The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-12-11


discretion. He had even made oc-
casional loans of the public money to
friends in great need. taking their per-
sonal notes. But these amounts were
comparatively small. and in an cmer-
gency could have been realized on the
notes themselves. All these excuse his
friends made for him in order to shield
him from the charge of barefaced cor
ruption and dishonesty"
Still there was the absence of $25, :
OOO What could that be but defalca-
tion?" said l.
Just sor' replied Van Leonard. 1T
was singular case. for amid it all
many, and among them. refused to
believe him guilty of outright defalca-
ton. To say that the community was
shocked and astounded is stating the
case mildly. But the sad. ugly fact re-
mained that $25,0o0 of the public
funds were missing and the whole
blame and responsibility rested upon
one whom all had I, spected, admired,
and trusted.
II cau't account for it,, he would
say. but know that | have neither
wasted nor stolen the money and
across his countenance would fit an
expression of pitiable insanity. hard
ly knew what to think of him.
He appeared to be non compos
mentis, ora stupendous fraudr' 1
exclaimed as Van Leonard paused for
an appropriate term. Smiling slightly,
he repeated:
at was a singular case for, say
what you please, | still had faith in his
probity."
We'll, what did the city council
do?" I asked.
"Of course he was summarily dis
placed. and his bondsmen were called
upon to make the defalcation goods
But Alden yielded his residence, which.
with some property of his. realized
about $40. 900, thus leaving $1,000 for
his bondsmen to pay"
How did he bear it?"
Il could see that public disgrace
was killing him. While he may not
have felt blameess, yet he knew that
he had not been corrupt or basely
fraudulent"
so he said." calculated.
Yes, so he said. Well. in musing
over the matter one day Il thought
struck me; | sought Prof. Franklin,
with whom had lengthy interview.
At the conclusion of our discussion he
said:
lit will be an interesting expert
ment, and, so far as can see, will do
HARM
"'You will meet me then at the city
treasurer's office at p. m. p | asked.
"'Ill be there he responded.
'Punctually at the hour named I
drove up to the city hall in my car
riage, accompanied by the mayor of
the city attorney, and Judge Alden.
We entered the office of the city
treasurer, where we found Prof Frank
lin conversing with a couple of the city
councilmen and Judge Alden's sue
cessor, Mr.. Bond. After our mutual
salutations were over l said to the
mayor: Will YOU have the goodness,
sir, TO permit the city's fre-proof safe
to be Opened?'
AT a sign from his honor the acting
treasurer swung open the doors of the
huge safe.
",Now,' said /. open all the drawers
and expose to view all the city's money
you may have in the safe at this time.
This was quickly done by the act
ing treasurer. who murmured:
This is all the funds we have here
at present. Of course there is more
on deposit in the First National bank.
You are quite sure you have opened
all the drawers in the safe, and dis
played to view all the money you have
in that safe belonging to the city?' /
inquired.
Certainly. Sir was Bonds reply.
Have you any objections to remov-
ing it entirely
Mot a particle, if the mayor has no
objection And at q sign from the
mayor the money was removed every
cent of it, as the acting treasurer de-
clared.
''All this. as may we'll be imagined.
had wrought considerable excitement
in Judge Alden, the defaulter, and |
observed Prof. Franklin endeavoring
to sooth him, but without avail. Sud-
denly, with n piercing gaze into Alden's S
eye, he made few rapid passes. and
in an authoritative tone said: Come
sir. be calm
Iu an instant placid expression of
peace and quiet submission rested up
on that countenance which for weeks
had manifested mental torture.
Alden was completely under Frank
Inns control, held by the mighty power
of a superior will.
The entire company were now gaz-
ing upon this episode in amazement.
You are reinstated in the Office of
city treasurer At these words
from Franklin the face of Alden shone
with a glad smile-'and we desire you
to show us the secret compartments
of this safe in which you usually kept
the bulk of your funds when treasurer.
10 the great surprise of ali Judge
Alden stepped to the safe and touched
secret spring by which he was en-
abled to pull out one of the drawers to
double its apparent length. The back
compartments of that drawer, the eX-
istence of which was unknown to all
the other officials present, were packed
full of treasury notes and national bank
bills. The money was neatly done up
in packages, on the labels of which
the amount of money in each package
was written in Alden's handwriting.
Hands of. gentleman l exclaimed.
This Is the purpose Tor Whlcn haFe
brought you here. Mr.. Attorney, l
added, i wish you to bear testimony
to this remarkable find. for it estab-
fishes the innocence of Judge Alden
most assuredly.
"'Let the money be counted, replied
the city attorney.
But this was hardly necessary, as
above the money in one compartment
was a written statement. Sl5, ,O00-
Louis Alden, and in the other similar
statement. 'sl4. 950-.Louis Alden,
which was soon verified.
las from a dream the hypnotized
man walked up. when Prof. Franklin
said: Arouse. sir. with full possession
of your mental powers; and let me con
gragulate you on the removal of base
but unfouuded stigma from your name
and reputation
Gazing around with dignity and
gracious self-possession that were