The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-07-20
Who Stole the Money?

Who Stole the Money
have learned, in tho course of my
legal experience, that circumstantia
evidence alone is dangerous theory
upon which to base conviction in Grim
inal cases. have known severa
grossly wronged through this means
very plausible instance, remember
being in substance as follows
A pale, scared boy, some fourteen
years old, was brought into the mu
nicipal Court, in a neighboring city
one morning, evidently in great tribu'
lation, who was arraigned upon 6
charge oftheft in his employers store
"What is your Manner" asl ed the
judge, quietly.
"Johnny Riggs" said the bow hum
bly,.
"Where do you live?'
"Down't North End, sir"
"Now, Mr.. Clerk, what is this case ?'
said the judge. with some interest.
"The old story, your honor" replied
the clerk, familiarity. Thieving. He's
stolen a pocket book and won't give
any account of it."
"Where are the witnesses 2"
"Here, your honor, The loser of
the money and the boys late employ
er."
"Has he no counsel-no friend in
court p:
IL haven't seen any, your honor
and he don't look as if he were over
burdened in that way" replied the
clerk, sarcastically.
proceed with the evidence"
The child's employer took the stand
first, and stated the case.
He was a we'll dressed man, but had
hard features worldly-minded, sell
disappearing person--and thus testi-
fed
"a stranger came into my store,
your honor, to make purchase. He
paid me thirty dollars, ordered his
goods sent home, and went out, but
soon returned for his pocket-book,
which he missed directly, and was
certain he had left it on the counter
carelessly. This boy, Johnny,yonder,
had been with me but a few weeks,
and L noticed that he hurried away
out of the shop Immediately, and 1
did not see him for three days after
wards. There was nobody in the
store at the time but Johnny and me.
The money was gone and I didn't
steal it. He has been able to give no
account Of it, or, rather, refused to do
so, and there can be no doubt that he
1s the thief. I took him out of the
street and set him to work, out of
charity, and this is the return he
makes me. He was poor vagrant,
and has deceived me-"
SIS that all, sir 2"
"Yes, your honor"
The owner of the lost money then
stated that the merchants testimony
was correct. He had lost seventy
dollars in the manner described-that
he saw no one in the store but the boy
and his master, and the lad had dis
appeared on his immediate return to
the store, upon discovering his loss,
He was very positive he had not taken
his wallet with him, but remembered
Just where he had left it upon the
counter, and where this Johnny was
engaged in putting up the goods. He
had no shadow of doubt that he had
purloined it, and got away with it
during his brief absence, for he had
not been seen about his business for
three days afterwards, by anybody
and he noticed that the boy seemed
uneasy and restless during his stay
there. He could not afford to lose this
money. and thought such young
rogues should be made an example of.
':Now, my boy" said the judge,
shave you anything to 'say? You
have heard the testimony of your
former employer. and this person who
lost his money, and the case is very
much against you. Do you wish to
say anything, or to explain, eh?"
The little fellow was SO much
alarmed at the apparent severity of
his honor, though he was a just man
and a good Judge. and did not intend
to intimidate the culprit at all, as l
knew from long acquaintance with
his grave and sterling characteristic
boy was so confounded that he SAID
mo, sir, can't"
"It's kind of case," said his honor,
''that is getting lamentably common
among us, and we must do our duty,
in the en- deavor to check the growth
of this evil. Mr.. Clerk, shall COM
init this boy to the House of Correc-
ton for year."
And the judge rose to adjourn his
court.
"May it please your honor" said,