Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-06-21

cry dangerously so, suggested the
court. civily.
IL admit that, your honor, replied,
frankly. And though it is scarcely
in the ordinary rules of court ut this
last stage of business, pray the court
to allow me, on the trembling boys be-
half, to ask the last witness III this case
il few brief questions
Certainly there is no objection, sir,
said the Judge.
And had the loser Of tie money
upon the stand directly.
"lou say you missed your pocket
book after. leaving the store, sir" | in
qured.
Yes, sir-and with $40 III il Z
You arc sure you didn't take it
with you when you went? ~
No, sir, did not.
You might have done 50 =
But | didn't. sir. =
You couldn't have dropped it, then,
i'll your hurry, as you went ~
:" ! did not have it, left it upon the
counter near where the boy was putting
up the goods, and | have no question he
took it"
You came back; how soon?'
Within five minutes or So
"And the boy was gonc?o
"Ycs, sir; and the pocketbook, said
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 to him kindly, and said
" johnny, why did you hurry out that
night, rs he SAYS you did n
"'Cause mother was dreadful sick,
said he tearfully;;" an my little Neddy
was all that she had to take care OF her.
An went straight home and didn't
know nothin' bout no money no
way"
"You went home because yoIr
mother was sick. How long has she
been sick 2
"A good while, sir.
But why didn't you return to your
work? Whywere you absent three days
Just them
Mothers dead, SIR said the boy
sadly.
When did She die"
That night, sir. An | staid away
because had to go to her funeral with
Neddy. an he's all alone now, sir "
And you know nothing of this lost
pockct-book -
:" I've never seen it in all my life, sir;
am don't steal nothin'-never, for my
mother SAID allus must bc honest ef |
starved; an God would know it if no
body else found it out; AN at wicked
boys go to bad place. sir never stole
nothin', sir-pcver
And here the little fellow burst into
tears and could say no more. While
IL confess twas wiping my own
eyes, briefly | observed that his honor
was actually busily engaged III the same
occupation. But the court room was
close and it was a warm day. Perhaps
il was perspiration.
Your honor" ! said, after moment
of silence and clearing Of throat, the
prosecution here have surely no cause
knows any more Of this money than
YOU or do. III has not been found In
his possession; he had 10 chance to
spend it: 10 one testiiies that he had it,
except on suspicion and Icannot think
your honor will llimprison the child, who
has 70 touehingly, though innocently,
explained himself, upon what j., at
most, but eircumstantlal evidence. He
says he is parentless, and do not think
that your honor Will doubt the asscr-
tion. Tie dead mother, whose form TIE
has just laid under the sod, was plainly
a good, true woman, and John had not
been taught at home 70 be thief, eyl-
IDENTIFY | crave the leniency of the
court Ill TIL. lads behalf, and ask that
Johlny may lie discharged. since
there is no direct evidence against
him
You can go, johnny, said tile clerk,
with unusual pleasantness for him, q mo.
ment afterwards, as the judge said
something briefly t. his subordinate,
and Immediately adjourned the court
to tie evident astoni.ilncnt III tie boy's
aecuscr
/ shook the little fellows hand and