Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1894-08-04
ANOTHER CRIME.

Shortly after Mr.. Boyd's roturn 20 West
Point he missed sums OF money brought
from home, but said nothing about TO- In
tho class with Mr.. Boyd was man who
had entered West Point at the avowed age
OF 25, though undoubtedly much older, IA
his appearance indicated. During war
time the extreme Of age for admission
there, which before and since was and is
limited TO 22 years, had been extcnded TO
25. This was Done In order 10 permit
young men who had achieved distinction
In real warfare the opportunity of aoquir.
Ing military education. So this mar
named Casey, had entered at the acknowl-
edged age Of 25.
He was absolutely without money and
belonged 70 an Irish family In humble
circumstances, and his superior age and
cunning untitled Mr.. Boyd 10 cope with
him. Mr.. Casey was compelled to procure
money at all hazards. Before entering
West Point no had married That fact, II
known, would have dismissed him at onco
from the academy, Ia accordance with the
laws governing that institution, which
permit no cadet 10 marry. In the academy
at that time were several cadets, sons Of
very wealthy parents, who, contrary TO
West Point rules, kept In their rooms at
barracks large sums Of money. Tha. was
Casey's opportunity, for he had constant
med OF 1t with which TO snenoe his wifa
who had threatened hts exposure
So great was the confidence OF the acad-
emy classmates In each other that the
money was simply placed In a trunk, 10
which all the clique had access and used
plios cadets with all necessary articles, 50
that only luxuries need be purchased
Even 10 those generous young mon the
disappearance Of money In large sums be-
came puzzling and led to inquiries which
developed into suspicious, and n plan was
formed 20 mark some Of the bills. and thus
discover the cvildUcr
Mr.. Boyd. hy reason Of his unpopularity
was unaware of those movements, and h,
had told no one OF his own losses Tho ca
diets had informed their Immediate com
mandant that money was constantly bcinI
stolen in the corps. Aghast at such stat.
Of affairs, no had authorized and selcctc,
n committee Of cight-two from each com
pany-to find and punish the thief In al
unguardod moment tho commandant ha,
said, IF you find the offender, you cal
deal with him rs you deem advisable"
The most prominent member Of tn
committee was Casey, himself the rea
culprit. After porfunotory scare
through quarters occupied by other cadets
they reached Mr.. Boyds and found moth
Ing 10 reward their efforts At that juno
ture Casey glanced upward at pile O
books lying on some shelves and said
Lot US look at that largo dictionary
Casoy's room was directly opposite tina
occupied by Mr.. Boyd, who roomed alon
because of his unpopularity. Mr.. Boyd
room was unguarded and accessible, SO n
doubt Casey had frequently entered II am
taken money from the man he now pub
lloly accused The search took place a
noon, when the main body Of the corp
were at dinner. On Mr.. Boyd's return {
his room he found 1t filed with cadet.
who madly accused him of che crime
White with horror and shame unspeaka
bic, he answered their charges In a vs.
which would have convinced any Judge u
human nature that no was entirely innc
cent Sinking To his kneos and raising nj
eyes To heaven. he cried. by the memor
OF my dead mother, I swear know moth
ing whatever OF this money!"
But the supposed oulprit was IN th
hands Of Philistines. No thought OF mere
impelhed them. i now quote from pull
lished account by an eyewitness tho seen
later In tho day lit was n cold, sad la,
terless day. The air was full of snow. an
the cold was bitter Orders were given 3
fall into ranks In the area of the barrack
' for updress nArade The cadet adiutsn