The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-04-14
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
SETTLED OUT OF COURT.
BY Ludlam Lee.

Judge Sanford was hearing a case
in the municipal court. The witness
in the chair had just been sworn in
giving her full name as Ida Graves
Russell Roe, counsel for the plant
in and an old friend of the Graves
family, had asked her to tell just what
she had seen regarding the accident
when Mr. Brown had been run down
by a large red touring car some two
months before. He asked a few direct
questions and then turned her over to
the lawyer for the other side.
Hugo Holland, counsel for the own
er of the automobile. hesitated about
putting this lovely girl on the rack
of cross examination. and when her
great big eyes looked helpessly into
his. he almost felt that the case was
lost
What did you say your name was o.
asked Holland. fioundering about for a
leading question.
Ida Graves" replied the witness.
What do you do for a livelihood p
followed up Holland.
turned to the kindly-faced Judge
as If for explanation. and over his
face came a sinister smile.
He means are you a working wo-
man." explained the Judge. Then. turn
ing to Holland. he scowled and con-
tinued: Il wish the counsel would stop
this tomfoolery and ask questions per-
tanning TO the case. Miss Graves is a
lady of leisure blind man could see
that. Come, come" and he raped the
desk with his gavel
You take an oath. do you. that the
chaueffeur did not sound the horn %
said Holland.
YES" answered the witness.
You swear to that. do your reit-
Grated the lawyer.
How many times do you want the
witness 10 repeat that statement?' in
terposed Roe for the other side.
This started a warfare of objections
and exceptions. The two lawyers and
the judge became involved in legal
technicaiities, Holland asking one
question and Roe objecting, the Judge
seemingly sustaining all OBJECTIONS.
The lawyers INDUCED in PERSONAL
ties and the Judge pounded for order.
Quiet again reigned in the courtroom
From the evidence before me / rem
der a verdict in favor of Mr.. Brown.
the plaintiff, for 81 900. The court will
take a recess until 2 o'clock" announc-
ed the judge.
Half an hour later Ida Graves and
her maid entered fashionable restau-
rant, secured a table in a cool corner
of the room and ordered a light lunch
teOn. She had come into town at the
earnest plea of old Mr.. Brown, whom
she had seen injured by the touring
car, and had testified in his behalf
Slipping her iced tea she glanced
about the room and to her surprise
at nearby table saw the two lawyers
who half an hour ago had been SO
personal in their remarks to each
other.
The ''pin-headed idiot" and the Ian
tern-jawed attorney" had evidently de-
cided to bury their differences in a
friendly meal. Mr.. Roe caught her eye,
and in a few moments came up to her
table
May l bring my friend, Mr.. Holland
over TO meet you under more favorable
circumstances" he asked.
You may not" answered Ida with
some spirit. That man is brute
why, Mr.. Roe, he accused me of-weI
of actually telling an untruth on the
stand"
eOh. well, that's all in the business.
you know, Miss Lida," soothed Roe.
He avs paid to do that"
What do you mean-a man receives
money to accuse a woman Of"
Roe saw that his argumentsc were
futile and returned to his friend. Ida
finished her luncheon and took a train
for Linden Beach, where the Graves
family was spending the summer at
fashionable hotel.
Sauntering around the broad piazzas
the following Sunday morning she met
face TO face the two lawyers, and II
Was Inevitable that she must meet the
brutal Mr.. Holland. Despite her aver
sion to the man who had cross-exam-
1ned her. she had to yield to the charm
OF his genial manners.
n say, Miss Graves" ne began.
were going to appeal that case. you
KNOW
~Whaf casef" she asked.
Why. my case; that Il, your case"
staknDered Holland.
They looked around for Mr.. Roe. but
"a 49, MIWm ~ a. - A.. - L