Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-26

uucc ~ 4luluulc III lutlNlUudl Us myself
to come to your house. when q simple
written request left at my lodgings
would have been sufficient Men do not
take such pains-iny long experience
with human nature leads me to say it.
men do not take such pains without an
adequate motive"
MIR. Dye said all this not as though
he had any real curiosity. In fact. there
was such a somber, graveyard atmos-
phere about his voice and manner that
the hearer was involuntarily impressed
with the belief that he had reached
stage Of mental depression where it was
no longer possible to harbor lively i'm
terest in any affair of life.
1--WE will not discuss that now" said
Maxey. There are some matters which
You must explain to my satisfaction be-
fore / shall feel overwhelmed with a
sense of my own meanness If you will
sit down, it will be more comfortable
for you. as it may prove to be some
what lengthy session"
''Sir, it is immaterial to me-"
Having said this with a sign that
seemed to leave no matter Of doubt that
he spoke the truth, Mr.. Dye accepted
the proffered chair He deposited his
woebegone hat upon the center table
with as much care as If it had been the
most valuable thing in the world, folded
his arms and fixed his faded glance upon
the ruffled fur surface before him. Max
ey seated himself opposite where he
could watch him narrowly.
you understand me, hope, sir?-
must be explained, if not to me now, to
the proper authorities at some other
time. l have not employed the police so
far in this matter for reasons of my own.
The police unfortunately includes the
press My family affairs have enjoyed
all the publicity care for Of late, but
if necessary have fully made up my
mind to sacrifice my own feelings in
this regard. l must inform you at once
that the police would be very glad to
know where to find you, and it remains
for you to say whether you shall let
them know it in person or so from here
free man. F"
Maxey had been awake nights plan
ming his procedure at this interview.
At this point in the case he had always
pictured the trembling villain as turn
ing pale and saying, "Oh, Mr. Maxey,
do not deliver me to tho police, and i
will tell you eveIythingi" but in reality
the presumable villain opened his un-
blanched lips to say in an entirely steady
voice:
"Sir, you see here man who for years
and years has been struggling in the face
of great and insurmountable odds, and
who has made failure of the struggle
do not know what you mean, but you
evidently desire to institute legal pro-
ceedings of some nature against me-
You have my full and free permission so
to do. If l am accrsed Of anything, Icare
not what in the category Of crimes, from
petty larceny to murder, / shall not take
the trouble to deny it. When this man
brought me 10 your door, / was wonder
ing if it were possible for Providence so
far to have relented toward me as to be
opening for me means of honest and
manly employment. came here as q
last effort in that direction With the
result of this experiment. in mind, ]
shall never try it again. No, sir. Do
what you please with me. Twill employ
no counsel Twill make 10 defense. The
law may take its course. The remainder
Of my life, the manner of my DEATH is a
matter of total Indifference to me. Z
The voice had still its theatrical ring,
but underneath it all there was grim
ness and sincerity that carried with it
the conviction that he meant what he
said. When tho amazed Maxey could
speak, he exclaimo1:
| $50 you confess your share in the
crime without equivocation?"
| ''Sir, I can only confess the truth, but
as I am not man of veracity that
would have little weight. If you have
any evidence ut all of any wrong dealing
on my part, an ignorant and uncultivated
jury would undoubtedly do your work
and convict me Of anything. 1 look like
q villain. I have all the suspicious and
unexplainable habits of a villain. Twelve
average men would say at once: He is
a villain. Let us punish him.
"And You haven't a shadow Of sus-
| picion of what you would be accused?"
| ''Sir, of what use is it to question me!
| If I say no, you will not believe me. II
I say yes, should only lay myself open
to further questions, which it would be
| impossible for me to answer, and then
| you would not believe me- In any case
| should be a liar and an equivocator in
| your eyes. The shortest way is to call
the police at once. Sir, have used al
cohol very freely Of late years, and il
has partially succeeded in achieving the
result to secure which learned to like
| it-in bunting my senses and brutaliz-
| ing my intellect, but / have yet remain
| ing to me, think may say without
exaggeration, sufficient penetration and
sagacity to understand that gentleman
| like yourself does not take such pains tc
become possessed Of the person of so
cial outcast like myself unless he be.
lieves such step of supreme imror-
tance Doubtless You have your theo
ries?"
/ Doubtless i have You have parried
my question very ingeniously, Mr.. Dye.
Let me see what you will say to the
next. You spoke of the truth in the
matter What is the truth?"
"Sir, Twill answer you unreservedly.
connect my presence here, not without
some degree Of naturalness you mus
admit, to the interest you take in tht
young lady whom / have reared as my