Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-06-17

- fore turning to a pile of papers
that lay on the table at his elbow. Yet
even as he watched the tlickering fire
and puffed dreamily at his cigar, luXu-
Rating in little relaxation after hard
days work in a close and crowded
court, his mind was busy formulating
the sentences in which he intended to
sum IN n case that had been tried that
day. There could be no doubt as to the
guilt of the prisoner, who had been ac-
cused Of a most impudent fraud, and
though it was first offense the Judge
intended to pass the severest sentence
which the law allowed.
The Judge was no believer in short
sentences. He regarded leniency to a
criminal as an Offense against society
direct encouragement TO those who
hesitated on the brink of vicious courses
and were only restrained by fear of
punishment. The well-meaning people
who got up petitions to mitigate the
sentence upon justly convicted thief
or murderer were. in his eyes, guilty
of mawklnsh sentimentality. There
was no trace of weakness or effeminacy
in his own face, with its grizzled eye
brOws, somewhat cold gray eyes, thin
lips and massive chin. He was just
man, just to the splitting of hair, but
austere and Unconditional
He had conducted the trial with the
most scrupulous impartiality, but now
that verdict of guilty was foregone
conclusion he determined to make an
example Of one who had so shamefully
abused the confidence placed in him.
Stated briefly, the situation was as
follows: The prisoner, Arthur Max
well, was cashier to firm of solicitors.
Lightbody " DuftOn. The only sur
viving partner of the original firm. Mr..
LightbOdy, had recently died. leaving
the business to his nephew, Thomas
Faulkner. Faulkner accused Arthur
Maxwell of having embezzled a sum of
$3.50. Maxwell admitted of having
taken the money, but positively assert
ed that it had been presented to him
as II free gift by Mr.. Lightbody. Un-
fortunately for the prisoner, the letter
which he had stated had accompanied
the check could not be produced, and
Faulkner. supported by the evidence
of several well-known experts. declar-
ed the signature on the check to be a
forgery. When the check book was eX-
amined the counterfol was discovered
to be blank The prisoner asserted
that Mr.. Lightbody had himself taken
out blank check and had filled it and
signed 1t at his private residence. He
could, however, produce no proof of
this assertion, and all the evidence |
available was opposed to his unsup-
ported statement.
arthur Maxwell" soliloouized the
Judge, you have been convicted on
evidence that leaves no shadow of
doubt of your guilt of crime which |
| must characterize as one of the
DaSeSt-"
The chattering Of voices in the hall |
brought the soliloquy to an abrupt con-
clusion. The Judge required absolute
silence and solitude when he was en-
gagged in study, and the servants, who |
stood in constant awe of him, were eX-
tremely careful to prevent the least |
disturbance taking place within ear
shot of his sanctum. He jerked the bell |
impatiently, intending to give n good
wigging to those responsible for the
disturbance.
But the door was thrown open by his !
daughter Mabel, a pretty girl of IL,
who was evidently In state of breath
less excitement
"Oh, papa" she exclaimed, "here's
such II queer little object that wants to
see you. Please let her come in"
Before the Judge could remonstrate
little child, rosy-faced girl of be-
tween and q, in red hood and cloak.
hugging black puppy under one arm
ana n brown paper parcel under the
other, trotted brlskly into the room.
The Judge rose to his feet with an
expression which caused his daughter
to vanish with remarkable celerity.
The door closed with bang. He could
near her feet scuddlng rapidly up-
stairs and he found himself alone with
the small creature before him.
What on earth are you doing here,
childF' he asked, irritably. what can
you possibly want with meg" She re-
manned silent. staring at him with
round, frightened eyes. Come, come,
can't you find your tongue. little glrl?"
he asked more gently. what is 1t you
want with meg"
IF you please" she said timldly,
I've brought you Tommy"
Tommy was clearly the fat puppy.
for as she bent her face toward him he
wagSed his tail and promptly licked
the end Of her nose.
Come here" he said, sitting down,
s,anI foil mo oil ohNut IAu