The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-22
A LOCAL NEWS ITEM.

convict cases. Flo belonged to that great
mass of humanity which laborcd in tho
factories, and to the ordinary observer
did not appear like man who had
served four years in the state peniten-
tiary. Tho prison pallor which marked
him as convict when he departed from
that institution had disappeared from
his face, and he carried his head erect.
When McBryan took tho witness
stand, he held up his right hand and
swore tho evidence he was about to give
was tho truth, tho whole truth and
nothing but the truth whatsoever to
God. Ho answered i'll the affirmative
when asked by tho chairman of the
board if there was any reason why his
name should not be stricken from tho
registry list.
"When were you arrestcd?" demand
ed the official. ,
"In 1884," replied the witness.
For what crimo?"
''Theft, sir. -
"Wero you convicted?''
Yes; first i'll tho police court, and
later i'll the superior criminal court.
But, gentlcmen," pleaded tho witness,
10 NSo 1Oi a CllllC uGNtI
and don t sce-I don't see how Il man
should loso his vote when hos inno-
cent"
McBryan's words were spoken ear
ncstly.
Those fow persons in tho room saith.
cred closer around the central group.
The commissioners settled down i'll their
chairs and listened with greater atten-
ton.
Seated in "a chair near tho reporters
table Joseph Colby, tho representative
Of tho press, tapped his pencil thought
fully against the pad on the desk. IIo
heard the testimony of McBryan with
interest, and when tho witness declared
his innocence Of crime for which he
served four years in states prison tho
newspaper man jottcd down the state
ment and mentally resolved to write up
good story of tho proceedings for his
sheet.
as Colby went away from city hall
with enough notes for II column article
his first opinion remained unchanged.
The story was II good one. 1t was an
exclusive, and under display head
lines would lool; attractive. Then tho
city editor would recognize the merits
Of the work. and TO win the favor of
that parsonage was considered diplo-
matte by all knowing reporters.
However, crime, disaster and Incl
dents of intense human interest play
such Il prominent part in the life of u
newspaper man that Colby just viewed
tho facts i'll professional light. Scnti-
ha t,,1,,,,l,t ra1, 8
| place i'll "A reporter OH one Of the modern
progressive liews distributors. 1t was II
strong feature i'll stories. however, and
met with the approval of the reading
public.
Colby hurried along the crowded thor
oughfarcs to The Press building and
was soon grinding out copy for the
typesetting machines. He told the story
Of McBryan's claims of innocence and
followed with the action of the commits
sioncrs i'll granting him the privilege of
casting his ballot III AL election con-
tests. Tho commission evidently thought
him imprisoned falsely.
The cold air of the night stamped its
mark plainly on the thin face OF the lit
tie woman i'll black. She WAS Il stranger
i'll tho editorial rooms of metropolitan
daily and seemed rather startled ut the
multitude of reporters, the inccssant
ticking Of telegraph instruments, the
shouting for moro copy" and other
strange sights.
us the editor in:" she inquired tim
idly Of the stately man ut tho head of
the room.
He nodded yes and asked her Grand
My husbands John McBrynn, " she
remarked i'll way Of explanation, land
como to sec if you'd keep out that
story bout his comm before those lee
ton commissioners.
You see," she continued, choking
| down lump which rose III her throat,
hes been III prison once, and when the
men no works for finds out they lust
discharge him rs suspicious character
He's got a good job in factory now
and has steady work and tries to earn
an honest Twin, but that makes no diff
ference. He's lost many good Job al
ready cause tho men he works with
found he's been convict. They tell
him that he or they must quit. John
says he's Innocent and / believe him,
and, mister, if you print that story tell
i'll all about him bein in prison, even
though he's innocent. the men'll read
1t, and that means John will have to
lose his place. And that amt ALL We've
had to keep movin from house to house
cause the men say they don t want con-
vlcts In their tcnements. 1 hain't got
any money to pay you to keep the story
out, but if you wouldn't print it I'd be
much obliged.
WHO told you we had the story?"
asked the editor