Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 15.pdf/448

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Rufus Choate. heirs. To break this will an action was brought by the latter. The case came up on appeal from the probate judge, who had allowed the will. Daniel Webster was en gaged as senior council for the executors and was opposed to Mr. Choate, who was acting for the heirs.

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spent most of his time at the window, appar ently much more interested in some steers in the back yard. As he had then a farm at Marshfield in the management of which he took great pride, it was natural that he should be interested in such animals. The younger lawyers finally adjourned the inter-

A LETTER OF RUKUS CHOATE.

The morning of the day previous to the trial, Mr. Webster arrived in Northampton and was taken in the afternoon into a room in the rear of a hotel by his associates that they might prepare for the hearing upon the following day. Mr. Webster seemed to be paying little attention to what was said, but

view and left the hotel, feeling that they had drawn a mighty man but one who would be of little assistance at the trial. After they had left, Mr. Webster took his hat and saun tered through the town and inquired of some one if he could tell him where a Mr. Phelps lived. Webster called at the house and was