Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1891-06-27
Love and 4 Scrap Book.
By DAVID A. CURTIS.
copyright. All rights reserved.l


it will not do to neglect one point OF
proof. no matter how insignificant it
may seem or how overwhelming other
evidence may be. The second is that
circumstantial evidence 10 not worth the
trouble of remembering. if it can, on any
hypothesis whatever. be interpreted in
more than one way. Innocent men have
been hanged on circumstantial evidence.
because the true explanation OF the cir
cumstances seemed far fetched and un-
reasonable. And how should this not be
80 when circumstances happened as they
did TO convict Tanning?
Yes. he would send Playfair to New
York certainly, and would pay his ex-
penses, and be indebted greatly to him
for going. 1t happened that on starting
on his travels he had closed his bank ac-
count, drawing out almost $4,000. and
he had nearly the whole amount with
him when he was arrested, u fact which
told against him afterward. Money was
of little value to him in comparison with
the establishment of his innocence, and
he unhesitatingly counted out as much
latter instantly reproached himself for
the last time in his life for not asking
for more. He contented himself, how
ever. with the thought that the case was
still young. and asked for instructions as
to how he should proceed when he
reached New York.
Tanning reflected for few moments.
Then he said: Naturally do not want
the story of this thing to get about. 1t
will be enough if you go to DR., Sandring-
ham and to Mr. James Friend. The
doctor knows me professionally and Mr.
Friend has charge Of some business in
! terests of mine. ! will write letters to
them and you can explain the case fully
Would it not be well to take your
photograph also?" suggested Playfair.
Il never had photograph taken
said Tanning.
"Wecan have one taken easily enough. :"
said the other
What possible necessity is there for
that" asked Tanning. 'The letters will
be enough"
The photograph, therefore, which
might very probably have changed the
whole current of affairs afterward was
not taken. and Playfair. after two or
three more interviews with his client
and after arranging with the district at
torney for a trial within a months time.
started for New York.
! Tanning. left to himself in a most dis
agreeable predicament, summoned all
his philosophy to his aid, and succeeded
| fairly we'll in reconciling himself to the
situation. He had always prided him
self on his philosophy. and felt a thrill
of gratihej vanity in finding that it was
serviceabe stuff and not mere theory.
ii am in prison, it is true" he reason
ed. "but luckily it is for no fault of my
own, therefore no disgrace really at
taches to the fact, and the seeming dis
grace will soon be wiped away. There
| is no one on earth who will suffer any
pain or suspense on my account. and for
| this once can congratulate myself on
the fact that am entirely alone in the
world Meantime month is taken out
of my life. Or ia it really SO? am
having a disagreeable experience. but
after all it is an experience, and ! can
make it serve in the development of
character if | choose"
He did so choose, and spent the time
studying and meditating, He was al
lowed to use his own money. and lived
well at exorbitant prices, besides getting
the use of what few books he wanted.
for the Jail servants were ready to do
almost anything for him 30 long as he
paid them.
AS the day Of his trial drew near,
however, he began to be very appre-
hensive. He had only heard once from
his lawyer, having received a single
letter from him, written on the day OF
his arrival in New York, and of course
containing no information beyond the
announcement of arrival. He was Sc
riously angry and even little worried
by this outrageous neglect, but when he
sent a letter to Mr.. P.ayfair's Office to
make inqaiiies. that geltleman's clerk
called at the Jail. and informed him
that he had just received a letter from
his principal in which the latter said
that everything was progressing favor.
ably, but that he had been detained
longer thuu ho expected to be. He would
certainly ralurn, however, il time fol
DR.. Fanning,s trial. 1t was very un'
satisfactory, but Tanning did not see
what he could ds, situated as he was
excepting to trust to his counsel, espe
cially as everybody of whom he inquired
assured him that Mr.. Playfair was the
leading lawyer of the place (Which was
not true), and that he had never proven
derelict in the performance of his pro
fessional duties. which was true enough
In a sense.
To do Mr.. Playfair entire Justice j
must be said that he had conscience
though it was subject to legal rules o
practice and to the decisions of the courts
He therefore easily persuaded hfmsel
that he was doing his full duty by Fan
| ming. And this he did the more easi'l