The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-04-22

The town clock struck II. And the two
friends, by common consent, abandoned the
lamp post and turned their faces homeward-
Mr.. Cleveland p. Street was conceded by
every one 70 lie a most estimable young man.
The pr,sident Of the bank spoke highly Of
him on all occasions, and occasionally IN
creased his salary. The old aides approved
of him. and the young ladies said he was
%''nioe.n He was a member Of the Shooting
Stars Dramatic club, the East End
Dancing club and Musical union He
sang tenor in the Presbyterian church.
He led the uneventiul life Of the
average business man, and was reasonably
contentcd and happy.
There was. beside all this, another circum-
stance which couspircd to make Mr.. Street,
in authorization, a most enviable a Mis-
Alice Wilson was "A handsome, vivacious
brunette. who, 10y her thousand winning
ways, had completely ensnarcd the heart OF
the youug cashier. OF late she had beenpor-
ceptibly more encouraging, and he felt So
rencly conidcn! that when be urged bis suit
she would no; say Linn nay.
Some such thoughts as these were fitting
through Mr.. Streets mind, As he stood
behind the tank counter, a few days
after the disclosure beneath the gas
light. And now. as bis thoughts reverted
10 Mr.. HaIumoul, he could not suppress q
hand SHOOK 80 that he could scarcely see tho
figures The first tran for Barrvilic left
at ll:lt. II WIS now 1880.
lie applied 10 the president Of the bank for
leave OF absence. lie showed the president
the outside OF the dispatch That gentleman
Inferred, from the cashiers pale face, that II
was probably . death in the family; and. as
h always associated such events in bis mind
with requests Of property, he said, readily,
that he guessed they could get along without
him for a few days. Half an hour later. Mr..
Street was on the tram Speeding along
toward Barrville
Ia that six hours ride Mr.. Street lived a
month Of suspense. The cars were no sooner
in motion than he wished be had never
started. If Mr.. Hammond was convicted,
let il be upon other evidence than his. He
would never have resting upon him the
responsibility of sealing the doom Of a man
who might, for all he knew, be honestly try
ing 20 blot ont the past and lead an upright
life. He called TO mind every little act of
kindness that Mr.. Hammond had ever ex-
tended 10 him. His excited imagination
magnifed them TO boundlcSs obligations
And this was his return for them! Mr..
Street would have given a years salary 10 Ice
back at his desk.
A. every station he went out and stood on
the platform with q wild desire 10 get of and
g~o-anyUherei away from Barryille. The
people in the chr began to look at him
strangely and suspiciously. And in the
midst Of his agonizinS reflections the brake
man dashed open the door and sang out
"Barrvillc
How be got off from the train and over the
distance from the depot to the court house,
Mr.. Street never knew. lie spoke 10 several
persons on the way, but he couldn't have
told, for his life, what ne said 10 them. The
frs. realization of his surroundings was
when he found himself ascending the broad
stems Of the court houS-with a green baize
door IN front Of him and all hope behind
him.
He heitatcd n moment. That moment
was decisive. The green haize door vas sud
denly opened from within. and he had 10
choice but 10 enter. The room into which he
came was the court room. Court was in se~-
sion, and the room was filed 10 OVERLOOKING.
Mr.. Street, entrance was scarcely noted:
every eye was strained toward the witness
stand
a man near the door made room for Mr..
Street on the bench beside him. The cashier
hank into the profered sat. The buzz Of
voices in the court room came 10 him in in
distinct murmurs. hike sounds n great dis
lance ava And, all the time, the man at
his SIDE kept talking on in a desultory fashion.
"The fellows up for larceny" he said.
'Queer you hadn't heard about it. You're
q stranger here. amt YOU He's the same
one that robbed the Kerrin Savings bank in
76. Prars YOU recollectt He owned w 10
il when he found they knowed it. He's been
ON the stand all the merning. They're
q waiting for him now
The ~loguacious stranger craned his neck
around to get a better view. Mr.. Street felt
that he should faint or Shrek if something
didn't happen.
Something did happen.
There he tsp exclaimed the stranger:
'thats him on the witness stand. He's a
holding up his hand 10 be sworn. | guess
you'll have to stand up TO see him"
The cashier staggered 20 his feet. He
looked at the people, the ceiling, the clock
II was Just 5l5-the jury, the lawyers, the
judge. Then, with an effort, he raised his
eyes to the prlsoner-aDd saw-
Not Mr.. Hammond-but q man as like him
as hi reflection in q glass. Like him. but not
he. here were the same piercing eyes, the
same strongly marked features; but this
mans face bore the impress Of n hard and
reckless life. Ii needed not his confession OF
the crime; for ir. Street knew. now, beyond
poI.Ayenture, that this was the man with
whom he had grappIed on that ~eventful night,
six years ago, and that Mr.. Hammond was as
innocent OF the crime rs the cashier himself.
For one moment Mr.. Street stood staring
blankly at the prisoner. Then as the whole
force of the revelation dawned upon him,
with an INDISPENSABLE look Of horror and re-
morse, he seized his hat and dashed frantic
ally from the building.
TIE night train bore away from Barrvile
a maj who sat bolt wright in the corner Of