Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-10-26
ROMANCE OF A PARDON.
"A Strange Story Of Mans Honor
and Woman's Devotion.

Aihnnu Corsspond.rce.

Albany Correspondence.
One of the pardons which the Governor
granted some months ago has never been
published nor did he, as is usual with him,
print the reasons. They would not now be
allowed to be given, ifthere was any proba-
b;lity that the actual names concerned, or
even the places where the incidents occur
red should be correctly given. The story
is true romance, probably seldom equaied
in the most emotional fiction. Early last
spring young man, named for the present
purpose Smith, was employed as gardner
by very wealthy gentleman, to be called
for the present purpose Mr.. Jones, who
lived, we will say, on the Hudson, near New
York. He was discovered one afternoon
by Mr.. Jones, on his unexpected return
from the city, in the very act OF stealing
fiom Mr.. Jones room, with some of her
iewelry in his possession and her bureau
drawer open and rifed. He was seized at
once and
Charged with Burglary,
and, after vain endeavors to escape, admit
ted his guilt and was imprisoned. Mrs
Jones was greatly distressed when she
heard of it, and begged hard that he be not
prosecuted, as he was great fayorite, be-
ing youth only 49, Of very handsome pres,
pnce and rather we'll educated She plead
ed so strongly with Mr.. Jones that he sought
TO hush the matter up. but other servants
had been witnesses to the disturbance at
bis detection, and they began to talk so
freely of young Smiths guilt that the au-
,horities compelled him to enter com
plant. 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 with grief that
she was too sick to attend the trial even to
identify the jewelry. After he had been IN
Sing Sing few months, Smith was trans
Crred, at his own request to Auburn. A
few months ago
A Lady. Heavily Yelled,
called to see the Governor, and was received
by him at his public desk Without IN
yelling, she said she came to see him about
a pardon. He asked her the particulars Of
the case, and she stated that Of young
Smith, as narrated above.
"On what grounds do you ask for par
dOnY asked the Governor.
HE is innocent" she said family.
Can you prove it? Nothing more is
needed than proof TO that effect answered
the Governor.
"Yes-I can prove it!
Then / could possibly grant him a new
trial but that would be the M st could CO.
lfyour new evidence is sufficient, that will
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 relation Of hisY
Eyes, sir, she replied, 81 am his sister. "
well we'll" said the Governor, some
what bluffly, you see the district attorney,
lay your evidence before him, and on his
sending it to me will consider the applica-
ton"
She lady fingered, and in a trembling
voice and low tone said
Can ! not speak to you alone upon the
matter"
Somewhat perplexed, the Governor es-
corted her into au inner room, when an as.
onishing story was told him By
ABcautiful Woman
in great mental anguish. She too was
guilty. She loved the handsome gardener,
and she was the wife whose Jewels had been
stolen. Cpon the verge Of a discovery Of
heir secret BY the husband no means Of
egress for the young lover which would not
De seen and excite suspicion, if not be
proof she had hastily hidden herself in
closet, while he had broken open the drawer
and seized the jewels just in time to give
The astonished husband wrong clew to 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
"he has been suffering there for me and
can do nothing but beg for him."
1t was many moments before the Cover
nor could reply, He is an impressionable
man, dHu
Madame, 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 it is true, and mus;
have proof that you are the person you rep
resent yourself to be-"
A few weeks later yelled lady called in
closed coupe upon the warden of Auburn
prison. Without the interchange of word
he warden conducted her to a small par.
or, where she was left entirely alone. In a
moment the door was opened and young
man cladIn an ordinary citizens suit en-.
tered the room. No one came with him,
and the door was closed as soon as he en-.
tered. In moment he recognized the fig
ure before him. He sprang forward.
"For heavens sake" he said, why are
you here? How reckless you are. You
may expose all the past. For your own
sake be careful. l do not care as long as
sou are saved"
She Fell Painting to the Floor,
and Immediately aferward the warden en-
tered.
you have made mistake" said the
prisoner with heavy sigh as he walked
back to his CELL 81 do not know the lady
Sbeis a visitor for some one else"
Concealed behind screen at one end Of
the room were two members of the Gov
ernors staff, sent there to test the true no
bility Of the convicts soul. Five days af
forwards the prisoner was pardoned, con-
Quoted to steamer and shipped to Europe
for FIVE years. He carried $1,000, which
was given him by the woman he had lost.
On the journal Of the executive chamber
this pardon is entered in book which is
never seen BY the public.