Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-05-07
CHAPTER VI.

to the abode OF justice, Drane had time
to bring his mind to one definite and
valuable conclusion. His misfortunes
on similar occasion had been aggra-
vated by his own injudicious utterances.
He resolved to keep still this time, even
if he had to hire somebody to gag him.
1t was little that he knew about New
York except as to its pavements and it's
distances. and both these he was prepared
to condemn as emphatically as would
any reformer. He had not supposed
that his second arrest took place in the
same judicial district in which his first
came to pass. By reason Of his rehabili-
tation his nerves had maintained fair
poise during the short journey to the
court, but when he saw the ornate tower
of Jefferson market ahead of him and
then realized that he was bound to ap-
pear before the same justice who had
lectured him but day or two previous
ly, they fell to quivering ominously.
Nevertheless he kept up appearances
and entered the conrt room with an air
of dignified self-possession.
The bulk of the days business had
been cleared away, so he and his COM
panion in distress were summoned at
once to the bar.
sWhat is this case?" demanded the
Judge.
This man." responded the police
man, jerking his thumb towards the
ragged tramp, accuses this gentleman
| of stealing his clothes"
The Judge glanced in surprise from
one to the other of the parties, and
he looked sharply at Lawrence as If the
face reminded him of somebody. Then
he ordered the complainant to step up
and asked him his name.
Lawrence Drane," was the cool reply.
Again the Judge seemed to be trying
| to recall something out of the dim re-
| cesses of his memory, but the effort
| failed, and he composed himself to lis
ten to the complainant's story. The
| false Drane told exactly what had hap
pened at the bath-house, not deyiating
in the slightest particular from the
truth, except as his story implied his
| claim to ownership in the clothes which
| the real Drane had on.
did you ever see the prisoner be-
| fore?" asked the Judge.
''I think / saw him not more than
three days ago." replied the impostor;
''It was late in the afternoon and he had
a skate on. remember him because
of these rags which he wore at the
time"
The Judge turned to Mr.. Drane, who
| had been listening intently, and began
the examination in the usual way, by
| asking his name. Lawrence was vehe-
mently moved to denounce his accuser,
but he recalled his determination to
control his tongue in this episode; there
fore he responded simply:
Lawrence Drane."
A big scowl tangled the judges eye
brows and puckered up his lips. Judicial
| memory was again in process of castiga-
ton. This time the mental prodding
turned up clew.
Haven't you been here beforer' he
demanded sternly.
Mr.. Drane's conscience wriggled and
groaned under the temptation of men,
| dacity. He was immorally certain that
good lie would be more effieacious in
| the emergency than guardian angel;
but his gentlemanly instincts revoited
| at lying, especially when he knew he
was in the right. Moreover the angel
was present the courtroom. though
| Lawrence didn't know it and she had
not as yet discovered him. Perhaps her
influence had something to do with in
| ducing him to falter an affirmative to
the judges question. The reply stima-
| lated the judges memory wonderfully.
| You tried TO pass yourself under two
names then, didn't you?" ne continued.
May ] explain, your honor"
did you or didn't you? Speak upr'
ST did, your honor, but there were cir
cumstances then that justified me. /
| was in trouble and hardly knew what
| was abent;"
.sWhat possible circumstances could
have justified you in lying about your
name?'
| 1t instantly occurred to Lawrence
that here was an opportunity to make
a full explanation of his situation. but
so much trouble had come to him from
such attempts that he renewed his de-
termination TO say absolutely nothing,
SO he responded:
Il decline 10 say
This surprised and angcrcd the Judge
1 anu az tuo Oi1tCEE W Sc6ICil
| Lawrence. They took from him all his
papers. his money and his watch. They
considerably left him his handkerchief,
Upset by the indignity of this proceed
ing he exclaimed:
II viii say and maintain that | am
Lawrence D-ancl live In Kansas City
and am in New York simply on my way
to Boston where / propose to. negotiate
capital for a railroad.
..Very well" said the Judge. dryly,
and t.lrning % the impostor: What
have yon to say TO this?y
Whgg was the reply. .thst en-