Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-11-25
JUST IN TIME
FOR DINNER,

A SIDE from some noteo cr1Minal
n prosecutions which l conducted
II several years ago, the incident
which I am about to relate was one OF
the most interesting chapters in my pro-
fessioual life. 1t had been q stormy No
vember day. During the morning the rain
had come down in torrents. Toward noon
the water began to crystallixe % 1t de-
scended, and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting in a very IN
comfortable way. 1t grew dark early.
Pernaps it was because of this that de-
dded to go home IN hour earlier than
usual. 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 I turned into Fourteenth street to
cross to the elevated railroad station.
Near the corner l encountered q crowd
Of men and boys, in the center Of which
stood a bluecoat with a prisoner. Stand
ing on tip-toe, I saw that the prisoner
was a 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-
Wonse. The boy looked thoroughly fright
ened. A. I reached the spot he vas pro-
testing his innocence and begging to he
released.
Il tell you honestly, sir. it is a mistake.
I know nothing Of the jewelry. l am in
nocent, sir: I am, truly"
THAT'S all right, you young rascal"
the policeman replied. Nobody that's ar
rested ever steals anything. But when
We get our clutches on EN- they don't
OonA- 1Iv <aprvn rs,f sroh SnnrnpOufS oa fhov
claim"
Just then the patrol wagon dashed up.
two officers alighted, and the boy VAS
and driven OF.
OF toward the south. There was no re-
ply, but by walking rapidly in the direc-
ton taken BY the officers I oon brought
up at the Mercer street station, where. as
IN attorney, I soon obtained an interview
with the lad whose face had SO greatly
interested me. When l was shown to his
cell he was weeping bitterly. and appear
ed to be In absolute despair.
1.saw you at the patrol box" I said by
way Of Introduction, land thought l would
like to find out q little more about your
case. l am a lawyer: and il you are in
nocent, a. l think you must be. I will see
what ~ be done to get you out Of this.
Ny name is Lawson. what IL yoursT
"Frank Orr" he said promptly. A. q
wave OF gratitude and hope swept over his
face. Then he added: This is very kind
Of you, sir. The whole miserable business
h . mistake. never took 4 bit Of the
jeweiry: not . bit"
Then l sat down on the cot beside
Frank and asked him to tell me all about
his trouble.
HiaS hume vas 10 Western Vermont, he
mid, and he had been Ia New York about
Q year. He had come here to get q start
IN the world. While his success had not
been al that his fancy used to paint it,
yet. considering the hard times, he had
done very we'll. Once . month he had
been able to send 4 little money to his
mother, who needed his help sorely. For
ok months past he had been employed in
the shop4of . manufacturing jeweler. That
day twenty valuable rings and some 9th
er articles had disappeared from a show
cas- They were missed just after the
oon hour. During that hour the work
men were always out at lunch. and Frank
Ind another young man named Lcrch
were usually IN charge. But to-day Lcrch
was sick ut home, and Frank was in the
shop alone.
did you see no n shout the premises
during that hOur?" asked.