The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-03-17
T described in the com


 mencemeni.
 Clatter. clash. rumble, bang. The cell door closed upon me and was prisoner.
 spare you description of that nigh, of horror. for such il was to one who had never before suffered an hours depriva- ton of liberty-how the monotony Of the long, long hours was only broken al in- tervals by the appearance at the grating, of stern visage, demanding whether all was right" how a, four o'clock a. m.. two fellow-prisoners, in the shapes of drunken scavenger and a deserter from the army, were thrust into the cell, or how in the morning all the cells were emptied, and we, the occupants. with aching bones. unwashed and unkempt, were paraded through the streets, in a melancholy string, to the Tombs. 2
 Fortunately my case came on early, so that had not long to wait among the crowd of dirty, disreputable prisoners.
 At the cry of :. James McELoy' q shuddered to hear my name Tn such place., and my attendant policeman marched into court. At the same mo- ment the prosecutor entered the witness box to be sworn. He was piggish- looking man of about $ years, and no more like Ned Sprucington in front than was like the Worth Monu- ment.
 In few calm, well-chosen words. he described the whole occurrence. When he had finished, was told that could put any questions to him that thought proper. declined to do so. Then, after his evidence had been confirmed by the constable who arrested me, Judge Dowl- ing asked me: "Wcll. my friend, what have you to say to this ?'
 In reply. gave the same simple and unvarnished statement which had al- ready given at the police station.
 ]" That IS all very we'll as far AS il goes but have you any witnesses to charac- ter :"
 .Yes, sir-Mr. Edward Sprucing,on."
 Call Edward Sprucington.
 Then could hear the crier shouting the familiar name through the passages of the court.
 After few minutes 'suspense,,heo official returned, accompanied, to my great de- light, by Ned. The good fellow looked so distressed to see me in such predica- ment, that l felt convinced he would give me dozen umbrellas to have got me out of the scrape. AS soon as he made his appeaTance, noticed that the prosecutor ohanged color; also noticed that while takng the oath, Ned kept one hand behind his back; l could not have told you why. but somehow l de- rived encouragement, from those triflin. circumstances.
 To shorten matters. may say that If had been seraph could no, have re- ceived better character than that given me by Ned. At last came the question. Then you think the prisoner incapable of stealing this umbrella :"
 Well, sir" said Ned, who had recov- cred his self-possesion, if. as l under stand, stealing means taking property from the owner, it is impossible the pris- oner could have committed the theft"
 What hrst-rate advocate Ned was becoming!
 Impossible! Why?"
 from me.'
 I, is an infamous falsehood :" cried the prosecutor, starting up.
 Is it." replied Ned. That person need not be so particular about words. for this is all he left me in exchange at Fox X Nashs.
 With that he produced, amid the laugh ter of the court, what he had hitherto concealed behind his back, namely wooden-handled umbrella. much the worse for wear. of silk. certainly. but not to he compared win the glofcs of the onyx-handled.
 An attempt at buster by the late pos sessor of his umbrella was quietly met by Ned with a reques, that m officer of the court should examine the initials upon tae handle. This was conclusive. The strangers initials were 1T. w." and he had not had time 10 take notice of the minute :" F.. S." cut into ,he onyx stone
 ot course my immediate release fol- lowed upon this discovery, accompanied by the assurance that l left that court without any stain upon my character, etc
 My late prosecutor was glad to sink crestfallen away. yet not before he had received severe rebuke, administered by the magistrate.
 As for Ned, he was overfiowing with gratitude. He declared with tears in his eyes that had been the means of restor- ing to him his lost treasure. What was more. he insisted upon paying the wager had lost, and also of performing the part of Amphi,yon at a capital dinner Tn the evening.-Nrsv lork N<soS.