Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-10-10


very impress Of the fingers inside the
coil.
Every one was astonished at the de-
velopment Henry ID. had always sus-
tanned good character. He was never
known to drink before or since the night
of the ball was well OFF, his father hav-
ing left him by viii large, well stocked
farm. He was an only son, the idol of
an aged mother. and withal he was
about to be married to the young girl
he had taken to the ball. He was uni
versally popular among the people, and
the discovery fell upon the quiet village
like q flash of lightning from clear
sky. ---;am w, the owner of the
store, made complaint, charging Henry
with the crime of larceny and burglary.
Henry was arrested and committed to
jail to await a hearing, as he either
would not or could not give any salts
factory explanation about the handker-
chief.
Thus the case stood, when one even
ing, as L was sitting in my Office cont
muning with myself and my meer-
schaum, I heard light knock at my
door; I opened It, and very pretty
young girl entered and inquired if I
was the lawyer who cleared persons
accused of crime. told her that was
lawyer, and that I sometimes defended
persons on criminal charges-that is,
when l was perfectly satisfied that they
were innocent (O "But he is innocent"
she replied with emotion; che never
committed crime in his life; he is an
hny1oCf ~
do mean thing
Poor child thought-what pity it
is that your idol is made Of clay.
Igave her seat, and inquired who
the person was who was so fortunate as
to enlist the services of SO effective an
advocate in his behalf.
"Was he q brother?"
"No," she answered she is no re-
lation to me-" and her beautiful lips
quivered, while blush, red as the hue
of the morning, stole over her cheek.
"Why do you feel so much interested
in one accused of crime, and who is no
relation to you?" I inquired with
malicious satisfaction, when remem-
bered that was getting old and had lost
all those charms for which was SO emf
menu IN my youth ~
"Who is hep" I again inquired, as
she hesitated to answer my former gues-
ton.
Henry D., of the town of s.,
and he is accused of robbing a store"
she replied at length "but he is. not
guilty, [ know he is not It cannot be
possible he would do such a thing"
els he the son of David D., my old
friend and schoolmate, who died few
years ago." I asked.
Yes, she said, and then, IN a voice
broken with sobs of anguish, she related
the occurrence I have narrated. She
further informed me that his mother was
living, but in very feeble health, and
that she did not know of the accusation
against her son that the neighbors had
taken care not to let the terrible secret
enter her sick-room, for fear that it
would kill her; and, "Oh p said the
young girl, "Henry was always such
good young man he never drank before
the night of the ball in his life. o, can
you clear him ?" she asked, looking at
me with such pleading expression of
countenance that, although [ am not
very susceptible to female influence and
charms (?), it went directly to my heart,
and then, by circuitous route, reached
my brain some minutes aftel and, when
she again asked me if I could clear him,
l was ready to say yes, most emphatic
ally, although could not see how it was
to be done.
Invent with her to the Jail, and had
an interview with Henry, fne-looking
young man, whose open, Ingenious
countenance gave the lie to the charge
against him, no matter what the circum-
stances might indicate.
He told me he had never taken half-a-
dozen drinks of liquor in his life, had
no taste or desire for it, and only drank
on the night of the ball because it was
free; every one was drinking, and he
was urged to drink by the proprietor
and number of his friends. He said
that after he became intoxicated he did
not remember what happened, but had
an indistinct recollection of cutting his
hand, and said it seemed to him that he
and another young man, who was also
drunk, went to Williams store and took
the goods. The young man he thought
was with him denied it, and Henry
would not tell his name, for, said he,
neither of us could have intended to
steal the goods. would not take Will
Jams whole stock as gift. I could
not use them; they are coarse and
cheap, and only intended for canal-boat
trade. But am afraid took them, for
the more think of it the more seem
to recollect it; yet never thought of it
until the goods were found, and my
handkerchief among them then It
seemed to come to me like the recollec-
tons of hak-forgotten dream
The young girl and myself left the
cell; that is, left first, and just now,
while think Of it, I believe she re-
manned behind moment. I thought I
heard faint sound like an echo from
my young days. But I am ready to tes-
tify in any court where the question
may become important that I don't re-
member what it sounded like. Perhaps
it was the click of the door-latch, al
though am afraid there is no door
latch ON the door of prison-cell; but
no matter, only it made me more de-
termined to procure his acquittal if it
was con the cards."
While returning to my Office, an idea
struck me with considerable force. The
phenomenon WAS so unusual that I re-
member it distinctly.