Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-02-21

Stung by his implied doubt of me.
aud knowing my absolute innocence
and how l had given my best efforts
in the discharge of my duties, l had
Strengthened up proudly.
My grandfather before he died bad
written on the hy-leaf of primer of
mine: BE strong In adversely; that
stamps the mani" | did not realize the
full meaning of the words then. But
they came to me now in full force.
Il am sorry I gave way SO. 1t was
foolish fear. l am innocent of any
| wrong. and I am confident that my in
| nocence will be proved some time Un-
| til it is. will try to bear the suspicion
as patiently as possible" said. calmly.
Here some members of the examining
committee came hurriedly in. What is
this | hear?'' "How did it happen?''
Whom do you suspect?" These were
some of the EXPLANATIONS that reached
my ear as they crowded around the
president.
One by one the trustees came in. One
of the last to arrive was Mr.. Morley,
but he passed on to the committee room
without noticing me.
what she would think of it all. After
my happiness of the evening before, to
be crushed under such a blow of fate
was most cruel. But resolved not to be
crushed. There came to me a kind of
exhilaration of spirit in making this
resolve, and when, after awhile, was
summoned before the trustees, it nerved
me for the ordeal through which
knew 1 must pass.
After telling all knew, which did
in as concise a manner as possible, a
deluge of questions was hurled at me,
nearly every one of the IS or 20 mem
bers Of the board taking hand in the
cross-examination.
you say you were out of town last
night and did not return until few
| minutes before ten this morning?"
| asked one of the vice presidents.
Eyes, sir" answered.
"You have not stated where you
were, and how you spent the time"
the man continued. Perhaps the re-
| naming trustees share with me a nat
ural curiosity to know this?"
hesitated in giving answer, noticing
! which my questioner glanced around
triumphantly. as though he had scored
a point against me.
"You do not answer" he finally said.
''Of course you need not If your answer
will criminate yourself"
ut is not the fear OF eliminating my
self that causes me to hesitate in my
answer" replied, casting an appealing
glance in the direction of Mr.. Morley.
That gentleman turned his eyes to-
| ward me, and thought there was rather
| a pleased expression about them. He
| smiled gravely and bowed his head.
"I spent the evening at Mr.. Morley's
place in Fairlawn," quietly said, in
terpreting that gentleman's inclination
of his head as permission to tell.
My answer created some surprise, and
all eyes were turned upon Mr.. Morley
Such were that gentIeman's position
and standing that the mere fact that
had visited at his house produced a
change in the manner of questioning
me. The questions were couched in
| more respectful terms.
"And where did you go from Mr.. Nor
ley's place." the examiner went on.
''To the Fairlawn hotel" replied.
"You did not Immediately return to
the city?"
mo, sir. for the reason that I conid
| not. There was no train until the
morning"
and you were on that train?"
"I was on that train, and arrived in
town at quarter before ten," calmly
replied.
you may be compelled to prove
that" continued the vice president, sig
| nificantly.
Every well, sir; can do so whenever
it is necessary"
Here Mr.. Morley. who had been only
listener until now, spoke in his grave,
dignified manner. and the deferential
| way the trustees hearkeDed to his
words was an indication of the high
regard in which he was held.
I'VE are wasting time" he said.
This method of procedure Is futile.
I will say that Mr.. Conway was a guest
ut my house last evening. How he spent
the time after he left my place 1 cannot
| say. But he was on the train this
morning, as he said. for 1 usually take
the same train in coming to town. and
saw him"
Mr.. Morley only stated the cold fact,
but nevertheless that he should speak
at all in my defense seemed to me a
good omen.
was soon asked to retire. AS went
| out into the presidents room, three
| or four fellows went in. knew they
| were detectives.
There Is no need to tell of the exam
nations was compelled to submit to
by these same detectives. and how they
tried all their art, wheedling, threat
ening, bullying, to get me to confess to
crime I knew nothing of. For all
their trouble they got nothing from me
but the truth.
When the trustees meeting broke up,
| the president came out to me.
NELSON, if you are guilty, and wish to
escape the consequences, now is the time
to flee the country. The trustees have
| decided not to have you arrested just
yet" he said, with smile.