Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1905-12-22
CHAPTER Xxx.

CHAPTER NIX.
The registrar rose and called on the
case. of Meeson vs.. Addison ana An
other, and In an instant rle wretched
James Short was on his legs to open
the case.
what is that gcntlemaa's Nance"
Augusta heard the judge ask Of the
clerk.
Short, my lord"
ID you appear alone for the plain
tiff, Mr.. ShortY' asked the judge, with
emphasis. I
Yes, my lord; I do" answered
James, and as he said 1t every pair Of
eyes In that crowded assembly fixed
themselves upon him. and a sort of
audible smile seemed to run round the
court.
"And who appears for the defend
anti"
II understand, my lord" said the
learned encouragement, that all my
learned friends on these two benches
appear, together with myself, for one
or other Of the defendants, or are
watching the ease In the interest OF
legatees. I may add that the interests
involved in this case are very large
indeed, which accounts for the number
Of counsel connected In IL way or
other with the defense"
"Qulte so, Mr.. Attorney said the
Judge; "but, really, the forces seem
a little out of proportion. OF course,
the matter is not one in which the
| court can interfere"
"If your lordship will allow me-"
said James, the only reason that the
plaintiff is so poorly represented is that
the funds to brief other counsel were,
I understand, not Forthcoming. / am,
however, well versed in the case, and,
with your lordship's permission, Will
do my best with It."
very well, Mr.. Short" said the
learned judge, looking at him almost
with pity; state your case"
May it please your lordship.' began
James Short, and then his mind be-
came u ghostiy blank, in which dim
and formless IDEAS fitted vaguely to
and fro. There was a pause-a pain
full pause.
.Read your pleadings aloud" whis-
pered a barrister who was sitting next
him, and realized his plight.
This wassan idea. One can read
pleadings when one cannot collect
ones ideas to speak. 1t is not unusual
to do SO. The counsel In a case states
the substance of the ~pleadings, leav-
ing the court to refer to them IL 1t
thinks necessary. But still there was
nothing absolutely wrong about 1t; SO
he snatched at the papers and prompt
" began:
"u) The plaintiff is the sole and
universal legatee under the true last
Will of Jonathan Meeson, deceased,
late of Pompadour Hall. in the County
OF Warwick, who died on the 23d of
December, 1885, the said will being
undated, but duly executed on. or sub
sequent to the 22d day Of December,
1886"
Here the learned Judge lifted his
eyebrows In remonstrance, and cleared
his throat preparatory to interfering;
but apparently thought better Of 1t.
stqI)," went on James, ION the 21st
day OF May, 1886, probate OF an al
legged will OF the said Jonathan Nee
son was granted to the defendants,
bearing date OF the 10th day OF No
vember. 1885. The plaintiff claims:
I'D That the court shall revoke pro-
bate OF the said alleged will.
"(2) A grant OF letters of administra-
ton to the plaintiff with the will exc
cuted on or subsequent to the 22d day
OF December, 1885, annexed.
(Signed) JAMES SHORT
"May It please your lordship." James
began, again feeling dimly that he had
read enough pleadings. "the defend
ants have fled an answer pleading
that the will OF the 22d Of December
was not duly executed In accordance
with the statute. and that the testator
did not know and sppsove its contents.
and an amended answer pleading that
the said alleged VIII. IL executed. was
obtained by the undue influence OF
Augusta Gmithers"5and once more
his nervousness overcams him, and he
pulled up with q jerk. Then came an-
other pause wen more dreadful than
the nrst.
James could not 80 on. He could
only wish that he might then and there
expire, rather than ace the hideous
aumiIia ion Of Guch a failure. But he
would have failed, for his brain was
whlrling like that Of adrnnken man.
had II moi been for An occurrence that
name OF Fiddlestick. q. @. For Fid-
dlestlck, Q. G., who WAS al OF the
leaders for the defendants. had been