The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-07-11

oAiIii44i51 GU UllC III Ol Dtlu5 ttDlt w
give sono assistance to her boncfactor,
stepped before tho judge and was sworn.
She gave hcr name, but in spite of all
| attention Lawrence N iSssei it in tho con-
! fusion attendant upon tho bringing in
OF several new arrests. lie began to SOC
tho end of his difficulties, and Joy pos
sesscd him as tho judge listened with
evident belief to the young lady's ac-
count of tho park episode.
'And what is the gentlcraan'3 ramc?'
asked tho judge when she had finished
her little story.
"Mr. Thomas jones'" replied the
widow promptly. 1t was tho namo she
had heard Lawrence give at tho police
station.
Whom he heard this answer Drano
groanod audibly. Tho impostor's face
was lighted by triumphant smile
and the judge frownod. Tho young
lady saw that something had gone awry
and she exclaimed Historically:
"Oh, dear! Iavo 1 done any thing
wrong?"
Nothing whatever, madam" said
tho judge. "You may step down. Now.
| Mr.. Thomas Jones, you told me en-
phatically but few days ago that your
namo was Jones. Havo you any thing
moro to say?"
"Your honor" and Lawrencc's voice
was ragged with emotion as he spoke:
Il sec that have been continually be-
set with my own blundors. l blundercI
in lying about my namo, which is really
Dranc; since thon l havc blundcrcd at
ovcry step until l committed the last in
declining to explain myself. l will
gladly pay the expense of tclegraphing
to Kansas City. My friends there will
reply to your satisfaction"
''Wo will let you do that Jones'" said
the judge, but meantime l shall hold
you, and if a reply does not come before
wo adjourn you will have to rcmain."
There was nothing for Lawrence to do
! but acquiesce and write his telegram as
fast as possible. This, after some judi
cial editing, read as follows:
SANFORD DRANE-I an held in court
on suspicion Of stealing my own clothes
and my namc. Please wire the court C. {
once full description Of my appearance
and history. Id.
Then his own statement of his adj
ventures was taken down. If this
should correspond to the account to be
! tcloGgaphcd he would be free. Con-
iiGont OF the result he followed On Of
ficor to tho prison, leaving tho pretty
widow sitting on front scat toarfully
listening to whispered lecture from
that expert character reader, Mrs.
Bowers.
Tho impostor, anxious to establish
his ease before Y reply to Mr.. Drano's
! telegram should arrivo, hurried from
+ the court accompanied by an officer.
| They went to q Broadway hotel and
| marched straight up to the pompous
clerk.
"Do you know this man?" asked the
@KnoW himY, returned tho clerk,
scornfully, Il should hope not.'
''But you rcmcmbcr,' cried the i'm
postor, that I camc here this morning
and took a room. do2't ycu? I am Law
renee Drano, Of Kansas City. You'll
fnd my namo On the register"
Tho clork examined tho big book.
''Thcro's Mr. Drano here" he said;
81 remember him. He was we'll
dressed man, and you-why, he wouldn't
let you in at tho door if you didn't come
with a policeman. Besides, this Mr.
Drane came from New Haven"
"Oh, Lord! forgot that!' exclaimed
the impostor; ''you see, I camo down
/ from Now Haven on an early train.
Why, was married in New Haven yes
terday.'
The clorl, turned away with a sniff of
disgust.
Como now, whatever your name is"
said the officer, don't waste any more
time. March back to court"
So back he won't, regrotting at every
step that his sudden prosperity had so
cnlivcned his respect for cleanliness
that he had venturcd to take q bath.
"First I've taken for years. he NUT
tered, ''and it serves mo right. Got on
we'll enough without before"
There wcrc lot Of late arrivals at
Jefferson market that day, and it was
six o'clock before the court was ready
to adjourn. Mrs. Bowers and the fair
widow were still there, the former stay
ing against her will at tho earnest solic-
itation of the latter. She was sadly
disturbed at having failed so signally
to aid her benefactor, and was anxious
to learn the result of tho inquiry. just
in the nick of time, as it seemed to her,
. messenger boy crawlod into the room
and demanded with amazing indiffer-
ence:
is de judge here?'
! The judge relieved tho boy Of his dis.
patch and addressed remark to him
which sent him out of court several
thousand times faster than he came in.
/ The two claimants to the name Of Dranc
were already at the bar. Tho judge read
the telegram silently, coughed, read it
again and remarked:
This does not seem to help matters
for either of you"
Then ho read tho dispatch aloud:
''THE JUDGE, J(5GrSoa NarIet Court
I Nc5c Iork-If Lawrence Drane is in
your charge please hold him. lie is un-
doubtedly insane STANFORD DRAxE."
There is a vile conspiracy back of
this!' cried the'roal Drane.
''Oh, give it up! I'm not Drane ut
ALL, shouted the imposter.
Thumpity-bag. said the judges gavel,
angrily, and the judge himself added:
The court believes you arc both de-
mented. l shall commit you both to an
asylum for examination and treat
ment,"