The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-01-23
OF
JUSTICE
ev EDWARD DoR9oN.

| agreed 20 join me In a hunt for evil
| dcnce against them. SO, taking a
| seat by his side. the horses head was
turned toward the village.
"The first place we visited was
resort We knew the men frequented.
We were well known 10 the proprietor.
My friend remarked In casual way
that the two men, mentioning them
by name. appeared to he having
great time lately. The fellow replied
aflirmatively, and volunteered the in
formation that they had dropped in on
him last night and carried on some
what. After an exchange Of pleasant
rles. which would leave no other i'm
preston than that we had only an
ordinary interest In the actions OF the
men who had become our quarry, we
left the place and proceeded to another
resort some distance off, which we
knew To be. more or less. their head
quarters. Entering, the usual friendly
greetings were exchanged with the
proprietor and the others there. Abid
Ing the opportunity, ! got mine host,
with whom | was well acquainted.
aside, and | laughingly remarked that
that was n great game, to mention
names. Wilson and Clark, had played
last night. He started quickly. then
smiled and significantly said, so you
were in 1t, too. ch?' | replied. Yes
but | did not inform him just how |
was In 1t. | then said that the stolen
cane was n highly priced Keepsake
from the victims father, and gave my
hcarer the impression that would
like To return II to the owner. who |
had found, was Il farm hand. Say
| said in Il confidential tone what
did Clark do with the poor fellows
hat and cane?' The man hesitatcd
moment, then he replied. Clark broke
the stick I'm pieces and burned IL with
the hat In that stove yonder. | saw
him do 1t just before he and Wilson
left here last night Cautioning the
man TO secrecy, my friend and soon
started for home. and on the way
thither we decided on II plan OF ac.
ton.
"We told Chris the result of our
sleuthing trip, and persuaded him TO
accompany us to the Squire and swear
out a warrant charging Wilson and
Clark with highway robbery and with
assault with intent to Kill, hoping that.
by making the charge as strong as
possible. we would secure the punish
ment OF the accused men. We did not
forget that their friends were all-pow-
crful 'rOundabouts. They were ar
rested on the following day, and at
hearing the Squire set date when
the trial was 10 be held. In the mean
time we made out perfect case
against the men. and were confident
that we could convict them. Alas, our
faith in human nature and justice was
to be rudely shaken!
AT last the day of the trial Ny
man was sure that he could identify
the person who assaulted him. My
trlCnd and l were interested in the
case only to get justice for Chris.
whose confidence in us was almost
| Child-likc. We made the mistake Of
! not hiring n lawyer 10 look after the
| interests of Chris. The accused were
| represented by wcll-known local law.
yers, their friends packed the court
room, and even the Squire was n
close friend of the prisoners families.
Before the case was called. and while
! the accused men were within our sight.
| got my man. unobscrvcd by any one.
| to Identify the man who dealt him
! the injuries. He made perfect idcn.
| tiication. and my belief that the prls-
! oners would be convicted was strength
encd. The case was called. the pre-
! liminaries were gone through. and
! then Chris was requested TO identify
! the man who assaulted him. | watched
| him nervously. rs | saw that the man
| he wanted had seated himself in a
chair and had buried his head behind
! IA paNer. In fact. he was the least
| conspicuous person in the room. Chris
| glanced around and look OF disap-
pointmCnt overcome his features. Again
he surveyed all present, and To my in
tense astonishmcnt pointed to man who
| somewhat resembled the accused. and
said. There he isr Clark then dropped
the paper from his face. Chris threw
his hands up eXcitedly and exclaimed.
. My Got. | haf made mistake! Ii Is
her
Then the Squire took a hand In
the proceedings. That won't do, Inc
said to Chris. You have upon your
oath identified this man pointing 10
the innocent stranger as your assail
ant. Now we shall see whether you
have made a true Identification Al
this point my friend and myself, rs
being witnesses in the case. were or
dered from the courtroom. Not know
ing the law then. and thinking that O
trap had been set for my man. W,
refused to go. whereupon the 'Squir,
gave orders to the constable that II W,
remained In the room during the hear