South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-04-26

" '"
No sir, did not
You might have done so,
But didn't, sir
You couldn't haze dropped it. then,
In your hurry as you went?'
s didn't have it. left it on the
Counter. near where the boy was putting
up the goods, and I've no question that
he took it
on came back; how soonl
Whhin five minutes or so.'
And the boy was gone"
les, sir, and the pocketbook,' added
the witness sharply.
That's all, SIR 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, AMI said:
Johnny why did you hurry out that
night lie says you didY
cause mother was dreadful sick said
he tearfully AN me an my little Ned
dy was all that sue had to take care of
her. An L went straight home and
didn't know nothin' bout no money no
way
You went home because your moths
er was sick. How long has she been sick?
a good while, SIR
but why didn't you return to your
work! Why were you absent three days
just then p
Mothers dead, sir said the boy sadly.
When did sue die?'
cause had to go TO her funeral with
Neddy, an he's all alone now sir?
And you know nothing of this lost
pUcketbook?'
i have never seen it in all my life,
sir; an | don't steal nothin'-reyer,
for poor mother allus said must be
honest if starved and God would
know it If nobody else found it out !; an
1T wicked boys go to the bad place, sir.
never stole nothin' sir-never.
And here the little fellow burst into
tears, and could say no more While |
-l-copfess twas whipping my own
eyes, briefly, l observed that his honor
was actually busily engaged in the same
occupation. But the court room was
close, and it was warm day. Perhaps
1t was perspiration.
Your honor / said, after moment
of silence and clearing Of the throat,
the prosecution here have surely no
cause for conviction. don't believe this
boy knows any more of this lost money
than you or do. Ii has not been found
III his possession he had 10 chance to
spend it; no one testiiies that he ever
had 1T. save on suspicion and cannot
think your honor will impIison this child
who has SO touchingly though Innocent
ly explained himself, upon what is, ut
the most, but circumstantial evidence.
lie says he is parentless and think
your honor will not doubt this assertion.
Fhe dead mother, whose form he has
just laid under the sod was plainly
good, true woman. and John had not
been taught at home 10 be thief. evil
IDENTIFY. [ crave the lenency of the
court in this lads bchalf,and l ask that
johnny may be discharged, since there is
no direct evidence against him.
You can go, Johnny said the clerk,
with unusual pleasantness for him,
moment afterwards; as the Judge said
something briefly to his subordinate.
and Immediately adjourned the court,
to the evident astonishment Of tile BOYS
accuser.
shook tie poor fellows hand, took
him out Of the court room with me. told
him who l was, nj his own request. and
saw him running down the street as
fast as his little legs would carry him
soon after the reversed decision of his
honor. The result of my voluntary eff
fortin this affair was very gratifying to
me, for felt assured the boy was inno-
cent. But the most agreeable part Of
tue case, vas yet in store for me.
About q month afterwards poorly
dressed lad entered my law Office, one.
cold, raw morning, cap in hand, whom |
quickly recognized as Johnny, who said ::
Good morning, Mr. s.. You was
kind enough to hell me out, in the court
tothcr day, sir
Yes, l remember you. Come TO the
fire. johnny
Thank you, sir. It's pooty cold, sir
Very. where's your overcoat.'
"A what sir?'
Your coat. Outside Jacket
Bless you, hain't got none. But
don't mind it. I'm used to it, sir.
only came 20 thank you sir. an ~ tell
you that it's al right about the pockets
book. The mans found It,
Where? How" asked, with deep
interest.
We'll, did itup IN my hurry TO get Off
that night, in one OF his big bundles that
he bought lie didn't find it for week.
COS TIC didn't open the parcel at home
that il got worked into somehow, don't
know how. But he went and told my
master about it-who turned me Oft, YOU
know, for stealth il, when | didn't
know nothin' bout itA-and one Of the
shop-boys told me Of it yesterday.
i congratulated the lad, and then in.
duced him TO give me bis history.
lie was now on orphan-an intelli-
gent but uneducated boy, and one who
had been bred in poverty, but honesty.
His good mother counsels & teachings
bad had a salutary effect upon his mind.
and an influence which was lasting. I
conceived. He was ont of work and