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** MY FRIEND AND I.
My friend and I, two souls agreed—
His way I take as he doth lead,
Or in some path he may not know
He follows me, and thus we go,
And mutual honor we concede.
My friend hath moods; ah, strong, indeed,
As if an autocrat decreed
His purpose; but we part not, though,
My friend and I.
Myself as strong my rule to heed,
As captives to each other freed
We dare to each the answer “No,”
Nor friendship ever break, and so
We give to each love’s highest meed.
My friend and I,
—Dwight Williams, in Homs Journal.
Witness for the Plaintiff.
BY luke sharp. ’
■
™ 1 two-masted , schooner
ne T. F. Baxter
was owned and commanded by Capt.
e “ ter -
the season had , , , been good and
a one
the Captain had made money. Heneeded
what,cash he made, for the seasons be
fore that one had been very dull, and it
was all the Captain could do to keep the
vessel inh:s possession. But this particu
larycar had been so fortunate that be paid
off tlie mortgage on his boat and had
•something left over to carry the family
* Ihere t^ had e ' v i been n te r - a terrible storm
■ered September, but the Baxter had weath
it, through the skill of the Captain
and the staunchness of the boat; but it
had been a close call, and the Captain.
who had up to that time carried no in
surauce except what he had to put on
when he mortgaged the boat to secure
the lenders, had effected ten thousand
dollars additional, so that if the good
left ship went down his family would not be
had penniless. The September weather
worked greatly on his mind, and
the anxiety he felt during the gale,
when he would think that if the boat
was lost only a small amount would come
to his family, made him resolve never
take such risk*.
The insurance ran out on November 1,
and the Captain expected to have the
boat laid up by that time; but freights
trip-; went higher and higher, and additional
became more and more tempting,
and when the storm of October 30 began
it found the Baxter on the open lake,
but just where will perhaps never be
known.
Part of a ship’s boat with the name
“Laxter” came ashore, and that was all
that was le t to tell the story of the
wreck. “Went down with all hands,”
the papers said.
Then came the question of insurauce.
The companies banded together and re
solved to contest the case. They claimed
that the Baxter was a stanch boat and
that she had ridden out- the two days’
Btorm of October 30 and 31, and that she
had been lost on the 1st or 2d of Novem
tier when the insurance had expired, and
it rested with the plaintiff to show that
•such was not the case.
The lawyers for the plaint If knew that
they had a pretty poor chance to show
this. They had not much hope of se
-curing a verdict. But they knew that
their client was a widow who had lost
her husband in that gale, and
tru.-i ed to a strong appeal to the
jury, who are very apt in such cases
sympathize with the unfortunate and
pile on the damages on a soulless covpor
ation. What the chief counsel
for the plaintiff feared was that
the judge would so plamiy direct
t-hejury tog.vea verdict for the com
panics that those twelve gentlemen
would have no chance of letting their
sympathies take the place ol good
law.
Mrs. Baxter’s lawyers were feeling
rather blue over the aspects of affairs on
the second day of the trial when word
came to the senior partner that a man
wished to speak to him on important
business. After a short absence from
the court rvom he returned with a per
son and who said: was evidently a seafaring man
“Your Honor, we desire to place an
other witness on the stand.”
The other side at once objected, and
said it was very unusual at that stage of
the case, and desired to know what his
brother intended to prove.
“We intend to prove the date of the
loss of the Baxter. I wish to call Jacob
Swanson, one of the survivors.”
At this extraordinary announcement
there was a sensation, especially among
the reporters, each one of whom was be
wailing his bad luck in not getting hold
of Mr. Swanson himself and thus se-
curing Judge a sensation for his paper. The
overruled the objections of the
attorneys hear for the companies and elected
to what Mr. Swanson had to say.
His Honor added that ample opportunity
would be given the defense to show that
Mr. Swanson was an impostor, as they
had rather plainly intimated. Jacob
Swanson took the witness stand and was
sworn. He wore a heavy beard, but
that only served to emphasize the hag¬
gardness of the uncovered part of his
face.
“What is your name?”
“Jacob Swanson.”
“Are you a citizen of the United
States?”
“Yes, but I was born in Sweden.”
“What is your business?”
“I am a sailor.”
she “Wereyou on board the Baxter when
was lost?”
“I was.”
“Where did you ship on her?”
“H* Detroit.”
“How many voyages did you make
on her?”
“That was my second voyage.”
“When was she lost?”
“On the night of the 30th of October.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“Yes, sir.”
“That is all, your Honor.”
The lawyers for the other side took
the witness in hand.
“Do you know that a great deal de
pends “les, on your testimony in this case?”
sir.”
“Oh, you do, eh? You know that my
clients will have to pay a large sum of
money if what you state is true?”
- “Yes, sir.”
“You have some interest in the ver
diet then?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, you have. I like a witness that
is frank. You would not tell a lie, I
suppose."
“I have doue so.”
“Have you?” Did you ever perjure
yourself before?” •
Plaintiff’s lawyer—“That is not a
proper sort of question to ask a wit
ness. ”
“I propose to examine £ m my own
wav.”
“But I submit that such » question is
not a proper one.”
“He has just confessed himself to be a
liar and I propose to see whether he will
confess to perjury as well.”
“I think many of us might confess to
telling a lie, if we were only honest
enough.”
“I hope you speak only for yourself,
sir; I must protest--”
His Honor—“Please to continue the
case. The witness has answered very
straightforwardly Bounce will so far, I think. Mr.
not insist on the question.”
“Very well, your Honor. Now, sir,
w r as any inducement offered you to come
here and testify as you have done?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Oh, ho! An inducement was offered.
I hope the jury will \take note of that.
Now, my man, who offered it to you?”
Opposing Objection counsel—“I object.”
overruled.
“Who offered you the inducement?”
“Captain indeed. Baxter.”
“Oh, Isn’t Captain Baxter
drowned:”
^ 0 i ® tr -
Sensation in . court.
“Where is he now?”
At the bottom of the lake.
“I thought you said he was not
drowned.”
“He was killed. ”
“What inducement was offered you?”
“An oath. ”
I do not understand you.
“I swore an oath to Captain _ Baxter
that if there was a suit I would come
here and tell the truth about what I was
asked ”
“Indeed. And this oath, I suppose,
“Yes, administered sir.” during the storm ?”
“Where?”
“In the cabin.”
“Why were not both you and the Cap¬
tain attending to the navigation of the
vessel?”
“Because the vessel was beyond help
at that time.”
“Had she gonedowD:”
“No, sir, but she was on her beam
ends practically. The man at the wheel
had been disabled and tlie captain sprang
into his place. The next moment and
before the Captain the was rudder prepared for it,
a big sea struck and the Cap
cabin. tain was The fiung vessel against the round corner of the
came and the
next wave tore off the hatches and partly
filled her with water. She heeled over
so that we knew at once in such a sea we
could do nothing with her.’
“ Was the Captain killed outright ?”
“No, he staggered or fell down the
for companion way into the cabin and called
me, and—”
“ Stop a moment, you are going too
fast. Don’t volunteer information until
you are asked for it.”
His Honor—“Mr. Bounce, I would
suggest that you let the man tell his
story of the wreck and that you question
him afterwards. I confess I would like
to hear his own story of this tragedy.
Now, Mr. Swanson, tell in your own
way what happened.”
“ Well, sir, the Captain called for me
and he said: ‘ Swanson, I’m killed and
the boat is lost. ’ I was going to speak
but he wouldn’t let me. ‘ Listen to me,
Swanson,’he said. ‘ What day is this V
of ‘ Thursday,’ the I said. < Yes, but whatdav
month V ”
“ ‘Idon’t know,’ I said, There’s a
calendar in on the wall,’ he said, ‘look
at for Thursday God’s and find the date—hurry,
sake—the boat is sinking V I
had hard work finding the date, for the
cabin was partly full of water and the
lamp sideways was burning dim, and evervthing her"
was on account of being
heeled over, but I got it and saw it was
the 30th. ‘Now, you remember that,’
cried the Captain, ‘and remember my
family. See if there is a book on that
shelf.’ I looked, but there wasn’t,
1 There must be,’ said the Captain; ‘look
again.’ Then I saw a book floating in the
water. ‘Is that it?’I said. “Yes,’ said
the Captain; ‘that is my wife’s Bible,
bless her. Now, Jacob Swanson, you
are the best man on this boat—the best
sailor I ever had—put that book to your
lips and swear that wind or wave will
not and keep you from seeing that my wife
babies have their rights. Swear it
before God, Jacob Swanson,’ andlswore
and I am here.”
“What did you do then!”
“I went to help the Captain out—he
had fallen on his face across the table,
but when I turned him over he was
dead, Then we got into the boat
and— 1)
“How many of you!”
“Four. One was disabled and he died
before we got far. Then the boat was
upset when we got among the breakers
and the other two were drowned. I
clung to the bottom of the boat and kept
repeating my oath.”
Mr. Bounce—“Now, my man, what
has kept you concealed all this time?
Why have we never heard of you until
now?”
“I had no money, sir. I got here as
quick as I could.”
“But you seem to have told no one of
the wreck?”
“No, sir.”
“ Why was that?”
“No one questioned me.”
‘ ‘That is a rather thin story. Do you
know any one here?”
“No, sir. I know the man who
shipped me. His name was Brownson. ”
His Honor—“Is there such a man in
the city?”
Plaintiff’s counsel—“ He is in the
courtroom, your Honor. He was ageut
for Capt. Baxter.”
«Tt mi„ht, he well to Do‘vou call him ”
yj,. “Stop Brownson a moment. recognize
here?”
“Yes, sir. There he is.”
In the examination of Mr. Brownson
it was shown that lie remembered hiring
Swanson “Now,’
Mr. Brownson, you ship a
good many men in a season?”
“Yes”
“Then how is it that you remember
this particular one?”
“Well lie is not the sort of a man
that one is likely to forget. Besides, I
thought had he asked too much money, and
we a talk about that . but lie seemed
a n. 00( j man / an( j j engaged him ”
qq le ; urv oun( j a verdict for the plain
tiff without leaving their seats.— Detroit
Free Press.
An Astonished Husband.
A near-sighted man, who had lives not far
from Kingston, N. Y., never worn
or looked through a pair of glasses until
a short time ago. One day a peddler
called, and, among other things, he
offered eye-glasses for sale. He per¬
suaded the man to “try on” a pair.
After the farmer had adjusted the
glasses, he looked at objects in the room
with astonishment. Finally his eyes
rested upon his wife. He took a long
look at her, and then exclaimed:
“.Tane, Jane, I never would have mar¬
ried you if I had known that you was so
homely!”
The man who has not anything to is
boast of but his illustrious ancestors
like him a potato—the is under ground. only good belonging
to
THE TWO WORDS
One day a harsh word, rashly said,
Upon an evil journey sped,
And like a sharp and cruel dart,
It pierced a fond and loving heart;
It turned a friend into a foe,
And everywhere brought pain and woe.
A kind word followed it one day,
Flew swiftly on its blessed way;
It healed the wound, it soothed the pain,
And friends of old were friends again;
It made the hate and anger cease,
And everywhere brought joy and peace.
But yet the harsh word left a trace
The kind word could mot quite efface,
And though the heart its love regained,
It bore a scar that long remained:
Friends could forgive but not forget
Or lose the sense of keen regret.
Oh, if we would but learn to know
How swift and sure our words can go,
How would we weigh with utmost care
Each thought before it sought the air,
And only speak the words that move
Like white-winged messengers of love?
— L. E. Diekenga.
PITH AID POUT.
A land grabber—A steam shovel.
Knows the ropes—The hangman.—
Pittsburg Chronicle.
The farther a man gets away irom a
dollar the bigger it looks.— 'Statesman.
The people of the territory of Dakota
believe in a future state. — Washington
Critic.
Somehow men really seem to enjoy it
when their tailors give them fits.— Detroit
Free Press.
The most elastic imagination fails to
discern any beauty in city snow.— Phila¬
delphia Times.
The dishonest butcher is always will¬
ing to meat his customomers half weigh,
—Boston Transcript.
Although And he covets it from birth,
covets it through life's brief span,
Man never, never gets tlie earth.
It is the earth that gets the man.
No man who sits cross-legged in a
crowded street car can ever be picked out
by an admiring populace for a patriot.—
Baltimore American.
Bobby (who lives in an east side Har¬
lem flat)—“Pa, why are they called
‘Apartment’houses ? ” Father (a victim)
—“Because they come apart so easily.”
—Epoch.
A bride may be robed in yellow and
stand with the bridegroom in a bower of
yellow flowers and all that, but no amount
of decoration will prevent the discovery
of the couple’s greenness at the first hotel
they put up at.— Springfield Union.
ONLY A LITTLE WORD.
It was only a word
That the silence st rred,
But an import knell sad had it—
A of despair
To a loving pair—
’Twas her father's one word, “Git!”
— Boston Budget.
First, bottle-nosed man—“McGuffy,
there’s too much money in the Treasury,
I tell you.” Seeond Ditto—“Well,now,
between you and me and the Secretary, I
wish I could only get the twist of me
thumb on to about 25 cents av it. ”—New
York Journal.
A Creston lover xvho addressed a love
scented letter to the object of his affec¬
tion, asking the young lady to become
his partner through life, inscribed on
one corner of the envelope: “Scaled
proposal.” The result ivas lie was
awarded the contract. — Omaha Bee.
“ How bright the heavenly star.? are
to-night, Mr. Sampson.” “ Ah, yes, Miss
Smith, but they are dim and lusterless
compared said, looking with into Certain her earthly “And ones, ” he
eyes. the
wind,” she went on, “how soft and low,
as it gertly moves the chestnut trees.”
Extraordinary Bear Shooting.
Mr. Jeff Smith, boss of the Smlt
ranch on the Frio canou, while within
five miles of his house in the mountain*
near Uvalde, Texas, encountered a large
black bear in his path. Tying his horse
to a tree he killed the bear, and hardly
had the bear fallen when another came
upon the spot, which wilh a bullet he
dropped appeared over the in other. succession, A third which and he a
fourth
killed likewise, all failing, it is said,
within a space of twenty feet. Bears are
so plentiful and now tables that the meat supplied is
abundant, our are also
with venison.— Qalceston News.
Advice is like snow; the softer it falls
the lodger it dwells upon, and the
deeper it sinks into, the mind.
