The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-10-24
AN INNOCENT MAN.
Bc Plays Little Trick and Is Caught
N hy tho Wrong IsolIceman.

Bo Plays Little Trick and Is Caught
by tho Wrong Policeman.
In Chicago, ono night last week, a
nicely-dressed man was caught in tho
act of attempting to pass counterfeit
money, and was taken to tho police sta
tion. When drawn up before court tho
next morning, he seemed instantly to
awaken an interest in the Judge, for he
was indeed fine-looking follow with
well-bred air and a face of striking ex-
pressiveness.
"What is your namc?' tho Judge
asked.
II am Leroy Wallravcn," he replied.
When the officers that had mado tho
arrest were examined, the judge turned
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 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
Judge" the prisoner spoke up,
please do not exercise your nerve to
an uncomfortable extent ON my account.
Il am perfectly willing to relieve you of
all responsibility in this matter-in
short, you may discharge me-"
"Ah, suppose So" the Judge replied,
.''but you see have duty to peform.
You are charged with attempting to
pass counterfeit money, and as the
proof against you is direct, there can be
mo doubt of your guilt" /
II don't, think that am guilty,
judge."-/
Don't Minh that you are?'
!, %No sir, do not"
"Why, don't you know whether or not
you are guilty?"
well can not positively say. The
truth is, was very much intoxicated
last night and hardly knew what DID
am sure, however, that mover carried
any counterfeit money about me, and if
Iattempted 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 1 ever
saw think the bill you tried to pass
was the worst"
"Will you please let me see it?"
Tho judge handed him piece of
green paper. The young follow looked
at it for q moment and then roarcd 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 tho bill came into nv
possession. am an actor and played
last night. My position in tho drama
was not very high onc-in fact, l ac-
accept a bride Of ten dollars from a
fellow that is attempting to run away
with girl. Well, 1 took the greon pa
per and put it into tho pocket Of my
Vest. had been drinking during the
performance and did not change nv
clothes after the show, but went into q
saloon to get drink. Then, after TAX
ing drink, must have rendered this
stage money in payment"
Your explanation is perfectly salts
factory" said the judge. 81 am pleased
to SEQ"
Hold on moment" exclaimed no.
1iceman.
What do you want?" tho judge asked.
VI want to say word in regard to
this case want to say word about q
strange coincidence. Some time ago.
while was on the police force of Gin
cinnati, fellow that looked a good deal
like this man was arrested for passing
a counterfeit bill, and at tho trial next
day he gave us the theator racket, Just
as his nibs has done, and the Judge let
him off How do you explain that?"
The young fellow began to Them and
haw," and tho judge, who by this time
had opened his eyes pretty wide, asked:
"Were you ever in Cincinnati?"
Eyes, sir, but-but not at the time
that other fellow innoccntly attempted
to-
That's enough. Pass him back"
AS the young fellow turned to go, no
remarked: ''This is the worst police
ridden town ever saw. Tho day when
an innocent man had chance has for