The San Francisco call., 1909-11-04
QU|zzING BREAKS
DOWN AGED WOMAN
Grueling Examination in Will
Contest Saps Strength of
Mrs. Cebrian
Court Orders Recess When Wit
ness Is Unable to Longer
Stand the Strain

Hammered by grilling and persist
ent examination, Mrs. Josefa Cebrian,
proponent in the De Laveaga will con-
test, almost tainted in the witness chair
during the hearing of the case yester-
day afternoon, and recess had to be
taken while she was led tottering to
a seat near window and recovered
herself. She had been on the stand
since the trial opened, nearly week
ago, and had been subjected to a pitt
less examination by Attorney E. S.
Pillsbury, representing Miguel de La
veaga.. the contestant.
The aged woman stood up under the.
fire pluckily for several days, but it
was evident when she took the stand
yesterday that the continued strain
had told on her. She had lost her
usual composure and her answers had
in them a sting which before was lack
ing.
L have answered these questions be-
FORE" she burst out once; please make
<his as short as possible
On another occasion she turned on
Pillsbury in indignat ton. isn't 1t pos
sible for you to understand sir, that
Spanish and French customs are d1f-
ferent from American ones?"
AGED WOMAN BREAKS DOWN
The questioning continued along the
same lines until, unable to bear the
strain any longer, she broke down.
Even then, though pale and faint, she
retained her sense of the propriety OF
the courtroom. II am sorry" she
fn CnffeV in faltering
voice, "but-but 1 will have to beg for
a -
Before she could finish her sentence
the court ordered a recess, the bailln
was at her side with a glass of water
and her son was helping her to a
window.
Despite her nervous condition Mrs.
Cebrian gave the most damaging tes-
timony against her brother that has
been brought out SO far. The claim or
the contestant is that Mrs. Cebr1an kept
the Miss Maria de Laveaga, the testator,
in Europe until other legal matters
here were settled. The final decision
on these matters was handed down by
the supreme court in April, 1904.
When did you and your sister,
Maria, return to San Francisco?' asked
Pillsbury.
Z I'm December of 1903"
.'December of 1903," said Pillsbury.
Are you not mistaken, madam? was
it not until April of 1904, when the su-
preme court handed down the decision
against Anselmo de Laveaga?"
II mean December of 1903,' said Mps.
Cebrian.
A look of triumph spread over the
features of her children and her hus-
band as she made the statement. Pills
burys discontinue was so palpably ev
fdent that the courtroom broke into
tittering.
Pillsburys aim was to get her to ad-
nit that the suit brought by Anselmo
de Laveaga was the sole reason of
keeping Mrs. Cebrian and her sister in
Europe He went at this in a dozen
different guises and in a manner re-
markable for its persistency.
wOMAN's ANSWER UNEXPECTED
you write of sacrificing yourself.
he said, referring to one of her let
ters what was that sacrifice? Was
it staying in Europe because you could
not return 20 San Francisco on account
of the suit brought by Anselmo?
1T is no sacrifice to travel in Eu-
rope" said Mrs. Cebrian. Il have re-
peatedly told you that one of our rea
sons for going to Europe was to escape
the scandal which the suit entailed. MY
sacrifice lay in that l was separated
from my brother. Miguel whom 1 loved
and from his children, Whom also
loved"
The totally unexpected answer sent
a ripple through the room. Miguel de
Laveaga. the brother, was not in the
courtroom at the time.
During the questionings Pillsbury
asked her a question COUGHING his Ian
guage in terms of law.
81 don't know anything about law,
said the witness. ASK those questions
of somebody else. I am trying to
answer your questions, Mr.. Pillsbury"
she continued, and 1 don't think you
understand.
Il understand you perfectly" said
Pillsbury meaningly.
Mrs. de Laveaga turned from him
with look of indignation.
Il think" interposed the court drly.
that the remark OF counsel would be
better off the record
Gray hair restored to natural color by
Alfredums Egyptian Henna. A harmless