The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-04
STRANGER THAN FICTION
Richard Ii. Bears Noble Sacrifice and
Suffering to Save Relative.
Eight Years After Suddenly Disappearing,
Leaving Deficiency in His Accounts, lie
Proves His Honesty TO His Creditors.

the story of the life of a former Indianapolis
young man, which has just become public
through some remarkable and unexpected de-
velopments For time, and until eight years
ago, Richard H Beal was prominent young at.
torney at the Indianapolis bar. Considering
his age, none stood higher in the ranks
OF the profession. Those who knew him
best looked upon him al the embodiment OF al
tina: made e noble man. At q tender age he was
left an orphan. and it became the duty OF an
uncle 20 raise and educate him From the time
he left the schooi-room he uesd all the energy
that ambition could give to make himself an
honored member of the profession he had chosen
Endowed with splendid social qualities, he soon
acquired large acquaintance. his business rap
Idly increased, and his prospects were in every
way bright.
It was therefore startling news to his friends
when, on the 9th of Ocsober, 1879, the announce
ment made that he was short in his ac-
counts, and had fed from the city. An exami-
nation or his affairs made. and 1t was dis
covered that he was So, 900 short. The deficit
was made up Of amounts he had
collected from persons in different parts
of this country. and which he had not
remitted. In addition to the discovery that be
short So. 600 in his accounts, it was also dis
covered that he had, on the morning before his
disappearance,
.Pittsburg, Pa From all the information that
could be gathered at the time it was reasonably
certain that he had not taken any money with
him He could not have been embezzeler at
heart for if be was his last act before leaving
would not have been to pay over 81. 100 he could
easily have taken with him.
For months and even years after the young
mans disappearance the mystery of it was fire.
guently discussed and commented on by those
who knew him. At the time of his going away
be engaged to be married to the daughter of
q prominent attorney in the northern part of
the State, and the day Of the wedding
was at hand He did not
even mention his going TO her, and for months
she firmly believed be would return and clear
away the blot that he had left upon his name.
But he did not come. and although the young
lady never lost confidence in his honesty, she
finally gave all hope of seeing him again.
Three years afterward she was married to
other and is now the wife Of a wealthy mer-
Nothing was ever heard from Beal after his
disappearance, and in time the once prominent
young man. and the sensation he had created.
was almost forgotten. Four weeks ago ). Il.
F1orea the attorney, who was the law partner of
Beal, received a telegram from New York city,
asking If he would be in the city Wednesday
of that week, and adding that the sender would
like TO meet him some important business.
The telegram was signed ''E Is. Adams"
Mr.. Florea looked upon this brief telegram as
simple business message, and briefly answered
that he would be in the city the day named.
On the Wednesday the New York attorney
to arrive Mr.. Florea went to his Office
pectinR to meet him there No attorney came,
but in the afternoon mail came express pack
age containing s., 944, together with huge pack
age of letters all signed by Richard II. Beal the
long absent attorney. and addressed to his
numerous creditors. Besides the money and
the letters a statement of all his accounts
as they stood when he fled from the city in 1879.
Last Of ALL Mr.. FloreA took from the package
long and pathetic letter from Mr.. Beai, which
read as follows
Nv Daar 7 in Aba fr1
statement Of all owed when / went away. also
s these ST to Snd 3 Gr oso g.
You win ind the draft in the envel
to ask you to do me the favor to attend to this mat
ter for me- You will find full suggestions ard in
about TINS the A'.1 matter. for isS is 11'0f in
said in the general letter that if the little health that
pay interest all these claims compound interest
to my aunt Then my object in life will have been
much. but @ for For eight years years / ha l'1s
now that this much is done all ask is little longer
In which to complete it. expect peace of mind,
could but know the half have suffered his curses
the simple justice of dischArging all financial oblga.
tons, have no hope, no purpose In life.
rest or relief-tSop sf there i. % something thing
IN feeling that has done right after long
of money cannot remove. You remember that zinc
vaHse gave you; guard that, my friend, as you
treasures dearer to me than all else
In the world. save one. You cannot know
padfo keep my resolution not to do When first
dsy did little se ba S moi esp o aa ann ioF two
IS infinitely better that do not come back now.
Where II What I doingl No, cannot tell
you that, for that would only enbarrass you, and
you met me face to face have made friends where
@ of nv mast
and they will. The greatest favor that can be
done me now is to let me alone: No
suffer alone, DO not for one
myself a martyr. Far from it. assure you, for I
have never forgotten that deserve it all oh, how
wish could you if but for single hour 1t would,
Indeed, be glimpse of the fresh green fields of happy
days,
and would rather you do il for than any
l:s, hut do not want to embarrass you and II you
not do it, but indorse the draft to c. S. and
send the papers and the letter addressed to him.
have been the of some embarrassment
70 you, because some might think you knew about it.
But cannot see how the payment of the claims could
possibly do So for am that's honorable If you
can do this for do it. Do it for the sake of
old happy friendship in the old days. do it for the
POOR wanderer who holds and the memory of those
the right Remember that though this is only an in
cdent in your life, il is all OF mine know you viii
wrong living soal that never harbored dishonest
thought, You know couldn't have done so; don't
j. natural that they should but shall trust that
there are a few--a very few, perhaps-wLo believe
me when l say It is simply the working out of
purpose in life. There, now, have said
than intended to- But it has been eight years
since said anything to you. Do this wish for If
you can keep the valise and may day be able
60 thank you face to face. II live will If
you think of me- old friend, you used to know
May the Infinite Power bless and preserve, and
prosper you and yours is the earnest wish and hope
OF him who ever aud till death will be your true
sincere and loving friend.
RICHARD II. BEAIa (Dick.)
The revelation OF the real cause OF Beal's dis
appearance forms a chapter by far more inter
esting than the story of his disappearance and
the sending of money cancel the SO, 900 worth
IT debts he left, for it reveals a
noblsness of character possessed by few.