The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1856-08-13

AlF. DenleV WAS eHCjOSlHg hundred uol-
lar bill in letter to send away by mall at the
desk where Richard was writing, when run
away horse dashed by the store. He flew to
the door to observe the mad animal, leaving
the hundred dollar bill, as be hedccfared, and the
half-written letter on the desk.
Con his return the money was nowhere to be
found, Richard had not seen it. Search was
instituted, but it could not be found. 1t hap
pened that our landlord, who is brother-in-
law of Mr.. Denley, wished to change a hun
dred dollar bill, and casually mentioned that
he had received it from Richard in payment
for his rent, which had been delayed for sew
eral days.
s.Mr. Denley Immediately identified the bill
as the one he had lost. An officer was called,
and poor Richard was thrown into prison. OF
course he could not produce the person who
lent him the money, and Mr.. Denley chose to
regard Richards explanation as mere in
vention."
It was heavy blow to the poor girl, and
heavier still to the sick and suffering mother.
Itcertainly looked like badcase. The young
mans sadness in view of his unpaid bills his
sudden cheerfulness, thoughthe debt itself still
remained, and worse than all, the positive ma
ture of Mr.. Denley's evidence, were all against
a successful defence. But had hope Of get
ting him off, for the identity of the bill, unless
actually registered by number, was a matter to
which few could positively swear. "
l made up my mind to clear him, if there
was such thing-even to clear him on quib-
bic, if no other means offered. Ihad little hope
Of establishing his innocence, for my reason as
sured me that Richard, good son though he
were, was guilty of the crime with which he
was charged.
succeeded SO well in assuring Alice Wade
that her brother would be restored to her, that
she was toerably cheerful before she left
"You are very kind, Mr. Docket, and fear
we shall never be able fully to repay you
Here are twenty dollars, it is all we have; but
you are very kind" and she rendered me a
roll of bills.
"No, MissWade, nothing. Keep yourmoney
you may want it, though I pray that you may
not'
She took her leave, after thanking me again.
and proceeded to consider the case.
[ need not detail to the reader the particu-
lars Of fRichardWade's examination, upon which
he was fully committed. The grand jury found
true bill, and he was arraigned for trial.
All that my poor skill and humble eloquence
could accomplish for the prisoner was unsuc-
cessful, and, to my grief and CONSERVATION, the
jury brought him in guilty, after being out five
hours.
Poor Alice! could not endure the thought
of meeting her and telling her of the destruc-
ton of all her hopes; and instead of going to my
office, where l. knew she awaited my coming,
[ took Mr.. Denley's arm, with the intention of
getting him to make a statement by the aid Of
which mitigation of the unfortunate young
mans sentence might be obtained. Almost un-
consciously led him into Parker's, where we
seated ourselves at "a table, and called for
lunch.
at is a very hard case, Mr. Denley," said I.
"PoorWade's mother will suffer more thanhe "
Il know it; but one cannot submit to be plum
dered in this manner. Besides, it is duty we
owe to society to assistin furnishing the guilty"
"True; but after all, Mr.. Denley, you may
be mistaken about the bill'
"Mistaken! Impossible! I am sure of the
bill Itwas the same one; if there had been a
particle of doubt about it, | should not have
sworn to it, of course
cit might have blown out of the window"
''The window was closed"
to take such an opportunity of robbing you,
when, as you testified, he handled hundreds of
dollars of your money every day. If he had
meant to rob you, itseems to me he would have
chosen better opportunity.''
''Ihe fact is undeniable.'
"Oh, no; I could mention dozen palmer
cases than this, where innocent men have been
punished"
e'There is no chance for mistake
"You might have thrust the bill in your pock
ct and lost it''
''But the same bill reached me again thro'
my brother-in- law, who received it fromWade," ,"
he replied, involuntarily thrusting his hands into
his vest pockets"
Suddenly / observed nervousness in his
manner, and with both hands he began to FUN
BILE with great violence at the left hand pocket
He had thrust one finger through hole near
the top of the pocket, and was exploring the
recess inside of the lining of the garment
"My God," exclaimed he, suddenly rising
from his chair, in the highest excitement, while
with nervous twtch he tore away the pocket,
and drew out a bit of crumpled paper
My heart leaped as his trembling hand un
folded the paper. 1t was hundred dollar bill!
tGod forgive me- exclaimed he, and bis
cheek glowed with shame
5"You were mistaken then?'
'1was; come to the Judge with me, Docket, -
and he rushed fu1iously towards the courthouse.
need not inform the reader by what formal
ities the Judgment was reversed-but it was
done at once-perhaps some violence was done
to the forms; but Richard Wade walked with
me to my office, where he was clasped in the
arms of his loving and devoted sister.
lie was saved! He was innocent! What a
thrill ofjoy ran through the veins ofthe fair girl!
We were Immediately joined by Mr.. Den
ley, who took to himself much blame for the
part he had acted. He apologised in very
humble terms to his book keeper.
You meant right, Mr.. Denley," said Rich
ard, taking his proffered hand in token of his
forgiveness.
Il was wrong, and the events of this day
have taught me lesson, which [ shall never
forget, replied the merchant. II shall make
such amends as are in my power, and begin
by raising your salary"
THANK you, sir, you are too kind. My in /
nocence is established, which is of more conse
quence to me than ANYTHING else''