The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-08-04
NOT A THIEF.

nor A THIEF.
He was not . bad looking man, the
prisoner at the bar.
Dissipation had left its mark, but there
was something about the face that made
you think that back in his young man
hood were other and happier days. He
was not raised thief, this man accused
of stealing diamond ring.
The court officials noticed the clear cut
features which might have once been
handsome, the matted hair which once
curled in beautiful ringlets, and said:
"The fellow is changed; prison life has
done him good. When we got him he
was the ugliest- looking fellow in Jail, but
since he has got the prison pallor he
looks as if he might be an imitation of .
gentleman"
Six months Of enforced sobriety and
good habits had certainly made great
change. Perhaps the jury noticed it, too
The ring was valuable one, and yet the
sentence was for only year.
"Prisoner, stand np!'' said the Judge
when the foreman had handed in thever-
dict. slave you anything to say why
the sentence of the court should not be
pronounced upon you2"
The prisoner slowly arose, and in de-
liberate tones replied:
your honor, have something to say,
and will not tire you with my speech, l
think. I have been worthless, drunken
vagabond, your honor, but l am not
thief. The ring which was found in my
pocket belonged to my mother, dead and
in heaven years ago. It is better so. /
wonder, your honor, if the angels know
of the shame and disgrace of those they
loved on earth9
"The lady identified the ring, but l
believe that she was honestly mistaken ;
the rings are probably similar. stand
before you to-day, your honor, the wreck
of what was once a man; the urchins on
the street jeer at me and laugh at my
rags. l have been homeless and hungry,
yoar honor, and would barter my soul
for glass of something warm to start the
cold blood once more coursing through
my veins. But am not thief.
II would not harm God s weakest Great
ure. As boy gathered the MANNED and
wounded animals from street into the
kitchen, and fed them as no man yet ever
fed and cared for me. was happy boy.
My father was wealthy and distinguished,
my home luxurious. l went to college
and graduated with honor, and soon
afterward, on the death Of my father.
succeeded him in the practice of law.
My mother died and the property was
mine. I was a rich man. Then came
months of dissipation. My companions
were, like myself, possessed Of ample for
tunes. Our revels were the talk of the
city, and We were proud of the fact. We
had none but the choicest wines, and was
glad when l could drink more than the
others could stand; thought it was a
mark of manhood, your honor.
SIT is the same old story. Twill make
it short. I became a common drunkard,
my property was gone, everything but
the ring. / could not part with that; it
was the only link which bound me to a
happy past, the only tie between me and
the mother who bore me, who cared
for me, who loved me. Many a night
when was cold and hungry have taken
it out beneath the glistening stars, and
its sparkles were as if my mothers eyes
were looking at me with the brightness
which once was theirs. It was only q
fancy your honor, but it was very dear to
me. Twas arrested while drunk one night
and the ring was taken from me; then
the lady recognized it as one she had lost.
But she is wrong, your honor. The ring
is mine! am drunkard and q vaga-
bond, but thief-neverl
As he stopped speaking he drew a
small paper package from his pocket.
Where he got 1t no one knew; and before
his hand could be arrested he had swal-
lowed the contents. The lawyers jumped
to their feet and seized the prisoner; .
doctor was sent for; but before medical
assistance could be obtained the prisoner
was beyond the reach of human skill.
mother, am not thief was only
drunk" he muttered.
The door opened, and woman entered
in great excitement.
s'Judge, Judge, stop the trial have
found my ring. He didn't steal It. I
was mistaken"
Toe late! The soul had taken its ap-
peal to higherthan all hannah courts.-
Demorests Magazine.
That's.
The merchant can take an article worth
rs cents and cell it for e1-that's business.
The mechanic can take q material worth
% and make ii into : watch worth 600
that's skill.
Vanderbilt can write few words on I
sheet Of paper and make it worth $5,-