Page:The Life of Lokamanya Tilak.djvu/143

 "(Thereupon) Messrs. Tilak and Khaparde, accompanied by the widow, went to Aurangabad and selected five boys within the circle of relationship. The boys stayed with the widow for several days, being entertained and kept under observations. Certain astrologers cast the horoscopes of the children. These proved favourable to (the appellant) Jagannath; and her personal likings appeared to point in the same direction. All this course of conduct pointed to the entire acquiescence on the part of the widow in the Testators' wishes and directions, and so far there is no substantial suggestion to the contrary. On June 27th (therefore) a meeting of the Shastris and of other persons in Aurangabad was summoned. The father of the boy being present, it was announced by the trustees that the boy was selected. The father was taken to the widow; she asked him to give her his boy in adoption and he agreed. The fact was announced to the assembled guests and there and then, the duplicate deeds of adoption were drawn up, both intended to be signed and attested by the widow. (Another) document was a letter from the widow, addressed to the father and agreeing to take the boy in adoption. So far as giving and receiving of the child, these documents were prepared for and pointed to actual adoption in fact.

"The preparation of the documents, however, occupied time and the hour being late, the proceedings were stopped but were resumed early next morning. A gathering was accordingly again held early on the 28th. The deeds of adoption and the letter were duly executed, the boy was given in fact by his