Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-09-12
AN INN INNOCENT MAN.
He Plays Little Trick and Is Caught
by the Wrong Policeman.

ne rays Lttue fIrlck ana Is CauBht
by the Wrong Policeman.
in Chicago. one night last week,
nicely-dressed man wasscaught in the
act.pf attempting to pass counterfeit
money and was taken to the police sta
ition, When drawn up beforescourt the
next morning, he seemed Instantly to
awaken an interest in the Judge, for he
was indeed fne-looking fellow with a
wellSbred air and face Of striking ex-
pressiveness. / IN
what is your name2" the Judge
asked.
"I am Leroy Wallraven," he replied.
When the officers that had made the
arrest weresexamined, the jndgeAurned
to Leroy Wallraven and said: 81 am sor-
ry for. you. 1t does not require much Of
an effort to sit in Judgment upon the
misdeeds of q man whose. appearance
bespeaks hard life, but it requires an
uncomfortable exercise of nerve to pass
sentence upon mere youth that bears
the aspect of gentle training.'' l.
Judge" the prisoner spoke up,
''please do not exercise your nerve to
an uncomfortable extent on my account.
l am perfectly willing to- relieve you of
all responsibility in this matter-in
short you may discharge me-"
"Ah, l suppose so," the Judge replied,
"but you see have a duty to peform.
You are charged, with attempting to
pass counterfeit money, and as the
proof against you is direct, there can be
no doubt of your guilt"
I II don't think that am guilty,
Judge" y "a. .,,..- t...
Don't think that you are?"
mo sir, do not, ..,. .t...-.-
"Why, don't you know whether or not
you are guilty?" nL sA as e.ayT
well can not positively say. The
truth is, was very much intoxicated
last night and hardly knew what ] did
l am sure, however, that never carried
any count terfeit money about me, and If
l attempted to pass worthless note, l
can not understand how came by it,"
""But you did come by it in some way,
and of all the counterfeit money ever
saw think the bill you tried to pass
was the worst"
"Will you nlease,let me see it?'
The judge handed him a piece of
green paper. The young fellow looked
at it for moment and then roared with
laughter.
you needn't laugh. young man.
What you now perceive to be rank
counterfeit. might, last evening, have
seemed to you clever enough to pass"
II am not laughing at the rankness
of the counterfeit; am laughing at the
manner in which the bill came into my
possession. am an actor and played
last night My position in the drama
was not very high one-in fact, l ac-
accept bribe of ten dollars from a
fellow that is attempting to run away
with girl. Well, I took the green pa.
per and put. it into the pocket of my
vest 1 had been drinking during the
performance and did not change my
clothes after the show, but went into Q
saloon to get drink. Then, after tax
ing drink I must have rendered this
stage money in payment" .'"Hr
"Your explanation is perfectly salts
factory" said the Judge, II am pleased
to see"
Hold on momentm exclaimed po
liceman.
"What do you want?" the judge asked
81 want to say word in regard tC
this case / want to say word about ;
strange coincidence. Some time ago
while was ON the police force of Gin
cinnati, fellow that looked good dea
like this man was arrested for passing
a counterfeit bill, and at the trial mex
/ day he'gave us the theater racket, jus
as his nibs has done. and the Judge le
him off How do you explain that?n
The young fellow began, to, hem ant
haw," and the Judge, who by this time
had opened his eyes pretty wide, asked
"Were you ever in Cincinnati?"
"Yes, sir, but-but not at the tim,
that other fellow innocently attempted
to" @M
That's enough. Pass him back"
AS the young fellow turned to go, HI
remarked: sThis is the worst police
ridden town ever saw, The day whel
an innocent man had chance has for
ever passed. "-Arkansaw Traveller.
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