Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-11-18
JUST IN TIME
FOR DINNER.

SIDE from some noted criminal
~ prosecutions which L conducted
N several years ago, the incident
which 1 am about to relate was one of
t.e most interesting chapters in my pro-
Seasionsl lie. 1t had been stormy No
vember day. During the morning the rain
had come down in torrents. Toward noon
the water began to crystalline as 1t de-
scended, and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting in very UNI
comfortable way. 1t grew dark early.
Perhaps il was because of this that de-
uiled to go home an hour earlier than
usual. l say perhaps, because have al
ways thought that providence had some
thing to do with my going out on to the
street ut that moment Passing up Broad
way l turned into Fourteenth street to
cress TO the elevated railroad station.
Near the corner l encountered crowd
or men and boys, in the center of which
stood bluecoat with prisoner. Stand
ing on tip-toe, l saw that the prisoner
was a young lad with a remarkably hand
some face and gentlemanly manner. A
cal had been sent in for Il patrol wagon,
and the policeman was waiting the re-
Spouse. The hoy looked thoroughly fright
eued AS reached the spot he was pro-
tcstaa, his innocence and begging to be
xricased.
II tell you honestly, sir. it is mistake.
I know nothing Of the jewelry. l am in
Hoccut, sir l am. truly"
That's all right. you young rascal"
the policeman replied. Nobody that's ar
rested ever steals anything. But when
we Eci our clutches on EN- they don't
geocrally turn out such innocents as they
claim
lust then the patrol wagon dashed up,
two officers alighted. and the boy was
quickly hustled up the steps of the wagon
and driven off.
~Wkut stationT' | asked as they drove
on toward the south There was no re-
ply, but by walking rapidly in the direc-
tsoa takea by the officers / soon brought
Mp mt the Mercer street station. where. as
an attorney, soon obtained an interview
with the lad whose face had so greatly
Interested me. When was shown to his
cell he was weeping bitterly, and appear
ed 10 be in absolute despair.
81 saw you ar the patrol box" I said by
way ot introduction, "and thought would
like to find out little more about your
case. Il am u lawyer; and if you are in
noccBt. rs | think you must be, will see
what can he done to get you out OF this.
Ny NAME Is Lawson, what is yours?"
trank Orr" he said promptly, as n
wave OF gratitude and hope swept over his
SAGE. Then he added: This is very kind
OF you, sir. The whole miserable business
Ss mistake. never took bit Of the
jeueiry; not bit"
Then | sat down on the cot beside
Frank and asked him to tell me all about
HIS trouble.
Hfs home was in Western Vermont. he
ssid, and he had been in New York about
year. He had come here to get a start
In the world. While his success had not
brew all that his fancy used to paint it.
yet, considering the hard times. he had
done very we'll. Once month he had
beca able to send n little money to his
mother. who needed his help sorely. For
siz months past he had been employed in
tte shop OF manufacturing jeweler. That
day twenty valuable rings and some 9th
er articles bad disappeared from a show
ease. They were missed just after the
NOON hour. During that hour the work
men were always out ut lunch, and Frank
and another young man named Lerch
were usually IN charge. But to-day Lerch
WINS sick at home, and Frank was in the
sa,op alone.
during that hour?' asked.
mo one but Hogan. the janitor."
WAS he in the rooms"
mo. am sure he was not"
did you see him at all between twelve
spd oney'
Yes said Frank, che came to the rear
door and called me to go back and look at
. team of fine horses in the alley"
How long were you out of the room y
asked.
MOT more than two minutes"
"C6uld person come from the front
Ball during that time without your know
ing isY'
mo, indeed" said young Orr, earnestly;
n locked the door before l ran out to
k,sk ut the horses"
Then IL the jeweIry was taken while
Ssn were in charge 1t could have been