The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-05-05
A RASCAL FOILED.


day. when he was interrupted by the
entrance of tall, well dressed young
man. who said he wished to consult
him on a very important matter. 1t
was the holiday season, and the judge
was the last one left in the large Of
fee building, but he acceded to his
visitors request and courteously Of
fered him chair.
The stranger took a cigar from his
pocket and lighted it, glancing sharply
about the room meanwhile and spoke
In a brisk, business-like manner.
Judge Richards" he said, before
telling you my name and business l
wish to mention a few incidents in
kyour past life and also to touch on
tyour circumstances at present. l see
&you are surprised, but | wish you to
Hsee that know a good deal about your
sanairs; then my business with you will
3be more readily understood"
Tie judge nodded, wondering.
AT the age of 81" the stranger con-
tinued, you commenced practicing law
tin this city. A year later you disap-
speared out west and were gone two
years. Almost Immediately after you
ICame back you made a great hit with
"a brilliant speech, and business began
No come your way. You settled down,
worked hard, and your success was
greet. You have a big practice, are
ban ex-circuit judge, and IS months ago
81 10 ~,
#Cnly few hundred votes. Another
Election comes up within six months,
aand you are sure Of winning. Mining
tnyestments you made out in Colorado
have yielded enormous returns, and
kou are reported to be worth between
100000 and 100000. Your social po-
6ition is high, and-pardon me-in ten
days you are to be married to Miss
Holt, the only daughter of Senator
Holt, the most distinguished and aris-
tocratic man of this section of the
| country. | am right so far, l be-
lieve?"
YES" replied the lawyer, fright
enough, but l must say l fail to see
how my private history can affect any
legal business you may have with me-"
The stranger laughed easily.
Perhaps when you hear my bust
ness you may not call it strictly legal.
Fudge Richard" paused to relight
hiS cigar-"1 am a little hard up at
present, and so l came to you. l want
10000"
ooh, you do?" calculated the aston
ished Judge.
"EXactly-$10, 900. The day before
yesterday you deposited $4,000 in the
First National Bank. Most of it, l be-
lieye was to go for certain ornament
Fou are to give to a certain young lady,
put want $4,000 of it and must have
H. Blackmail you understand"
Well I'll be id" said the
| Judge family.
| yes" laughed his visitor. You
certainly will be, socially and political
~, if you do not provide for my neces-
bites"
Well, you certainly are cool one,"
elaculated the judge, slowly recovering
From his establishment, "but before
fun over this trifiing sum to you, per-
faps you will kindly enlighten me as to
the obligation l am paying off with
/ h."
u The judge had recovered enough to
Pc ironical, but hardly very angry as
yet.
Il That's only fair. Hear one part
pr my story that | omitted a moment
ego While out west you met a GER
pain May Robbins. Remember herr"
| The lawyer made no reply
Il Well, l had a talk with her some
4 fime ago, and she says that she is your
Fife. What do you think of that?"
Il Think of it? l think that it is an
i pnmitigated lie."
Il oh, indeed! Well, what do you
pink of this?" And he took from
his pocketbook a folded sheet of note
/ paper, and handed it to the Judge.
Il He read slowly:
My Darling May:--I got to the Point
ell safe in the night and leave for the
past early in the morning. 1 will
aend for you and the little one in
Few weeks. The sheriff managed to
Flng me, but it is nothing serious.
Your affectionate husband,
t# w. H. r.
L The judge looked keenly at his visit
a. "Well?"
[ Il This is your writing l believer"
The judge nodded.
And the initials of your name form
pc signature. Now what do you sup
pse would happen if l showed that
pte to Senator Holt?"
For reply the lawyer tore it into
pail bits and tossed them into the
Fe.
Oh, that's all right" said the other
eerfully. you surely don't sup.
Se was a big enough fool to give
the original, do you? That was
copy-tracing paper, you know.
wv Judge"-and he dropped his ban
ing tone-"come down to business.
don't want Senator Holt to see
u note. Give me $4,000, and in "a
urs the note shall be in your pos
SION, and will be out OF the way"
Fshaw, man." said the lawyer con-
pptuously, don't be a fool! Don't
suppose that note like that can
explained away? If your woman
AIs her name, May Robbins-has
documents. bring them out and !