Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-11-26
JUST IN TIME
'''' FOR DINNER.

SIDE from some nOteO criminal
n prosecutions which l conducted
n several years ago, the incident
which | am about to relate was one OF
tho most interesting chapters in my pro-
,essional life. 1t had been II stormy No
yember day. During the morning the rain
had come down in torrents. Toward noon
the water began to crystalline as II de
scepded. and all afternoon the snow had
been blowing and drifting in very I'M
comfortable way. 1t grew dark early.
Perhaps it was because Of this that de-
cded TO 90 home an hour earlier than
usual. say perhaps, because l nave al
ways thought that providence had some
thing to do with my going out on to the
street at that moment. Passing up Broad
way turned into Fourteenth street to
cross to the elevated railroad station.
Near the corner l encountered crowd
Of men and boys, in the center of which
stood buecoat with II prisoner. Stand
ing on tip-toe. saw that the prisoner
was young lad with n remarkably hand
some face and gentlemanly manner.
call had been sent in for patrol wagon.
and the policeman was waiting the re-
Spouse. The boy looked thoroughly fright
ened. AS reached the spot he was pro-
testing his innocence and begging to be
released
Il tell you honestly. sir. it is mistake.
know nothing Of the jewelry. l 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 'em 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 station?" I asked as they drove
on toward the south. There was no re-
ply. but by walking rapidly in the direc-
non taken by the officers l soon brought
up at the Mercer street station, where, rs
IN attorney, l 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
gu 70 be in absolute despair.
i saw you at the patrol box" said by
way OF Introduction, land thought wOul,
IKE to find out little more about your
case. l am lawyer; and il you are in
nocent, as think you must be, will sen
mat can be done to get you out Of this
ny name is Lawson, what is yours?'
frank Orr" he said promptly, as
~a'e OF gratitude and hope swept over hi
'.ce. Then he added: "This is very kin,
you, sir. The whole miserable business
mistake. l never took a bit Of tn
'ewelry; not bit"
men l sat down on the cot besid
frank and asked him to tell me all abou
bis trouble,
ms home was in Western Vermont, h
sa'd' and he had been in New York abou
year He had come here to get star
~ he world. While his success had no
zen all that his fancy used to paint il
49, considering the hard times, he ha
Sone very we'll. Once a month he ha
~ In able to send little money to hi
s;v .u'er' who needed his help sorely. Flo
ia a months past he had been employed i
do aug snop OF manufacturing jeweler. Tha
10! twenty valuable rings and some otl
90. articles had disappeared from a show
~ They were missed just after tn
MI mn hour. During that hour the worl
.ns were always out at lunch, and Fran
w.. another young man named Lerc
e usually in charge. But to-day Lcrc
=, las sick at home, and Frank was in tn
shop alone, ~ ~
A,. 10 You see no ons about the premise
mat hour" l asked.