Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28

James Alexandra sat in. fe!on'S. cell
of the penitentiary. convicted OF forgery
and sentenced to eight years confinement
Six months had passed since the day the
jury pronounced him guilty. To the con
demned man, innocent but utterly una bic
to disprove the charges against him. they
had been six months of misery. When
first arrested. AlexsAder had hoped the
day would soon dawn when the real VII
liam would be discovered and liberty would
come to the guitless one: but a S he
! months dragged their weary length with
out any charge~in the course OF events,
he grew Respondent. There was one ce!e-
Grated detective who professed to believe
in his innocence. and worked to establish
1t. Several vague clues he had followed
up to the day OF the trial. but he then
declared the evidence against AleXa nder
was too great for him to overthrow 1t
with his indefinite. theories. When the
prisoner learned OF this renowned thief
catcher's decision, it was indeed. Z
crushing blow to MIN. Amid the enerv1t-
ing scenes of the trial and the horror OF
his late confinement the suspected forg-
er found but one soace-the love and
fidelity of his devoted wife. When he
, was arrested she scoffed at the idea OF
her husbands guilt and even when tie
jury condemned him. she did not WAIVER
in her conviction Of his innocence. The
world at large might turn from him
as a criminal. but she, never. She knew
his honesty and worth as none other did.
While former friends Stunned him. she
visited the lonely man in his cell as
often as possible.
This is an eptome of what had occur
red before the unfortunate mans incar
ceratiOn.
When the guard announced the arrival
Of AIexa ndeT's wife to the prisoner. the
convict's heart was too heavy within him
10 return her almost happy greetings.
James," said the wife. as soon as the
guard had left. and the door was locked
again. Il believe there are yet hopes. and
for my sake l want you to brighten tip
1t is true the detective has stopped work
but there is another on the trail. and that
one has already picked up some clues thai
are encourage
another detective? Encouraging news?
cried the prisoner. with rins of hope if
his voice. WHO is he? What has he
done?"
II cannot tell you 1 came to bring you
this informa ton and to gladden. your
life here. but cannot tell you more now.
There are. however, two questions this
detective wishes me TO ask. You said yor
thought you knew who the real crimina
Is; tel! me. is 1t your fellow clerk. Philip
Rholstan?"
Yes"
Il thought So" replied the wife. a
smile lighting her face for moment.
why did you ask?
Il cannot tell you now. for even prison
walls may have ears. Another question
| want you to answer. Do you think thai
tall man with the black beard who ap
peared against you at the trial. was his
| accomplce?"
Yes. l do"
u thought So again. cried the lady
Tell me. Mary. who this detective is. =
queried the prisoner. land where you got
the money 10 hire him?''
Mrs. Alexa nder pointed to the corridor
! where the guard paced in front of the
cell door Il must say no more" she
whispered. for ! am the detective. am
God willing. shall yet see you free" She
spoke the last words so low that ever
her husband did not hear Ter.
Times up" cried the i. per. unlocking
the door. Husband and wife were agar
separated: she to enter upon an under