Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-04-27
THE JUDGES STORY

tice," commenced the Judge, lighting
a cigar, Il was admitted and opened
an Office in the village-now city of
c., in the spring of l85-. ! had
but little business and the case you
have mentioned proved to be the key to
my future success, It was Christmas
eve; I was sitting in my Office, trying
to keep comfortable; the clock already
pointed to 1890, when the door opened
and the keeper of the county jail
entered,
ga cold night, Mr. c." he res
marked.
81 CURLY assented, wondering what
errand had brought him to me so late
I at night.
"Well,' said he, "we haye guest
at our house who is quite anxious to
see you, and requested me to bring you
up to him if you had not retired.
Il gladly put on my coat to accom-
pany the jailoT, for | needed every cent
| could earn just then, and announced
myself ready to start. It was not far
to the Jail and we soon arrived there
After unlocking the usual number Of
iron doors the jailor admitted me to the
prisoners cell, and remarked that when
l was ready to go be would come and
let me out. The huge iron door closed
with a clang, the bolt was sprung, and
I was alone with my would be client
AS had supposed,as soon as the jailor
was out of hearing, the prisoner came
forward. He was young, gentlemanly
appearing fellow, apparently about
twenty-four years of age. Extending
his hand to me be said
II am glad to see you, Mr.. c.,
you are indeed kind to come to me at
this untimely hour, bnt I wanted to
talk TO some one, feel that you would
take an interest in my case. | have
been arrested for the murder of Mr.
Richards, the President OF the Farmers
Bank Of X g, and for the robbery
osc the bank. Will you not lend me
your assistance?"
81 assured him that would do all ii
my power for him if he desired to re.
tain me. He Suddenly interrupted Inc
by saying
81 beg your pardon, | do wish TO re
tain you, to defend me in my trial, and
trial, OF course, must take place,
saying which he handed me five gold
doubled eagles.
81 have heard but few of the circum
stances Of the tragedy, he continued
'as it occurred this very evening, and |
fear there are some things that will ap
pear to be against me, bnt trust you
will bring me oat all right. Do all you
can, sir, employ more counsel, If neces
sary. but clear me, for I am innocent.
~ assured him that | had no doubt
bat we could clear him, and added
Tell me what you know OF the case,
and. the circumstances that you think
appear against you
"Well, had quarrel with Mr.
| y.ha do lost h.,f J. IL lo ~
long. | will tell you the story, sir, I
am clerk in the Farmers Bank of
K, of which Mr.. Richards is
President. have been employed there
nearly five years, and / think | have
attended to my duties to the entire
satisfaction OF all the officers of the
bank, and have been liked very much
by them all, particularly by the Presi-
dent, who has invited me to his house
a great many times. Now, Mr.. Rich
ards had daughter several years
younger than anu, lady with whom
have not only become intimately ac-
quainted but for whom have conceived
strong attachment. Her father dis
covered that | was deeply in love with
| Clara Richards, and saw, | presume,
that she was not wholly Indifferent to
me. Last Sunday dined at their
house, by invitation of Mr.. Richards,
and during the evening | told Clara
the state of my feelings, and was over
| ioyed to learn that she reeiprocated my
love. We agreed that | should ask her
fathers consent to our engagement and
to our marriage as soon as should be
able to support wife. You see, sir, l
am telling you ALL said the prisoner.
| "That is right, said !; in fact it is
all important that yoa should tell me
ALL
"Last evening ! called upon Mr.
Richards, and bodily asked his consent
to our engagement. He was very
angry, and said was an ilnpndont
fellow declared should never speak
10 Clara again and, in shorl, he insulted