The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-07-20

SIR"
And had the loser of the money
upon the stand again directly.
"You say you missed your pocket
book after leaving the store, sir"
inquired.
''Yes, sir--with seventy dollars in
it."
"YOu are sure you didn't take it oHt
when you went?"
"No, sir, did not"
"You might have done So"
"But didn't, SIR"
"You couldn't have dropped it, then
in your hurry as you went,
"I didn't have it, I left it OH the
counter, near where the boy was put.
ting up goods, and I've no question
that he took it."
"YOu came back how soon?"
"Within five minutes or So"
"And the boy was gone?"
eyes, sir, and the pocket-book, ''ad.
ded the witness, sharply.
"That's all, s:r," remarked.
And the gentleman sat down. ]
had not made much progress as yet
but next asked the lad to stand up,
when spoke to him kindly. and said,
Johnny, why did you hurry out
that night, as soon as the gentleman
left, as he says you did?"
"Cause mother was dreadful sick -
he said tearfully; "and me and my
little brother Neddy, was all that she
had to take care of her. And 1 went
straight home, and didn't know nothin'
about no money of that mans, no way.
"You went home because your
mother was sick. How long has she
been ill ?"
"a good while, SIR"
"But why didn't you return to your
work? Why were you absent three
days just then?"
"Mother's dead, sir" said the boy
sadly.
"When did she die ?"
"That night, sir. And 1 staid away
because 1 had to go to her funeral
with Neddy, and he is all alone now,
sir." r.
"And you know nothing of this lost
!"
L have never seen it in all my life,
sir; and l don't steal nothin'-never,
for poor mother alters said must be
honest, Of 1 starved and God would
know it, eff nobody else found it out !;
an at wicked boys go to the bad place
sir. I never stole nothin', sir-never.
And here the little fellow burst into
tears, and could say no more. While
Il confess i'll was wiping my own
eyes, l observed that his honor was
engaged in the same occupation. But
the courtroom was close, and it was
3 warm day. Perhaps it was perspira-
ton.
"Your honor" said, after mo-
ment of silence and clearing of the
throat, "the prosecution here have
surely no case for conviction. I don't
believe this boy knows any more of
this lost money than you or 1 do. 1t
has not been found in his possession !;
he has had no chance to spend it; no.
body testifies that he ever had 1t, ex-
cept on suspicion ; and I cannot think
your honor will imprison this child,
who has so touchingly, though inno-
Gently explained himself, upon what
is at the most, but circumstantial evil
dence. He says he is parentless, and
think your honor win not doubt this
assertion. The dead mother, whose
form he has just seen laid under the
sod, was plainly good, true, woman,
and Johnny has not been taught at
home to be thief, evidently. 1 crave
the leniency of the court in this lads
behalf, and 1 ask that Johnny may be
since there is no direct ev-
idence against him." ruea
"You can 60. Johnny" said the
clerk, with unusual pleasantness, for
him, q moment afterwards, as the
Judge said something briefly, to his
and Immediately ad-
journed the court, to tho evident as
of the boys accusers.
1 shook the poor fellows hand, took
him out of the courtroom with me,
told him who 1 was, at his own re-
quest, and saw him running down the
street as fast as his little legs could
carry him, soon after this reversed de-
cision of his honor. The result of my
effort in this little affair
was very gratifying to me, for l felt
the boy was innocent. But
the most agreeable part of the case
was yet in store for me. rasrr
About a month afterwards 3 poorly
dressed lad entered my law Office, one
cold, raw morning, cap in hand, whom
1 quickly recognized as johnny, who
said
s.Good mornin'. Mr.. s.. You
was kind enough to help me out in
the court t'other day, SIR"
eyes, remember you. Come te
the fire, Johnny" H,
'ThsDk you sir. It's pooty cold
SIR" III
every. Where's your ovsrcoat?"
"A what, sir7"