Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-12-29
CHAPTER ~.

A -h>'a > ~ 80 "a 80. $50 W.
tween his uncle and himself, and be,
tween himself and Augusta. Such as
it was, however, he gave 1t very well,
md with a complete openness that APP.
peared to produce n favorable impress
sion on the court.
Augusta was sworn, and Eustace
observed that when she removed her
veil to kiss the Book the sight of her
sweet face produced no small effect
upon the crowded court.
Then James began his examination
in chief, and, following the lines which
he had laid down in his opening
speech, led her slowly, while allowing
her to tell her own story as much rs
possible, to the time of the tattooing
of the Will on Kerguelen Land. All
nlong the history had evidently inter
estca everybody In the court intense
"; but now the excitement rose to
boiling point.
Well said James, tell his lord
Chip exactly how 1t came to pass that
stbe will of Mr.. Meeson was tattooed
Ipon your shoulders"
y In quiet but dramatic language,
Augusta nsrrated every detail, from
the time when Meeson confided to her
his remorse at having d~isinherlted his
nephew up to The execution of the will,
at her suggestion, by the sailor, upon
her own shoulders.
And now, Miss Smithers,' said
James, when she had done, Il am very
sorry to do SO, but l must ask you to
exhibit the docament to the court"
Poor Augusta colored up, and her
eyes filled with tears, as she slowly
undid the dust-eloak which hid her
shoulders. The Judge, looking up
sharply, observed her natural dis
tress.
III you prefer 1t, Miss Smlthers."
said his lordship, courteously, Il will
order the court to pc cleared OF every
one except those who are actually en-
gagged In the case"
II thank your lerdship," she said,
with-a little bow; but there would
still be sc many left that do not
think that 1t would greatly matter. I
hope that everybody will understand
my position. and extnnd their consid-
Grafton to me-
Very well,'' said the Judge, ana
without further ado she took Off the
8cloak and the silk handkerchief be-
meath II, and stood berore tine court. Is
That will do. Miss Smithers,' said
the Judge, for whose consideration she
felt deeply grateful; you can put
on your cloak again now" ~
1.-The document which you have Just
II ali n ~ X the h 80 ~ AFte.NC .Atkt, ~ -. ., Z. -
James, lis the n which was executed
upon your back In Kerguelen Land on
Or about the 22ds day ss Dacsmber, last
Year,.
1T Isl
1t vas executed In the presence OF
sseese testator and the two attesting wit
nesses, NIL three being present togeth-
er, and the signature OF each being
tattooed In the presence Of the other?''
ut was"
Was the t~estator. so far MS you
could Judge. at the time OF the dicta-
tion and execution Of the Will, OF
sound mind, memory and understand
ing?"
Most certainly he was
did you, beyond the suggestions Of
which you have already given evil
dence, In amy way unduly influence
the testator's mind, SO MS to induce
him to make this will?'
Il did not"
Then he passed on to the history OF
the death OF the two sailors who had
attested the viii, and to the account
Of Augustus ultimate rescue. finally
closing his examination in chief.
This closed the plaintiH s case, and
the attorney general at once proceeded
to call his witnesses, reserving mis- re-
marks till the conclusion OF the EVIL
dence. He had only two witnesses,
4 Mr.. Todd, the lawyer who drew and
4 attested the will OF November 10, and
his clerk, who also attested 1t, and
y their examination did not take long. In
cross-examination, however, both
these witnesses admitted that the tes-
tator was In a great state Of passion
when he executed the will, and gave
details OF the lively scene that then
occurred.
tsSnddress the court for the defendants.
He was followed briefly by the soil
cttor general and MI. Eiddlesticks; but
though they talked nuently enough,
addressing themselves to various
minor points. they had nothing fresh
OF interest to adduce.
Then his lordship began, and. after
giving ! masterly summary OF the
whole Casa concluded as follows:
sso,,rt, 80 fhA dntniva ~ Tho mnxk 30