BY THE PATIENT'S BEDSIDE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 301, 24 June 1909, Page 7

BY THE PATIENT'S BEDSIDE.

An American, judge was summoned in a great hurry to the bedside of att old, lady, who had managed herself for 40 years, ever since her husband's death. She had two sons and a step-son John, who was not an admira.blo person. After a long drive on a stormy night the judge, found the old lady apparently just .alive, and was told by the doctor in attendance to hurry the husinoiis of t})*» will, as hi.s patient was very weak. .Ho wrote the introductory phrase very rapidly, and loan nig towards her, said : . "i^oav, go on, 31 rs Xnrton." "First of all I want to give the

farm to my sons Harry and James." '•But,'' said the- judge, "you can't do that, Mrs Norton. The farm isn't yours to give away." "This farm that I've run for going on 43 years next spring isn't mine to do what I plca.se with? Why not, judge?" "Why, your 'husband gave you a life estate in all his property, and on your death the farm goes to his son John and your children get the "illage "houses." > Vnd when I die John Norton is *'*- this house and farm, whether to liar© o?" * ' I will or jy. "Just s o/ f oing to die," said - "There I ain't gv '<. ar voice. And the old woman in aCk "^ over £h© saying she "threw her it>. ■ Hored a side of the he<t, sai tip, gat-*. i^ ef ] coverlet about her form, wa*. across' tho room, and sat down in a great chair befoi'e tlie fii'e, — The doctor and the judge went home. That, was fifteen years ago. Tho old lady is alive to-day. She beat John after all. He died' four years ago.