Then Spake the "Dead."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 99, 22 October 1915, Page 2 (Supplement)

Then Spake the "Dead."

It w.v a su't in Chancery, and tlicie was a great gathering of the deceased's family, quarrelling, as relatives will, ovtfr the division of the spoils. The lawyers engaged chuckled, for the suit seemed likely to be prolonged and complicated. . There were many lawyer*, too, and the judge marvelled at the immensity of the deceased man's family as silk and stuff rose in rapid succession, introdming themselves with the usual formula:'-" Ami I, my lord, am for the nephews 'or nieces, or fifteenth cousins removed, a* the case may bo) of the deceased." The procession seemed intermjuable, hut at last it came to an end. Then a small voice was heard timidly saying from the back of the court, 'Mav I bo allowed to -peak, my lord'-" There was dead silence a.- liis lordship adjusted his spectacles and asked rather dejectedly,

'•'Who are von?" The answer was. to siy the lc-.v-L unexpected, "I am the deceased, my lord," said the rr.odest voice from the hack of the court. Thai eadvd the action.

Quite unknown to \\i< relatives, iue "deceased" had turned up ijrom tho wildts of Rhodevia. Obviously a man of hnmour. he must have taken a (blight in watching how "tin- best-laid schemes of mice and men gang nit