Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-02-24

| LOT lOdI.
In five minutes Mr.. Jones returned
and stated that the whole story as TO
the watch was confirmed by the deal
er, to whom, also, james had told
that his brother gave him the gold
piece, (which, you know, sir he
/ added, "he need not have done If he
wasn't trying to head off suspicion.
! OF course, he could have changed the
note anywhere in moment. How
ever, well be as easy as we can with
him. We'll keep him at the station
for day or two, while-I make furth-
er inquiries. We must trace that bill,
il possible, and considerably calling
hack he removed the wretchedyoung
+ prisoner.
Willie Dnncombe witnessed the de-
parture Of his favorite and, on being
told the cause, burst into tears and
impulsively exclaimed: "Oh, papa :.
I'm sure James never ,ook the money.
He's real good boy -
Il do hope that he may prove limo
cent, my son, but l fear he will not.
However, we shall see.
That afternoon, several OF the even
ing papers contained this ad:
ANY individual, bank or other in
stitution. having in possession 500
bill. No 624S, OF the Merchants Bank.
will subservs the ends OF justice and
receive a suitable reward by commu-
nicating the fact to j. Jones, Central
Police Station, City.
Though repeated in next mornings
papers. nothing came of this, and II
was naturally supposed that the per
son who changed the bill forso young
boy was afraid to come forward.
Two days after his arrest, James In
plis. having been duly examined by
the police magistrate, was formally
committed to stand his trial before
court OF competent jurisdiction on
charge of grand larceny.
Despite passionate proteStations OF
innocence, he WAS then removed TO
the Fombs to await the sitting OF the
Circuit Court. occurring in ten days.
Meantime. Mr.. Duucombe wired the
boys mother, poor widow, residing
in Buffalo, y. Y.
Fifteen hours afterward she arrived
in New York City, took lodgings as
near as possible TO the prison, and
spent all the time permitted by the
regulations with her son, OF whose in
nocence she, mother-like, entertained
no shadow of doubt.
Mr.. Duncombe and Detective Jones
continued to spend money freely, and
spared no exertions TO discover the
missing bill But all their labor was
fruitlesS. Nothing was heard OF 1t,
and in due time the trial came on.
| The young prisoner, a sinEul9rly
sweet-faced boy of fourteen, looked
sadly out OF place in the dock; and
when his weeping mother took her
stand by his side murmur OF deep
sympathy ran through the crowded
room.
On being arranged, James pleaded
not guilty, and the Court humanely
assigned eminent counsel for his de
| tense.
The prosecuting attorney seemed to
have little heart for the business In
hand, but was obliged to do his duty.
On behalf Of the people ne called as
witnesses Mr.. Dunsombe, Mr. Jones,
and all the household servants OF the
former. With such evident reluctance
| did eacL one testify, that the crushing
! forth OF their cumulative evidence
was much augmented by that very
fact. and in the faces Of the jurymen
could be plainly read condemnation.
Counsel for the defence then took
the floor, but all his eloqusnce, backed
up as it was by numerous witnesses
as to the prisoners previous good
| character, could not shake the obdu-
rate jurymen. Without leaving their
seats, they returned verdict OF
Guilty as charged, and as the words
left the foremau's lipss woman pier
cling scream aud then her fainting
form told now heavily the bolt had
fallen.
Tine spectators murmured in dis
pleasure. Innocent or guilty, nine
tputns of them would have acquitted
the boy; but the Judge sternly com
manded silence, quite unaware that
mis- own voice bore a suspicious tre-
NOR. 1t was now nine o'clock in the
evening.
The prosecuting attorney moved
/ for Immediate sentence, aud the judge
began james Iugis, stand up You
have heard tue verdict OF the jury.
Have you anything to say why
But now occurred an interruption
which neither sheriff nor officers
could control. A boyish voice was
heard exclaiIning Let Inc In on,
let NE iu. Take me to the Judge,
quick y
The crowd gave way, aud Willie
Duncombe, holding a small piece ol
diugy looking paper aloft, burst
through the opening, rushed up to
the bench and jOyfully shouted: On,
Mr.. Judge, james is innocent. Here I
that wicked money
"Wnat, wnat, wnat, my boy! cried
his nonor, forgetting his dignity IL
the excitement Of the moment-"whs'
is this? Why, bless my soul! gentle
men of the jury passing the slip o
naner to the foreman-''it is n Sl0(
bill, No. 624s, OF the Merchants Bank
the identical bill which you have just