The National tribune., 1899-09-28
CHPTER VI.
MR.. WRIGHT TELLS. HIS sToR,

MR.. WRIGHT TELLS HIS STORY.
One of the hardest facts that can oYertake
a man is to be the victim OF circumstances
for which ne is in no way responsible. l
am one of those men. 1t is true that have
not lived Il life OF transcendant virtue but
in the matter of the Crawford robbery and
murder 1 was so far removed from any
interest except those of family ties that ray
tronble5 because Of that awful affair :,rr
purely the fruit of circumstances over
which lad 10 control.
And yet when come to think it all oyc.
/ see how Icarly | Was TO being hanged,
and that nothing except the efforts of that
Miss BIrnsworth saved me from goiI & to
the gallowS an i'll occnt man. She is q
bright woman, ard, though do not like her
profession, had il Tot Lccn for Ter would
be Il dead man and tie mystery OF the Craw
ford crimes had been accepted as solved by
the sacrifice of Il victim-lnyself.
When 1 took my wife abroad we didn't
haze much ,rol-cy', ard sat down TO make
living at cards and the gaming table.
There is no more certain way of getting
money than by gambling, if you gamble as
businessmen as speculative enter
prise; but was not on that side of the lire.
] was in some clubs in Paris where they
play for very high stakes and won largely,
but 70 win much you must also lose FIRE Iuen:-
ly, and there are cool heads held III those
places, and the snartest, coolest ard most
DARN G player will meet there his master
sool.er or later. Re only has TO await his
coming. and his patience will iot te taxed.
Well, it was all shown OF my trial what
sort of a life had led; the prosecution wish
ing TO present that was fitted by expert
ence i'll all kind of minor evils 10 pass on
with pro.nptness if not alacrity to greater
crimes.
When our affairs were at the last line,
Margaret Frazer, a Scotch girl of education,
but with "a mania for gambling, and who
hal at last been e5silei from the Casino at
Monte Carlo. joined my family as maid.
She had a system, and believed in it, but
tried it in vain. Then she proposed that
We go to America and start there quietly,
bu: III the best available circles, n gambling
house, whose profits we should bring later
to Monte Carlo and wreck the bank.
1t shows how deeply infatuated and
blinded was with gaming when | say
/ was ready and willing to do this, and we
came TO New York for that purpose. II
was at this time my father-in-law, Mr..
Crawford, came 10 see lis. / told him in
the presence of my wife and Margaret
Frazer. the girl Known as the French
maid" in this history. what 1 intended to do.
His honor was unboundcd, and he begged
and pleaded with ne not TO do this thing
"If secure yoa honorable and remuncra-
tive employment" he urged, will you
forego this last disgrace to yourself and me,
this shame to your wife and my daughter
AT that moment the depth of my condi-
ton was shown 10 me, and ] answered,
earnestly and repcntantly, Yes"
MIR. WRIGHT SECURES AN APPOINT
MEST.
1t 50 happened that staying in the hotel
was an eminent Government official who
had in his gift certain Offices OF the Govern.
ment abroad. He was the Godfather of nv
wife and the intimate friend of her father
from his youth. The matter was soon
arranged was TO go to the East as a re-
ceiying agent for stores for the military
operations in the Philippines and to start al
once. Then occurred the conversation
with Mr.. Crawford which was overheard
by Margaret Frazer.
] remember the old gentleman's words
and manner as he drew me into the window
alcove: Arthur. my boy, we sink or swim in
this boat together. | must go with you
We will never come back to this country.