Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/182

 on the side of his house, on a fence, or to spell it in colored pebbles on his lawn. But if a man utilizes the method in controversy it would seem he were guilty of contributory negligence—'

"‘That's right, jedge,' cheered Mr. Turner, enthusiastically.

"‘Silence in the court. Oyez, oyez, and oyez!' I warned, beginning to feel saucy from my semi-official position.

"‘But his negligence does not necessarily invalidate his will,' concluded Tib, heavily. 'He is merely taking a chance.'

"‘Hooray!' cheered Hiram.

"‘Charge up five dollars against that person if he becomes ebullient again, Billy,' directed the court.

"‘If the court please,' soared Mr. Remmy, after whispering in his clients' ears, 'we contest the will on the ground the signature is forged. We have samples of the alleged testator's handwriting here and would offer them in evidence.'

"Tib looked puzzled for a moment, and finally conceded that the contestants were entitled to dispute and disprove the signature by offering genuine specimens of the decedent's chirography in evidence, and the defendants patted each other on the back in glee. 'But,' added my Daniel, 'the contradictory evidence'—and here the pages of Noah's big book buzzed busily as Tib raced through the ponderous