Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1897-11-19
JUST In TIME
FOR DINNER.

A SIDE from some noted crimina
n prosecutions which | conducted
Il \ several years ago, the incident
which l am about to relate was one oil
the most interesting chapters in my pro
fessional life. 1t had been a stormy No.
vember day. During the morning the rain
had come down in torrents. Toward noon
the water began to crystallize as it de-
scended, and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting III very un-
comfortable way. 1t grew dark early.
Perhaps it was because Of this that de-
cided to go home an hour earlier than
usual. say perhaps, because l 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 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 bluecoat with a prisoner. Stand
ing on tip-toe, / saw that the prisoner
was a young lad with remarkably hand
some face and gentlemanly manner. A
call had been sent in for patrol wagon,
and the policeman was waiting the re-
sponse. The boy looked thoroughly fright
ened. AZ | reached the spot he was pro-
testing his innocence and begging to be
released.
Il tell you honestly, sir, it is mistake.
l know nothing Of the jewelry. am in
nocent, sir; / 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
generally turn out such innocents as they
claim"
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 stationr' | 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 was shown to his
cell he was weeping bitterly, and appear
ed to be in absolute despair.
Il saw you at the patrol box" said by
way Of introduction, ''and thought would |
like to find out little more about your
case. | am a lawyer: and if you are in
nocent, as think you must be, will see |
what can be done to get you out of this. |
MY name is Lawson, what is yoursY
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 /
ls mistake. | never took bit of the
jewelry; not BIT"
Then ! sat down on the cot beside
Frank and asked him to tell me all about
bis trouble.
His home was in Western Vermont. he
said, and he had been in New York about
year. He had come here to get start
N the world, While his success had not
been all that his fancy used to paint it.
yet, considering the hard times, he had
lone very well. Once a month he had
'een able to send a little money to his
mother, who needed his help sorely. For
'H months past he had been employed In
ne shop Of q manufacturing jeweler. That
lay twenty valuable rings and some 9TH
r articles had disappeared from a show
'ase They were missed Just after the
loon hour. During that hour the work
men were always out at lunch, and Frank ,
lnd another young man named Lerch
we're usually in charge. But to-day Lercb !
vas SICK at home, and Frank was in the ,
hop alone
Did you see no one about the premises !
Iuring that hour? asked.