istrate. The town constable opened court with the customary proclamation, and in voked our Heavenly Father to save the Com monwealth, and also to preserve the health of Judge Huckins. "The court is naow open an' ready for business," remarked his Honor, "an' Mr. Officer, clear ther court-room of loafers an' 'busybodies.' An' neighbors an' frens', I want ter say right here my decisions are given in good faith an' cordon ter my con science, an' law, an' evidence, an' good mor als arterwoulds. An' I say further, that there air too much talk goin' on 'bout mv rulin's, 'specially in Loring Dunn's grocery, an' unless this thing's stopt I perpose to is sue a judicial proclamation agin' Brother Dunn. He sets in the same pew I do at church, but I'm mighty feered he's strayed frum the teachin' in ther kittykisum. Mr. Clerk, is the case of Higgins agin' Estabrook ready fer trial?" "Yes; but Hiram Higgins objects to you trying the case because he owes you a bill, and he thinks he won't git a fair trial." "Wa-al. Hiram, don't be afeered of your not gittin' a square deal. I won't by any act of mine make you poorer than you air, 'cause I wouldn't stand much show of gittin' my money ef I did." (Objection overruled.) The case has begun, and the plaintiff al leges that Horace Estabrook, not having the fear of God in his heart, but being moved and instigated by the devil contrary to the Bible, did wilfully alienate the affections of Hiram Higgins' wife from her lawful hus band. Estabrook filed a general denial, and further answering says that he did not alien ate the affections of Hiram Higgins' wife, because such affections never existed, (spec
ial plea.) Hiram Higgins, plaintiff, swore that at Deacon Jones' housewarming, last fall, he caught the defendant, Estabrook, holding his wife's hands and apparently on very intimate terms together. Estabrook, who was shiftless about his appearance pre viously, got to greasing his hair and spruc ing up to his wife in a general way, finally sending his clothes over to said Higgins' house for his wife to mend. "I jest allus was suspicious of Estabrook, Jedge, 'cause he used ter kerry my wife's slate ter school, an' go coastin', and skatin' with her, an' he wus tumble doawn in the mouth when I won her. But now et looks ez if I'd hev to work hard'n a dern furriner." Horace Estabrook admitted being on friendly terms with Mrs. Higgins, but denied all knowledge of any wrong doing. Judge Huckins " 'lowed ez how it were a perty puzzlin' case, an' though Horace had possibly been a 'leetle' thoughtless, vit his carryin' on might a' ruined a good and lawabidin' citizen. Hiram has met with 'repar able injury, bein' 'bliged ter work hard'n lie did afore, his wife's havin' lost all 'fection fer him, thereby withdrawn her support. In thet case et looks ter me ez ef Hiram Higg¡ns wuz likely ter become a toawn charge afore long. I must give judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of two hundred dollars, an' I hope an' trust that Horace'll profit by this case an' cease meddlin' with other folk's wives." At the next meeting between Judge Huck ins and Hiram Higgins at Dunn's grocery store, law business was put aside and only business of a private nature was transacted, after which it was noticed that the Squires generally thoughtful face had taken on a ven" pleasing expression.
