St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-11-02
ROMANCE OF A PARDON.

iAIoany special 10 Louisville Courter-Journal-
Some discussion has recently taken place
regarding pardon which the Governor has
refused TO grant. In fact. he decides against
granting pardons every day, but these do not
usually get into print. One OF them, however,
which he did grant some months ago has
never been published, nor did he, as is usu-
al with him print the reasons. They would
not now De allowed to be given, if there was
any probability that the actual names con-
cerned, as even the places where the incl
dents occurred, should be correctly given.
The story Is true romance, probably sell
dom equalled in the most emotional fiction.
Early last spring young man named for
the present purposes, Smith, was employed
as gardener by a very wealthy gentleman,
20 be called for the present purposes, Mr..
Jones, who lived we viii say on the Hudson,
near New York. lie was discovered one
afternoon by Mr.. Jones, on his unexpected
return from the city. in the very act Of steal
ing from Mrs. Jones' room with some Of her
iewelry in his possession and her bureau
drawer opened and rifed. He was seized
and charged with burglary, and after vain
endeayOrs to escape, admitted his guilt and
was imprisoned. OMrs- Jones was greatly
distressed when she heard of il, and begged
hard that he be not prosecuted. as he was
great favorite, being youth only nineteen,
Of very handsome presence and well edu-
Gated. She pleaded so strongly with Mr..
Jones that he sought 10 hush the matter up,
but other servants had been witnesses 10 the
disturbance at his detection aud they be-
gan 20 talk so freely Of young Smiths guilt
that the authorities compelled him to enter
complaint. Smith was lodged In jail, had
an early trial, promptly confessed his guilt
and was sentenced TO five years in Sing Sing.
Mrs. Jones was so overcome W it'll grief that
she was too sick to attend the trial even 10
identify the jewelry. After be had been in
Sing Sing few months, Smith was trans
ferred, at his own renuest to Auburn.
A few months ago lady, heavily yelled,
called to see the Governor and was received
by him at his public desk. Without unyeil-
ing she said that she came to see him about a
pardon. He asked her the particulars Of the
case, and she stated that Of young Smith, as
above narrated.
son what grounds do you ask for par
done" said the Governor.
''He is innocent" she said, family.
"Can you prove thatl Nothing more is
needed than proof TO that fleet" answered
the Governor.
''Yes-I can prove it,
''Then could possibly grant him new
trial, but that would be the most / could do
II your new evidence is sufficient, that viii
be all you want What evidence have your
''He did not take the jewelry"
"If l remember rightly, he pleaded
guilty"
''But he is not guilty, Governor; indeed
he is not guilty."
"Are you a relation of hisi''
''Yes, SIR" she replied, 81 am his sister. ("
''Well, well" said the Governor, some
what blufiy, ''you see the Dlstrict-Attorney,
lay your evidence before him, and on his
sending it to me, 1 will usider the applica-
ton"
The lady fingered, and in trembling
voice and low tone said:
Can l not speak to you alone on this
matterl'
Somewhat perplexed the Governor escorted
her into an inner room, when an astounding
story was told him by a beautiful woman in
great mental anguish. She, too, was guilty,
She loved the handsome gardener, and she
was the wife whose whose jewels had been
stolen. Upon the verge Of a discovery OF
| their secret by the husband, no means OF
| egress for the young lover which would not
be seen and excite suspicion If not be proof,
she had hastily hidden herself in closet
while he had broken open the drawer Of the
bureau and seized the jewels just in time to
/ give the astOnished husband a wrong clue 10
the meaning of his presence there. The lady
told her story with her face buried in her
hands and trembling violently.
''FOr all these mOnths,' she said at last,
/ getting down on her knees, she has been
suffering there for me and can do nothing
but beg for him."
II was many moments before the Govern
OF could reply. He is an impressionable man
and this case OF distress moved him very
much. Presently he said:
MADAM, If your story is true it will be-
come my duty to pardon him as not guilty OF
the crime for which he Is charged. But
must have absolute proof that is true, aud
must have proof that you are the person you
represent yourself to be-"
She made gesture.
''Wait a moment. I must also requir,
him, if pardOned, TO absent himself from tn,
country for at least the rest of his term, anC
l must be convinced from him that he die
act, as you say, solely in order to save you. .
Some days later one of the Governors per
soual staff was quietly stopping at small
hotel in the village near which Mr.. Jone.
was living, In the afternoon wa!
l W-A~tA NReA rUuNS III
in a coupe, who, upon introducing himself
warmly in v!ted the staff officer 10 dine Will
him at IFS home. At the head OF the tablt
sat queenly besuty-the heroine of th,
mysterious visit TO the Governor. She wal
and agitated and managed with difficulty Il
act her part rs hostess.
4 few weeks later yelled lady called in
closed coupe upon the Warden Of Auburn
Prison. Without the interchange of wor,
the Warden conducted her 10 q small parlor
where she was left entirely alone. In a mo
ment the door was opened, and young mar
clad in an ordinary citizens suit entered tn
room. No one came with him, and the doc
was closed rs soon as be entered. In mo
ment he recognized the figure before him
He sprang forward.
"For Heavens sake" he said, ''why ar
YOU herel How reckless you are. You ma,
expose ali the past For your own sake D
careful. l 10 not care so long as you ar
saved.''
She fell sainting TO the floor, and immedia
telv the Warden entered.
you have made mistake" said tn
prisoner, with heavy sigh, as he walke
back 10 his cell. ~ do not know the lady
She is visitor for some one else.'i
Concealed behind a screen at one end o
the room were two members Of the Cover
nor's staff, sent there to test the true nobili
~ OF the convict's soul. Five days after
wards the prisoner was pardOned, conducts
to a steamer and shipped to Europe for fv
years. He carried 81, 900. which was givei
him By the woman he had lost
On the journal Of the Executive chambe
this pardon is entered on book that is neye
seen by the public.
House Decorations.