Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1897-11-27
JUST IN TIME
FOR DINNER,

u prosecutions which ! conducted
Il \ several years ago, the incident
which am about to relate was one of
the most interesting chapters IN my pro-
fcssional life. 1t had been n stormy No.
vcmbcr day. During the morning the rain
had come down IN torrents. Toward noon
the water began To crystalline ns 1t de-
sccnded. and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting In n very un-
comfortable way. Ii grew dark early.
Perhaps IL was because of this that ! dc-
cdcd TO go home an hour earlier than
usual. I say perhaps. because / have al.
ways thought that providence had some
thing 70 do with my going out on to the
street at that moment. Passing up Brond.
way turned into Fourteenth street to
cross TO the elevated railroad station.
Near the corner ! encountered u crowd
of men and boys. In the center of which
stood a bluecoat with u prisoner. Stand.
Ing on tip.toc. I saw that the prisoner
was young lad with remarkably hand.
some face and geutlcmanly manner. a
call had been sent In for n patrol wagon,
and the policeman was waiting the re-
sponsc. Tho hoy looked thoroughly fright
cncd. As reached the spot hc was pro.
testing his innocence and begging to be
released.
II tell you honestly. sir. It Is mistake.
] know nothing of the jcwelry. am In.
nocent. sir: ! am. truly"
That's al right. You young rascal"
the policeman replied. "Nobody that's ar.
rested ever steals anything. But when
we get our clutches on 'em they don't
generally turn out such innoccnts rs they
claim"
Just then the patrol wagon dashed up,
two officers aightcd. and the boy was
quickly hustled up the steps OF the wagon
and driven OF.
what ,tation!" I asked rs they drove
oil toward the south. There was no re-
ply. but by walking rapidly IN the dircc.
tion taken by the officers ! soon brought
up NJ the Mercer street station. where. rs
m attorney. I soon obtained an interview
with the lad whose face had so greatly
interested ne. When ] was shown 10 his
cell he was weeping bitterly. and appear.
cd to be III absolute despair.
II saw you ~ the patrol box" said by
way Of introduction. 'and thought would
like 10 find out little more about your
case. ! am a lawyer; and IL you are in-
nocent, rs think you must be. ] will see
what can be done TO get you out of this.
My name is Lawson. what is yours;'
Frank Orr" he said promptly. as n
wave of lrattudc and hope swept over his
face. Then he added; This Is very kind
OF you, sir. The whole miserable business
is u mistake. ] never took II bit Of the
jewery; rot Bit"
Then I sat down on the cot beside
Frank and asked him to tell me al! about
his trouble.
His home vas In Western Vermont. he
said, and he had been In New York about
year. He had come here to get n start
in the world. While his success had not
been all that his fancy used to paint II.
yer, considering the hard times. he had
done very well. Once month he had
been able 10 send little money to his
mother, who needed his help sorely. For
six months past he had been employed in
the shop Of a manufacturing jewcler. That
day twenty valuable rings and some 9TH
or articles had disappeared from show
case. They were missed just after the
noon hour. During that hour the work
men were always out NJ 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
shop alone.
did you sec no one about the premises
during that houri" ! asked.
"No one bat Hogan, the janitor."
WAS he in the roomT'
mo, am sure h" was not
did sou see him a. all between twelve
aud oncY
Yes said Frank "he came to the rear
door and called me to 90 back and look at
team OF fine horses In the alley"
How long were you out OF the room; =
] asked.
Not more than two minutes"
"COuld a person come from the front
hall during that time without your know
ing itf"
mo. indeed said young Orr, earnestly
Il locked the door before ! ran out tC
look at the horses"
Then IL the jewclry was taken while
you were In charge il could have beer
taken by 20 ore but yourself" ! sai1
somewhat severely to see what effect th'
conclusion would have on thc.pr.sOner.
ut looks bad for me- sir. especially a'
one Of the rings was found In my overcoa
pocket"
THAT last fact counts for nothing
remarked and added Tel me candidly
Orr. have you no theory upon which th'
thing can be 6Xplainedt"
mo, sir, | have not; II seems very
strange; can't understand it. he said
his voice trembling perceptibly, aud hi
eyes again filling with tears.
lit IL a trihe mysterious. my youn!
friend" | said, rising. "But ! somehow