The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-06-20

Hubbell Versus Terry

[Original.]

men OLD JOnn tallOWS, cnlldleSS
widower, became partially blind, peo-
pie wondered how he was going to get
on. 1t was not long before their anx-
iety was allayed by the announcement
that Rebecca Hubbell, young lady
socially prominent and much sought
after, had of her own free will resign
ed the world to devote herself to the
poor old man.
Fallows' only descendant was
niece, Jane Terry, the daughter of his
sister When Miss Hubbell entered
upon the care of John Fallows, Miss
Terry was a schoolgirl. A year later
she was graduated, and it was sup
posed that she would relieve the wo-
man who was giving up her life to de-
vote it to the invalid by taking her
place. But she did not Then people
began to talk. A story was circulated
that she was bent rather on frivolity
than shutting herself up to be a prey
to the whims of a peevish old man.
Miss Terry gave color to the report by
accepting the offer of woman who
took a fancy to her to introduce
her into society. Being attractive, her
social success was looked for by her
friends. Nevertheless she was a fail
ure. She was blamed for permitting
Miss Hubbell to do a work that she
should have done herself. This feeling
was more pronounced since Miss Hub
| bell had been prominent in the circle
to which Miss Terry had been intro
| duced. Besides this, there were num-
Der of little sayings going about the
origin of which could not be traced.
When Mrs. A. asked Mrs. B. why
Miss Terry did not assume her proper
place with respect to her uncle, Mrs B.
! would say that she had heard it stated
that the old gentleman was so nervous
and irritable that only one of serene
disposition could manage him. When
Mrs. G. asked Mrs. D. the same ques-
ton, Mrs. D. would look grave and say
that Miss Terry was jealous of the in
f1uence of that angel over her uncle
and would like to get near him if she
could. It was the old man who kept
her away Whatever truth there was
in these reports, certain it is that they
| blocked Miss Terry's social aspirations,
and after being present at few func.
tons she was dropped
Then came surprise. John Fallows
died, and instead of leaving compe-
tency, as had been supposed, he left
millions. But, as still greater sur
prise, he bequeathed everything to his
niece, Jane Terry, not remembering
Miss Hubbell with penny Society
was shocked. Miss Hubbells sacrifice
was unrequited, while Miss Terry, who
had shirked a duty in order to attempt
to assume place in society, which de,
clined to receive her, was made rich
A few cynical people predicted that
society might protest with its heart
against such injustice, but that Miss
Terry would open with golden key a
lock that would not turn with one OF
baser metal. But these did not reckon
on the hold Miss Hubbell still held on
the social leaders. Society with unex'
pected generosity took up the cause OF
the poor girl who had been wronged
and turned its back on the girl it as
SumeQ na0 WfOnSeu ner.
Then it was rumored that the de
ceased had drawn codicil to his viii
leaving a considerable part of his es
tate to Miss Hubbell. This codicl haG
been appropriated by Miss Terry. Miss
Hubbell commenced suit to break the
will. All would depend upon securing
possession of slip of paper on which
the codicil had been written. 1t was
known or at least supposed to be il
the keeping of Miss Terry or her attor
neys. Could they be forced to produce
it in court?
Miss Terry surprised every one by
taking the management of her affairs
into her own hands. She engaged hel
lawyers and instructed them in the
J method of their defense. They were tt
admit the existence of the paper il
question, but were to decline to pro
duce it till compelled to do so in ope1
. court. This course only inflamed Mis-!
Hubbell's supporters against the heir
, ess, and the social doors remained
barred against her.
All periods Of waiting have an end
and so did the suspense attending thu
case of Hubbell versus Terry Tit
: lawyers for the claimant and the law
yers for the defendant came into cour
with their satchels full Of papers ant
their clerks loaded with law books
Rebecca Hubbell showed great conf
dence, for her lawyers assured he
that they would compel her enemies +
produce the codicil. The most care5a
study Of Miss Terry's face failed to re
: veal what she felt. Society was pres
ent in large numbers, and for once so
ciety was deeply interested in seeing {
3 wrong righted.
! Miss HubbelPs principal attorne,
, after few preliminary questions to
witness who had admitted he had seel
the much talked Of paper bearing tn
codicil asked Of the court that it b
= produced by the defense. The attorne.
r for the defense objected The cour
i, ruled that the document must b
b brought out. Slowly the attorney drew
b | from hfr rortof a wallet and from fh