The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-04-14


81 didn't examine that. 1 hadn't opened
it myself and took it for granted that 1t was
properly locked
Aiming" said Mr.. Falmouth, speaking
slowly and sOlemnly, "when l locked that
safe less than half an hour before handing
you the key yesterday, it contained over fifty
thousand dollars. After your departure this
morning I found it locked as usual, but on
opening it discovered that every cent had
left there was gone. This loss makes beg
gars of my partner and myself, and, what I
still more deplore, must bring distress on
many poor people who had iEtrusted me with
their all" And Mr.. Fairmouth's eyes filed
with tears.
Nathan's face turned white, and he trem-
bled from head to foot.
'In Gods name you-you don't suspect
me, ME Falmouth" he gasped
That gentleman buried his face in his
hands. BE was too agitated to speak,
'The case seems very plain" the Justice
said, a5 length, "and l see but one course
NJ. Falmouth, for you to pursue. If the
loss fell on you alone the question whether
you should prosecute the criminal would con-
Germ yourself alone-though even then, I
think it would be mistaken lenity to hesitate
but to omit your duty as the case stands,
would afford just complaint 20 those who are
ruined through your misplaced confidence in
one who has so wickedly abused it,
II suppose your view is correct" fal-
tered 1IT. Falmouth. "What are the proper
steps TO take?"
Anticipating that the case would turn out
as it has, replied the magistrate, "I have
already prepared an affidavit and warrant.
the former for you to sign and swear to, al
legjng your belief that Nathan Aiming is
guilty OF the robbery the other 1 will then
subscribe and deliver to the constable, who
, will understand his duty"
''But-but I am innocent, cried Nathan,
with frantic agony. 81 Sloear itl-oh my
poor wife 20
Mr. FairmOuth's hand shook as, with half
averted eyes, he wrote his name to the paper
put before him, and it shook more violently
when he arose to swear that what he had
subscribed was true.
The warrant was duly completed and de-
. livered TO the officer, who at once led his
prisoner away.
1t was well be executed his. duty promptly,
for there is no knowing what violence might
have oeen inflicted on the unfortunate young
man by the angry, excited crowd of sufferers
by the robbery when the news Of it had fully
spread.
Falmouth & Finback acted nobly every
body said in suTrendering every cents worth
Of their property, Their assets, it is true,
paid but a pittance Of their debts There
was nothing, indeed, but their stock of goods
which had been bought IN tue east on credit
and remained unpaid for; and was, besides,
. much reduced in amount, not having been
replenished.lately. They had no outstanding
accounts, having pursued the plan OF selling
exclusively for cash. But instead of being
blamed they were universally commiserated.
I even by those who had suffered most through
them.
/ The county town in which AIMING lay in
jail waiting for his trial was twenty miles
. from Glenvile so his wife could visit him
bat seldom. She managed to see hlm at in
tervals, and tried to cheer him with the hope
/ that all would come out right but guilty OF
/ innocent, he shared but little in her hope.
| though it gave him some comfort to know
/ that Fanny thought him innocent.
( She contiyed to scrape together some
I money to employ a lawyer; but when the
/ kind gentleman saw the wan, troubled face
/ and worn apparel, he mOtioned her to put
back the little purse she was opening, and
/ said she might rely on his doing what he
/ could for her husband, though she must be
I prepared to face the worst
! When at last the day of trial came Fanny
/ sat BY her husbands side. Both looked de
/ spondent 1t was plain that they had well
nigh abandoned hope.
! Presently the lawyer who had undertaken
/ Nathan's defence came in and took his seat
by the latter. His face, it was observable,
wore more confident look than one might
suppose comported with the outlook. of his
case.
/ keep up your spirits,'' he whispered to
the forlorn couple ''all is not lost yetT'
The first witness called for the prosecution
was Mr. Farmouth, who minutely detailed
/ the circumstances already related, manifest
ing at several points a disposition to soften
his evidence, and only disclosing the most
damaging facts when urged by repeated
! questions.
At last he was turned over to the prisoners
! counsel for cross examination.
! The latter had very few questions to ask.
! when and how did you come here, Mr.
! Fairmouth2" he asked.
Yesterday. by the stage -coach.''
! "HOw many were in the coach %
| Three myself, Hly partner, Mr.. Finback,
/ and man deaf, dumb and blind, who has
/ been peddling small wares about Glenviue
| lately, but whose name do not know"
! Would you recognize him 2"
| Certainly" replied Mr.. Falmouth, look
I ing little surprised.
The counsel stepped back and led from the
crowd a feebe-looking, shabbily dressed old
man, with green shades over his eyes, and a
long staff in his hand, which he put out be-
fore him as blind people do.
'Ts that the man?"
cit isl replied Mr.. Fairmouth, more sur
prised than ever.
That's all, Mr.. Falmouth -
NT. Finback was called next Having
been at distance at the time of the robbery
he knew nothing of the particulars, person
ally but he cOrroborated his partner as to
the amount of money the firm had on hand,
( and the fact of their being but two keys to
the safe, one Of which he had with him at
the time
The cross examination was substantially
as before.
The prosecution rested.
The prisoners counsel then led forward
the old man with the green shades.
''Please swear this witness, Mr., Clerk he
said