed amiably that she had
been dressmaker for twenty-one
years and was approaching her thir-
tieth birthday. "It's this way, Judge,
yer honor" she testified glibly. mime.
Nellie sent the dress, and she sent
it back. saying it didn't fit. / didn't
have nothing to do with it, but the
lady In our house as did has assured
me that it fitted to perfection. Nine.
Nellie says Miss Langham should be
compelled to pay"
At this point Jim felt called upon to
explain matters. "You see." he start
ed to say. they've got the wrong
Judge Newton waved him aside.
"The issue in this case is simple. Does
the gown At? That is all. would
like to ask Miss Langham q question
or two. Take the stand, miss"
Miss Langham did so.
"What Is your name"
"Illizabeth Langham."
"Where do you live"
mo. - Sixth avenue"
"You may retire to my private cham
ber and don the dress. The plaintiffs
experts will accompany you"
Miss Langham commenced to weep.
eff you please. Judge Newton" she
stammered.
"Do as say" he responded testify.
1.-THE court will judge for itself"
Five minutes later Miss Langham
re-entered the courtroom clad In the
gown under dispute. Nine. Nellie's