The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-02-19
HubbelI Versus Terry
loriginal.l

When old John FallowS, chlldless
widower, became partially blind, peO.
pie wondered how he was going to get
on 1t was not long before their anx-
tety was allayed by the announcement
that Rebecca Hubbell, a young lady
socially prominent and much sought
after, had of her own free will resign
cd the world to devote herself to the
poor old man.
Fallows' only descendant was a
niece, Jane Terry, the daughter Of his
sister. When Miss HubbeIl 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 1t 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 frivoIity
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 a 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 a 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 1t stated
that the old gentleman was so nervous
and irritable that only one Of a 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
fuepce of that angel over her uncle
and would like to get near him II she
could. 1t 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 a surprise. John Fallows
died, and instead of leaving a compe-
tency, as had been supposed, he left
millions. But, as a still greater sur
prise, he bequeathed everything to his
niece, Jane Terry, not remembering
Miss Hubbell with a penny. Society
was shocked. Miss Hubbell's sacrifice
was unrequited, while Miss Terry, who
had shlrked 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 a 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 1t as
sumed had wronged her.
|
ceased had drawn a codicil to his will
leaving a considerable part of his es-
tate to Miss Hubbell. This codicil had
been appropriated by Miss Terry. Miss
Hubbell commenced suit to break the
will. All would depend upon securing
possession of a slip Of paper on which
the codicil had been written. 1t was
known or at least supposed to be in
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 her
lawyers and instructed them In the
method OF their defense. They were to
admit the existence of the paper in
question, but were to decline to pro-
duce it till compelled to do SO In open
court. This course only inhamed Mlsa
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 the
case of Hubbell versus Terry. The
lawyers for the claimant and the law
! yers for the defendant came into court
with their satchels full of papers and
their clerks loaded with law books.
Rebecca Hubbell showed great conf
dence, for her lawyers assured her
that they would compel her enemies t.
produce the codicil. The most careful
study of Miss TerTy's face failed to re
veal what she felt Society was pres
emit In large numbers, and for once 30
} ciety was deeply interested in seeing
wrong righted.
/ Miss HubbeIrs principal attorney
after a few preliminary questions to
witness who had admitted he had seer
the much talked of paper bearing thu
codicil asked Of the court that 1t b
produced by the defense. The attorney
for the defense objected The cour'
:. | ~ rauNf h