Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1898-01-23

was the train conductor, the ear con duetor and the porter. As the bag had not been opened by its owner be- tween New York and Toledo. how could she swear that the jewelry was in it at Buffalo and beyond? Mrs. Wickham could only say that no one else but Mrs. Taylor could have taken the bag, and in all but one thing tta prosecu- ton made out very poor case.
 l had been made foreman of the iury, and when we retired 1 found myself halting between two opinions. No legal proof had been advanced that Mrs. Tay- Tor stole the bag, but if there was noth- ing wrong about her why should she conceal her identity? I was almost of the belief that she was an adventures, but yet had sworn to be guided by the evidence. On our first ballot we stood seven for conviction and five for acquit- tall On that ballot I voted for convic- tion, but five minutes later I was using arguments against such a verdict. Deep down in my heart l believed Mrs. Tay- Tor to be the thief, but if we were to be guided by law and evidence she must be acquitted. The second ballot showed eight for acquittal and four for conviction. The four men were pig headed and obstinate, and we had been out seven hours before one of them de- cided to come over to the majority. The other three vowed they would hang out till doomsday, and we put in long night in the jury room. After break fast the next morning went to work at them in earnest. I am neither an ora tor nor a magnetic man, but I went over all the evidence and presented it, pro and con, in such manner that aft CT we had been out about 30 hours a bal l lot showed that we were all for acquit- tai. This was the verdict announced in court, and Mrs. Taylor was at once dis charged from custody. Within two hours Mr. Wiekham had compromised with her for $3,ooo in cash.
 As the days went by that verdict bothered me. Mrs. Taylor had gone to hotel as soon as discharged, and Mr. Wiekham had hired detective to watch her. Ii was determined to dis cover her identity, if nothing more, l ]. AA1 fOAAioh lllOOdOly SdsitSNtNo tAiob she would be watched. After few days she went to Chicago, visited | lawyers office, bank and two CT three other places, and then bought her ticket for Buffalo. The detective had dogged her every movement, and she had made no sign that she was aware of his espionage. He saw her leave the hotel in a carriage for the depot, and as there was plenty of time he took a street car instead. When he went through the train she was not to be found. The man worked on the case for a week without striking her trail and was then hauled off. When this instance came 10 my ears l was conscienee-stricken over our yer diet. The woman must surely be q sharper, and we ought to have strained a point and given her over to justice,
 Two months had gone by, and one evening I was waiting in the Union depot at Cleveland for train. l sat reading a newspaper when woman dropped into the seat beside me and smilingly asked if she was mistaken in thinking l was Mir. So and So of Toledo. I replied that there was no mistake. and then recognized her as Mrs. Taylor.
 sI am so much indebted to you!" she said as she held out her hand and let her smile broaden.
 About your case at Toledo 9"
 "Of course. The prosecution had a poor case against me. but my lawyer was fearful of a verdict of guilty, be- cause l refused to reveal my identity. It of course looked as if I had some thing to conceal"
 But you didn't have?"
 Didn't I?" she exclaimed as she laughed heartily.
 Did you live in Buffalo, as you claimed?' l asked.
 "Of course not"
 "Andisn't your name Tayior?"
 ''Not at all.''
 "Then may ask who you are?"
 You may because you proved your self a good friend in my hour of need. I heard how you brought those four obstinate fellows over to your way of thinking, and I am glad of this op- portunity to show my appreciation in a substantial manner. As to my name, I have half dozen. As to who am I make my living by my wits. If were man I'd, be called a sharper"
 "Then you-you are an adyenturess! 7" I gasped.
 That is probably a correct term, " she laughed.
 And you-?"
 T took the bag of jewelry, of course. You had no doubt of it in your own mind, and yet you stood my friend. Yes, l stole the bag while her berth was being made up at night and passed it on to a good friend of mine in the next car. The haul divided $3,000 be- tween us, and for what you did for me I am going to present you w.th $500"
 I sat and stared at her with mouth wide open, wondering if I was awake or dreaming, and she took a pencil and card from her reticule and said:
 "Give me your home address ard