The union Democrat., 1870-04-09
Gbe lninn qemutrat.
ArraigaeA for RsrEery-A Thrilling Court
9eeme.


Arraisned for FsrGery-A Thrilling Court
seeae.
There lived in the city of p, in the
State Of Pennsylvania, gentleman on the
shady side of sixty, who, by industry and
economy, had amassed large competence,
sustaining in ell the work Of life character
above Gus spicion. lie was the head Of fine
family, and noted for bic eccentricities and
his peculiar style OF dress, He was stoop-
shouldered, limped little. and for ten years
previous to the time of the scene about to be
narrated wore coat that bad turned red with
age.
IL was in the mieddle of the afternoon Of a
cloudy, dismal day in March lS-, when an
old man entered one Of the banks in the city
named and presented check for payment.
The Cashier took il and raid over to the man
0,OO0, and he descended the steps into the
street.
la less than fye minutes after be had left,
the check was discovered TO be q forgery.
The proper authorities were Immediately
notified by the Cashier, who gave them a de-
scription OF the person. and rigid search
Immediately commenced. In about half an
hour afterward an officer entered the bank
senting him to the Cashier, asked him il that
was the man.
THAT is the man; cannot be mistaken"
he replied. lie eyed him little closer (be-
ing near-sighted) and throwing up his hands,
he exclaimed, "Mr. Rawlins tthe gentleman
alluded TO in the opening Of the narrative.
can it be possible that you have committed
this forgery?' ..tss.tt.
The old man protested his innocence, but
TO no avail for he was led away to prison to
await the sitting of the court.
Ills friends wished TO 60 his bail. but he
obstinately refused release, and lay in Jail
three months.
The day of trial came, and although de-
Tended by the best of legal talent, the evil
dence against him was conclusive, and be was
convicted.
In shat State day was set apcrt in which
the condemned received their sentences.
Il was sentence day. The court room was
filled with spectators. and the friends ami rel
atives of the prisoner. 1t was sorrowful
seene, and among the participants wac the
wife and two lovely daughters of Mr.. Raw
lins, their beautiful faces swollen with weep
ing over the sad fate of their father. One by
0ne the prisoners descended from the box and
received their sentences.
Rawlins was next in turn. There is an
awful sileaee for some moments when the
Judge, ia a ehokiag, trembling voice, for he
was an intimate friend of the condemned,
said:
.sMr. Rawlinsl" I"
He arose and took stand before the Judge.
The Judge proceeded: shave you or any
one in the room reason why the sentence
-of the law should not be passed against your
Here terrible silence ensued, almost par
talyzing the hearts Of MANY anxious friends
when, all at once prisoner in the box-a
young mau-arose and said. 81 have!"
s'Your reason" said the Judge.
'Becaase he is not guilty. Twill explain"
What q mountains weight Of sorrow was
lifted from the hearts Of some by the pro-
,nunciation of these words not guilty.
Proceed proceed !" cried hundred voice3.
"I will. If you will send some reliable
,man--an officer or two-with me to a certain
point on the main highway leading out of the
.citv, under fiat stone of peculiar shape you
will find $4,000 OF the moneys the balance
have lost at faro.'
They started followed by crowd. In an
lhour-an hour Of anxiety and excitement
they returned, and produced the money in
court.
No. Is, atthe Linden House, on A street,
and you will find hair trunk, which you
will bring to me-"
In due time the trunk was brought into
court, and at the previous secret request of
the Judge. through the Sheriff, he and the
trunk was placed in one ante room and Mr..
Rawlins in another.
In q few minutes he, or Mr.. Rawlins, no
one knew which it was, took his place in the
box, and the Judge ordered the Sheriffto sum-
mon the Cashier, which he did.
He now came in.
"Are you the Cashier Of the hank in which
that check was forged for $50, ,0O0?"
~ am, SIR"
"Before passing sentence upon this man |
would have you look at him and tell the Court
that he is tie man." said the Judge.
"He is the man cannot be mistaken,
although am sorry to say it."
Here the prisoner suddenly twitched the
whskers from his face, threw off bis hat and
coat, and stood in his shirt sleeves mere
boy. The Cashier swooued, fell upon the
floor. and was carried out Of the courtroom.
81 am the man," said the prisoner, ''who
did the forging Of that check. came from
England few months ago, determined to
make q raise. knew the man called Raw
lins, and, knowing that he bore good repu-
tation, morally and financially, determined
to personate him if possible, knowing that
the man would be looked at and not the
check. How we'll did it you all know {; but
could not see an innocent man suffer for
crime that / had committed"
Rawlins was discharged and borne of tri-
umphantly on the shoulders of his friends,
and in consideration Of the honesty OF heart
ofthe Young man, the Governor commuted his
sentence from twenty to two years, he having
beon convicted on another charge.
"Lnok here. Pete" said knowing darky;
"don't stand dar on the railroad"
"Why, Joe?"
"Kase, if de cars see that mouf ob yours,
dey .ink it am de depot, and run rite in"