The Forrest City times., 1891-01-16


 ixe had gone so far as to charge him- self with the taxes If personal friends on their solemn promise to pay the taxes and not let him suffer by the iA> discretion. He had even mnde 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 emer. 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 wns the absence of &25.- GOO. What could that be but defalca. tion?" said I.
 ''Just sov' replied Van Leonard. 1t was a singular case. for amid it all many, and l among them. refused to believe him guilty of outright defalca- tion. 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 respected, admired. uEo U uStC'i.
 ".l can't account for it. he would say. but know that l have neither wasted nor stolcn the money and across his countenance would Ait an expression of pitiable insanity. hard ly knew what to think of him.
 He appeared to be non compos mentis ora stnpcndous fraudr' l exclaimed as Van Leonard paused for an appropriate term. Smiling slightly, he repeatcd:
 1t was n singular case for. say what you please. still had faith in his probity."
 Well, what did the city council doPn l asked
 ..Oi course he was summarlly dis placed and his hondsmen were called upon to make the dedication good. But Alden yielded his residence. which. with some property of his. realized about go GOO thus leaving 5000 for his boudsmen to pay
 How did he bear itp"
 T could see that public disgrace was killing him. While he may not have ielt blameess, yet he knew that he had not been corrupt or basely fraudulent"
 So he said, eiaculated.
 'Ycs. SO he said We'll. in musing over the matter one day thought struck nc; 1 sought Prof. Franklin. with whom l had lengthy interview. At lhe conclusion of our discussion he said:
 '''lt will be an interesting experi- ment. and. so far as can see, will do harm
 You will meet me then at the city treasurer's office at 3 p. m. asked.
 '''Tli be there, he responded.
 "Punctually at the hour named I drove up to the city hall in my car rage. accompanied by Inc mayor of the city attorney. and Judge Alden. We entered the office of the city treasurer. where we found Prof. Frank lin conversiug with couple of the city councilmen and Judge Aldens suc- cessor. a Mir Bond After our mutual salutations were over 1 said to the mayor: Will you havc the goodness. sir. to permit the eity's tire-proof safe to be opened?'
 At sign from his honor the acting treasurer swung open the doors of the huge safe.
 Now. said I. open all the drawers and expose 10 view all the eisy's money you may have in the safe at this time.
 This was quickly done by the act ieg treasurer. who murmured:
 This is all the funds we have here at present. or course there is more on deposit in the First National bank
 ss.N,u rs. n bav nat 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 particle. if the mayor has no objection. And at sign from the mayor the money was removed. every cent of it, as the acting treasurer de- clarcd.
 All this. as may well be imagined, had wrought considerable excitement in Judge Alden. the deiaulter. and observed Prof. Franklin endeavoring to sooth h;m. but without avail. Sud- denly. with piercing gaze into Alden's eye. he made few rapid passes and in an authoritative tone said; Come. sir. be calm.
 In 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 lin's control, held by the mighty power of Il superior will.
 "Ihe 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 glad smile and we desire you to show us the secret compartments of this safe in which you usually kept thu bulk of your funds when treasurer
 'To the great surprise of all Judge Alden stepped to the safe and touched . secret spring by which he was en- ablsd to pull ont one of the drawers to double its apparen, length. The back compartments of that drawer, the ex- istencc 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 Aldens handwriting.
 "Hands oif. gentleman exclaimed. This is the purpose for which l have brought you her-. Mir. Attorney l added. I wish YOU to bear testimony to this remarkable hpd. for il es,ah- ishcs the innocence of Judge Alden most assuredly