The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1875-04-14


to the merchant, who had been nearly
distracted by his great loss. His now
greatest trouble was 10 find another clerk
as competent as Will, to fill the position
the latter had forfeited ~ 3. :. - q
The news of the whole affair spread
like wild-fire over the city. Everybody
expressed surprise when told that Will
Neville had robbed the safe of his employ-
er. Some would not believe it until they
could find no sensible grounds for further
disbelief The hitherto good name OF
William Neville was covered with re-
proaehes and epithets. The story of the
robbery and Willis disgrace was in the
mouth of every gossip, and they ceased
slandering their neig bors for a short time
to talk OF this new affair, and set ahoat
numerous absurd rumors in regard to it.
AS the news flew overthe city, it reached
the ears of Laura. It gave her such a
shock as to require all her powers of self
control to smother shr2 q ofagony. Her
heart gave one great bo.sId Pas Is about TO
burst, and then stood still as death. She
never knew till that moment how devoted-
ly she loved Will. She felt then that she
would willingly die, if it would prove Will
as clear of. the charge as she supposed
him to be-. She would not, could not be-
lieve him guilty In fact she almost
knew in her heart that he was guiltless
She longed for the dinner hour, when she
should see her father and learn the par
| ticulars from him. When that time came,
she had hard work to hide the true state
of her feelings from Charlie and her faith
er. She succeeded, however, in doing so.
until told where Wills ticket had been
| found. She had not heard of that till
then, and it was more than she could
bear. As the tears ran down her now
pale cheeks, she. in a voice OF the deepest
grief, cried out: ''-'-@H ~ '
;,Ol father, there is some terrible mis-
takel know that he never stole that
money! His honor is as bright as the
MONDAY sun, and feel confident that the
mystery will be cleared up when be is
brought in this evening" --..a
Hush. Laural" commanded her father,
angrily. you do not know what you
are saying. The proofs are too strong
against him for his mother to doubt-that
is, if she were alive" ,=t..f..
Laura, still weeping. left the room, and
the merchant and his clerk started togeth~
er to the store. -
81 perceive that Will was more danger
GUS as rival than l thought him to be-"
unused Charlie, to himself, but no remark
was made by either concerning Laura's
conduct
The circuit court was.then in session,
and Mr.. Winter, in order to have the af-
fair speedily terminated, went before the
grand jury with the ticket, and after max
ing statement of the, facts, an indicts
ment was found against William Neville
for grand larceny. This indictment was
lodged with the circuit court clerk, togeth-
er with that fateful ticket, and bench
warrant was Immediately issued by that
officer The bsil wac fixed at two thou-
sand dollars.
When the train arrived at the depot,
the sheriff of Jefferson county was there,
armed. with his writ, and formally took
charge of Will, releasing from duty those
who had guarded him from Bowling
Green. Will was pitiful looking object.
All buoyancy of spirit, which heretofore
had been one of his chief characteristics,
now seemed TO be crushed out of him,
and he looked more like dead man than
live one. ... .....!... ....
The sheriff, more through politenesss
than any other cause, asked Will if he
could give the required bail
"NoP replied Will in a sad voice, 81 do
not suppose l could. My friends-I mean
those who have been my friends-are also
the friends of my accuser and will most
likely believe the charge he has brought
against me. l will make no attempt to
give bail. / will go to Jail, and perhaps
| shall not be the only innocent person it
has held. There is one favor would ask
of you. That is to go with me by the
office of Mr.. Kinney, as yon conduct me
! to Jail. He has been firm friend of mine,
but it is not on the score of friendship that
/ wish to see him. Hell an able lawyer,
and / wish to employ him to defend me-"
The sheriff willingly acceded to this
request, and as they entered the office of
that eminent lawyer and highly respec-
ted gentleman, he met Will with out-
stretched arms, exclaiming ~.
"Will, OIL Will, what mystery is this?
for | know that you have not done the
thing you are accused OFF,
Thank you! thank you for those words,
for l am Innocent" cried Will and as he
sank to seat and buried bis face in his
hands, the tears gushed from his eyes
and dropped to the floor. -
Courage! courage!' cried the lawyer
"You are not CONDEMNED yet, nor shall you
te If | can prevent it. Come, cheer up, so
we can talk OF business. Have you given
bail YETI"
NO" replied Will wiping his eyes.
/ "Then write the hond - said Mr. Kim
ney to the sheriff, "and | will sign it as
surety"
at is pretty high bail-two thousand
dollars" said the sheriff 90
mo matter how high it is / am good
for it, and | will pledge my life, if neces-
sary, for his appearance at trial." replied
the lawyer. !.
Will attempted to express his thanks
for this unasked favor, but Mr.. Kinney
would not allow him. The bond was soon
arranged, and the sheriff departed. Then
the lawyer and his client sat down to talk
the matter over, and arrange for the com,
ing trial, which was set for the third day
from the one of which we are writing
They however could do but little without
knowing what proof they would have To
combat. Neither OF them then knew that
the ticket had been found near the rifled
safe. True, Win had missed it soon alteI
lie had left the house of Mr.. Winter on
his way TO the depot, and he suppose,
he had dropped it before leaving the house
but he did not turn back for it for fear 0
and paid his fare after entering the cars
IA. 81 L.