Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-12-08
CHAPTER XVI.

"Well, MeesoD, what is IT.? Have
you come to ask me to lunci?" asked
Mr.. John Short. do you know, ]
actually thought that you might have
been a ciient?"
We'll, old fellow, and so I am
answered Eustace, Il have been to
your brother, and he has sen me OF
to you, because he says that it is not
the etiquette Of the profession to see
n client unless a solicitor Is present,
80 he has referred me to you" D.
Perfectly right; perfectly right OF
my brother James, Meeson. Consider
ing how small are his opportunities of
becoming cognizant with the practice
Of his profession. 1t is extraordinary
how well he Is acquainted with it's
Theory. And now, what Is the pOint?"
"Well, do you know, Short, as the
point Is rather a long one. and that
your brother said he should expect us
at 2 precisely, | think we had better
go back to the Temple, when L can
tell the yarn to both Of you at once"
Very well. | do not, as Il general
rule, like leaving my office at this time
of day, as 1T Is apt to put clients to
Inconvenience, especially such of them
MS come from a distance. But l will
make an exception for you, Meeson.
In due course Eustace and his legal
adviser arrived at Pump court. and,
oh! how the heart of James, the bar
rlster, swelled with pride when for the
first time in his career he saw a real
solicitor enter his chambers accom-
panied by a real client!
"Will you be. seated. gentlemen"
he said, with much dignity. Meeson,
] suppose that you have explained to
my brother the matter on which you
require my advice?"
mo, 1 haven't" said Eustace. II
thought that l might as well explain
1T to you both together. ehT'
Hum" said James; 1T IL not quite
regular. According to the etiquette
Of the profession to which l have the
honor to belong, 1t is not customary
that matters should be so dealt with.
1t is usual that papers should be pre-
sented; but that | will overlook. as the
point appears to be pressing"
"That's right" said Eustace. "Well,
! have come about a will"
so | understand" said James; but
what will, and where is it?'
well, it's a will in my favor, and
It is tattooed on a lady's back"
The twins simultaneously rose from
their chairs and looked at Eustace
with such a ridiculous identity Of
and expression that he fair
~ burst out laughing.
ID presume. Meeson. that this is not
hoax" said James, severely, II pre-
sumo that you know too well what is
due to earned counsel to attempt to
make one Of their body the victim Of a
practical joker
SUFFICIENT respect for the dignity
the law not to tamper with 1t in
any such way as my brother has in
dicated?"
"Oh, certainly not. I assure you 1t
all square. 1t is a true bill, or
"a Their q true will
Proceed" said James. resuming his
seat. This is evidently a case Of an
unusual nature"
! ..sYlo are right there, CID hey" said
Eustace. And now, just l~isten,' and
he proceeded to unfold his moving tale
with much point and emphasis.
When he had finished, John looked
ut James rather helplessly. The case
was beyond him. But James was
equal to the occasion. He had master
ed that first great axiom which every
barrister should lay to heart:
Never appear to be ignorant"
''This case" he said, as though he
were giving judgment, lis doubtless Of
a remarkable nature, and l cannot at
the moment lay my hand upon any
authority bearing on the point. But
seems to me that, Notwithstanding
It's peculiar idiosyncrasies. 1t will, upon
those general laws that govern
the legal course of testamcntary dis
position. II I remember Alright
srbAk "a. hafsdAthe Act OF 4 Vic, cap.
90, specifies that a will shall be in
writing, and tattooing may fairly be
deAped az a rude variety OF writing.
It ~ I admit, usual that writing
should be done on paper or parchment,
but i have mo- doubt that the young
lady's skin, II carefully removed and
dried, would make excellent parch-
ment. At present. therefore, It Is parch-
mSnt IN Ito green stage. and perfectly
available Tor writing purposes. TO
continue, It appears that the will was
properly and duly executed by the
testator. or rather by the person who
httoocd In his presence and at his COM
mand: ! form Of signature which IL
very well covered by the section Of
tne Act Of i Vic, cap. %. 1t seems.
too, that thu witnesses attested in the
presence Of each other and Of the test
atOr. And now we come to what At
present strikes me as the crux. The
viii 10 undated. Does that invalidate
1T 1 answer with confidence, no. And
mark evidence-that Of Lady Holm
hurst-can be produced that this will
did not exist upon the back Of Miss
Augusta Smithers previously to De-
cember 10, on which day the Kangaroo
sunk; and evidence can also be pro-
duced-that Of Mrs. Thomas-that it
did exist on Christmas Day, when
Miss Smithers was rescued. It Is,
therefore, clear that II must have got
upon her back between December 10
and December %.
'ouite .. old fellow" said Eustace.