684
THE GREEN BAG
THE
LIGHTER SIDE
A Will from the Provinces. — Preston, Nova Scotia, is the home of quite a body of the colored race. Their frequent litigations have made them so keen on the law that they even try their hands at will drawing. The follow ing is one of the most famous examples in the Halifax probate office: IN THE NAME OF GOD; AMEN: I, Alexander Taylor, in Preston do declare this to be my last will and testament. First, I do hereby bequeath my body to the dust and my spirit to God who gave it. Secondly I do hereby to my son John Taylor, Blacksmith in Halifax and his heirs forever my land joining on the east side of Salmon River, Preston, containing 280 acres with house and out houses to the aforesaid John Taylor forever. And the land must be sold as soon as possible for to maintain me and my wife Margaret Taylor. I have appointed James Lawlor in Dart mouth to sell the land and give what money it brings to the aforesaid John Taylor and him to collect and pay off what debt is upon the place and the remainder is for to maintain me and my wife as long as God is pleased to let us live in this world. 18 day of July, 1866. Alexander Taylor (L.S.) Refresher Needed. — Secretary Elihu Root is said to have been one of the best paid attorneys in the United States General Corbin, who used frequently to accompany him upon horseback excursions, was embarrassed by his fruitless efforts to engage Root in conversation. Becom ing desperate from his repeated failures, Corbin, n speaking of the dilemma, said: " Why, the man is so accustomed to being paid for talking that I'll be hanged if I believe he will talk unless he is paid for it. I'll have to pay him a stiff fee to hear the sound of his voice." — Argonaut. Pleasantries. — The second day drew to its close with the twelfth juryman still uncon vinced. "Well, gentlemen," said the court officer, entering quietly, " shall I, as usual, order twelve dinners? " " Make it," said the foreman, "eleven dinners and a bale of hay." — New York Press.
His Occupation. — Magistrate (to prisoner) — What is your occupation? Prisoner — I am a locksmith, your worship. Magistrate — And how came you to be found in a gambling house? What were you doing when the police appeared? Prisoner — Making a bolt for the door. —London Mail. An Apt Comparison. — When Ab del Hakk was poor he was one day travelling across a weary plain, says the author of " Life in Morocco," and was very hungry. So he came to the house of the Widow Zaidah, who was also poor; but when he made known his want she set before him two hard-boiled eggs, all the food there was in her house. Later, when Ab del Hakk lived in Marakesh and was very rich, Meludi, the lawyer, dis liking him, persuaded the Widow Zaidah to sue him for the eggs; but not for the eggs alone, for they would have become two chickens, which in time would have so multiplied that the whole fortune of Ab del Hakk would not now pay for them. When the case came to trial the rich man was not in court. "Why is the defendant not here? " demanded the judge. "My lord," said his attorney, "he is gone to sow boiled beans." "Boiled beans?" "Boiled beans, my lord." "Is he mad?" "He is very wise, my lord." "Thou mockest!" "Surely, my lord, if hard-boiled eggs can be hatched, boiled beans will grow." The suit was promptly dismissed, with costs to the plaintiff. German Lawyers are So Slow. — Chauncey Depew paid $31.75 because his motor car frightened a team in Germany. The remark able thing is that of this the Si. 7 5 and not the $30 was the lawyer's fee. — Kansas City Times. An Eye to Business. —Lawyer: I can get you a divorce without publicity for about a hun dred pounds. Society Woman: How much more will it cost with publicity? — Illustrated Bits.
