Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-11-18
JUST IN TIME
FOR DINNER.
SIDE from some noted criminal

SIDE from some noted CRIMINAL
~ prosecutions which l conducted
L y several years ago, the incident
which I am about to relate was one Oh
Ahe most interesting chapters in my pro-
fessional life. 1t had been stormy No
yember day. During the morning the rain
had come down in torrents. Toward noon
the water began to crystalline as 1t &c
scended, and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting in very I'M
comfortable way. 1t grew dark early.
Perhaps it was because Of this that de-
eSded to go home an hour earlier than
usual. I say perhaps, because have al
ways thought that providence had some
thing to do with my going out on to the
street at that moment. Passing up Broad
way I turned into Fourteenth street to
cross to the elevated railroad station.
Near the corner | encountered crowd
Of men and boys, in the center Of which
stood a bluecoat with a prisoner. Stand
ing on tip-toe, | saw that the prisoner
was young lad with a remarkably hand
some face and gentlemanly manner. A
call had been sent in for a patrol wagon,
and the policeman was waiting the re-
Spouse. The boy looked thoroughly fright
ened AS I reached the spot he was pro-
testing his innocence and begging to be
released.
81 tell you honestly, sir, it is mistake
I know nothing of the jewelry. l am in
nocent, sir; 1 am, truly"
That's all right, you young rascal"
the policeman replied. Nobody that's ar
sested ever steals anything. But when
we get our clutches on EN- they don't
generally turn out such innocents as they
elaiu."
Just then the patrol wagon dashed up,
two officers alighted, and the boy was
quickly hustled up the steps of the wagon
and driven off.
what station?" asked as they drove
off toward the south. There was no re-
ply, but by walking rapidly in the direc-
ton taken by the officers [ soon brought
up at the Mercer street station where, as
an attorney, soon obtained an interview
with the lad whose face had so greatly
interested me. When I was shown to his
cell he was weeping bitterly, and appear
I'd to be in absolute despair.
81 saw you at the patrol box" said by
way of introduction, "and thought would
IKE to find out little more about your
ease. / am lawyer; and if you are in
accent, as l think you must be, will see
what can be done to get you out Of this.
Ny name is Lawson, what is yours?"
"Frank Orr he said promptly, as a
wave of gratitude and hope swept over his
face. Then he added: This is very kind
Of you, sir. The whole miserable business
Is mistake. I never took bit Of the
jewelry; not a bit"
Then l sat down on the cot beside
Frank and asked him to tell me all about
his trouble.
His home was in Western Vermont, he
said, and he had been in New York about
a year. He had come here to get start
Ga the world. While his success had not
Seen all that his fancy used to paint it,
jet, considering the hard times, he had
done very well. Once month he had
been able to send little money to his
mother, who needed his help sorely. For
SIX months past he had been employed in
ahe shop Of a manufacturing jeweIer That
day twenty valuable rings and some 9th
q articles had disappeared from show
ssxse. They We're missed Just after the
zos<n hour. During that hour the work
men were always out at lunch, and Frank
and another young man named Lerch
we're usually in charge But to-day Lerch
was sick at home, and Frank was in the
xAep alone
Did You see no one about the premises
Asring that hour?' I asked.