Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1897-06-17
n HE Judge had dined and was en-

jOying an after-dinner cigar be
Il fore turning to a pile of papers
that lay Oh the table at his elbow. Yet
even as he watched the Pickering fire
and pulled dreamily at his cigar, luXu-
Rating in little relaxation after hard
days work in a close and crowded
court, his mind was busy formulating
the sentences in which he intended to
sum up IA case that had been tried that
day. There could be no doubt as to the
guilt of the prisoner, who had been ac-
cused of most impudent fraud. and
though 1t was a first offcnse the Judge
Intended to pass the severest sentence
which the law allowed.
The Judge was no believer in short
sentences. He regarded leniency to Il
criminal as an offense against society
direct encouragement to those who
hesltated on the brink of vicious courses
ana were only restrained by fear of
punishment. The well-meaning people
who got up petitions to mitigate the
sentence upon justly convicted thief
or murderer were, in his eyes, guilty
of mawkinsh sentimentality. There
was no trace of weakness or effeminacy
In his own face, with its grzzled eye
brows, somewhat cold gray eyes, thin
lips and massive chin. He was a just
man, just to the splitting of a hair, but
austere and Unconditional
He had conducted the trial with the
most scrupulous impartiality, but now
that verdict of guilty was foregone
conclusion he determined to make an
example of one who had so shamefully
abused the confidence placed in him.
Stated briefly the situation was rs
follows: The prisoner, Arthur Max
well. was cashier to a firm of solicitors,
Lightbody 4 Dufton. The only sur
viving partner of the original firm. Mr..
Lightbody, had recently died. leaving
the business to his nephew. Thomas
Faulkner. Faulkner accused Arthur
Maxwell of having cmbeZzled Il sum of
$3.50. Maxwell admitted of having
taken the money, but positively assert
ed that it had been presented to him
as free gift by Mr.. Lightbody. I'm.
fortunately for the prisoner, the letter
which he had stated had accompanied
the check could not be produced. and
Faulkner. supported by the evidence
of several well-known experts. declar-
ed the signature on the check to be a
forgery. When the check-boo was cX-
amined the>counterfoil was discovered
to be blan ThI. prisoner asserted
that Mr. Lightbody Idf0% - Sn.u
out a blank check and had filled it ard
signed it at his private residence. He
could, however, produce no proof of
this assertion, and all the evidence
available was opposed to his unsup-
ported statement.
arthur Maxwell" soliloquized the
Judge, you have been convicted on
evidence that leaves no shadow of
doubt of your guilt of crime which
l must characterize as one Of the
bascst--"
The chattering of voices in the hall
brought the soliloquy to an abrupt con-
clusion. The Judge required absolute
silence and solitude when he was en-
gagged in study, and the servants, who
stood in constant awe of him, were ex-
tremely careful to prevent the least
disturbance taking place within ear
shot of his sanctum. He jerked the bell
impatiently, intending to give good
wigging to those responsible for the
disturbance.
But the door was thrown open by his
daughter Mabel, a pretty girl of II,
who was evidently in state Of breath
less excitement.
"Oh, papa" she exclaimed, there's
such queer little object that wants to
see you. Please let her come in"
Before the Judge could demonstrate
n little child, a rosyfaced girl of be-
tween and 6, in a red hood and cloak,
hugging a black puppy under one arm
and brown paper parcel under the
other, trotted briskly into the room.
The Judge rose to his feet with an
expression which caused his daughter
to vanish with remarkable celebrity.
The door closed with bang. He could
hear her feet scudding rapidly up
stairs, and he found himself alone with
the small creature before him.
"What on earth are you doing here
child?' he asked, irritably. "What can
you possibly want with me? She re-
manned silent, staring at him with
round. frightened eyes. "Come. come
can't you find your tongue, little grip
he asked more gently. What is it you
want with me"
"If you please" she said timidly
'T've brought you Tommy"
Tommy was clearly the fat puppy
for as she bent her face toward him he
wagged his tail and promptly licked
the end Of her nose.
"Come here" he said, sitting down
"and tell me all about it."
She advanced fearlessly toward him
as animals and children did in his I'M
official moods.
This Is Tommy, l suppose?" he
said, taking the puppy on his knee
where it expressed it's delight by &C.
static contortions of the body, and ap
peared to consider his watch chain a
fascinating article of diet.
give broughted you other things as
WELL" she said opening the brown pa
per parcel, and revealing a doll with q
very beautiful complexion, large blue
eyes, and hair Of the purest gold. q
dminutve Noah's ark, white pig, q
woolly sheep, case of crayons, d
penholder, broken-bladed knife, q
small paint box, picture book or two
and what bore some faint resemblance
to number Of water color sketches
She seemed particularly proud of the
last named.