The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1897-07-02

lore turning to Il pile Of paper
that lay Oh the table at his elbow. Ye
even as he watched the tiickering fir
and puffed dreamily at his cigar, l,lxu
rating III Il little relaxation after hare
days work in Il close and crowded
court, his mind was busy formulatin:
the sentences in which he intended t,
sum up Il case that had deem tried tha
day. There could be no doubt as to til,
guilt OF the prisoner. who had been &C
cuSod of q most impudent fraud, anl
though it was Il first oiIcnsc the Judge
intended to pass the Severest sentCnct
which the law allowed.
The Judge was no believer in shor
sentences. He regarded lcniency to 8
criminal as an offensc against society
direct encouragement to those who
hestated on the brink OF vicious courses
and were only restrained by fear OF
punishment. The well-meaning people
who got UP petitions to mitigate the
sentence upon Il justly convicted thief
or murderer wcrc. in his eyes, guilty
OF mawkinsh sentimcntalty There
was no trace Of weakness or ctfcminacy
IN his own face. With its gr;zzied eye
brows somewhat cold gray eyes, thin
lips and massive chin. He was a lust
man. just to the splitting of a hair, but
aAlsterc and Unconditional
He had conducted the trial with the
most scrupulous impartality but now
that verdict Of guilty was Il forcgone
conclusion be determined to make an
example of one who had SO shametully
abused the confidence placed in him.
Stated briefly. the situation was as
follows: The prisoner. Arthur Max
well. WAS cashier to a firm of solicitors.
Ii@htbodE q DuftOn. The only SUI
Tiyng partner of the original firm, MI
Lightbody, had recently died. leaving
the business to his nephew. Thomas
Faulkner. Faulkner accused Arthur
Maxwell Of having embeZZlcd a sum OF
$3.50. Maxwell admitted OF having
taken the money. but positively assert
ed that it had been presented to him
as Il free gift by Mr. Lightbody Un-
fortunately for the prisoner. the letter
which he had stated had accompanied
the check could not be produced. and
itihiici. SbI'Ijoi ttt! lllc cNlttIlcC
OF several well-known experts declar-
ed the signature Oh the check to be Il
forgery. When the chcck-book was ex-
amined the countcrfoil was discovered
to be blank. The prisoner asserted
that MI Lightbody had himself taken
out blank check ard had filled it and
signed it at his private residence. He
fn1ll;l hnIy-avnn
this assertion. and all the evidence
available was opposed TO LIS unsup-
ported statement
Arthur IaXwcil," soliloquized the
Judge, ''you have been convicted on
evidence that leaves 10 shadow of
doubt Of Your guilt Of a crime which
| must characterize as one Of the
DaSeSt-"
The chattering Of voices in the hall
brought tho soliloquy to an abrupt cor
clusion. The Judge required absolute
silence and solit;idr when he was en-
gagged i'll study. and the servants. who
stood in constant awe Of him. We're eX-
tremely careful TO prevent the least
disturbance taking place within ear
shot Of his slnctum. He jclkcd the bell
impatcntl", intending to give a good
wi@.ing to those responsible for the
disturbance.
But the door Was thrown open By his
daughter Mabel. q pretty girl Of II.
who was evidently in 4 state Of breath
less excitement
oh, papa." She exclaimed, here's
such queer little object that wants to
see you. Please let her come in
Before the Judge could demonstrate
little child. Il rosy-facad girl of be-
tween and 6, in Il red hood and cloak.
huggpg a black puppy under one arm
and q brown paper parcel under the
other, trottcd 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 a bang. He could
hear her feet scudding rapidly I'D
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-
mained silent, staring at him with
round, frightened eyes. Come, come,
can't you fins your tongue. little girl:"
he asked more gently. What is it you
SFant with me?"
If you please" she said timidly,
i've brought you Tommy"
Tommy was clearly the fat puppy.
for as she bent her face toward him he
wagsed his tail and promptly licked
the end of her nose.
Come here" he said. sitting down,
"and tell he all about it,
She advanced fearlessly toward him,
as animals and children did in his un-
official moods.
This is Tommy, suppose:" he
said. taking the puppy on his knee,
where it expressed its delight by ec-
static contortionS of the body, and ap-
paared to consider his watch chain Z
fascinating article Of diet
i've broughted you other things as
Well she said, opening the brown pa- /
per parcel, and revealing Il doll with q
very beautiful complexion, large blue
eyes and hair of tbn