The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1904-05-20
INGENIOUS JUSTICE
IOriginal.l

A girl of twenty arose, and the judge
asked:
Have you anything to say why
sentence should not be passed upon
you"
"Only that am innocent
Then Judge Lester proceeded to
sentence her for two years TO the state
prison for receiving stolen goods. the
articles being few old pieces of silver
of no very great value. The girl had
never offended before, and witnesses
testified to her good character, but she
could not or would not explain how the
silver came into her possession. There
was nothing for her but conviction and
nothing for the judge but to pass
sentence. AS she stood before him
there was the serene look of martyr
on her face, and the judge said mental
ly, THE assurance of criminals and
the appearances they can assume are
marvellous"
The girl was led away, and the
judge left his Office. Lighting cigar.
he strolled home. On tie way he
stopped at Sandiver's, his jeweler, to
get his watch, that had been left for
repairs, and while looking over. the
wares remembered that the anniyer-
sary of his marriage would come off in
about a week. He had decided on a
brooch for a present on the occasion.
| and went over to where these articles
were displayed. While looking over
them young man at his side divided
with him the attention of the sales
man. The judge left the store without
| making a selection.
The next evening while sitting in his
library before dinner there was a ring
at the doorbell, and note came in
from Sandiver announcing that the
day before he had got in a new let of
brooches and begging that the judge
would examine some that he had sent
| by the bearer.
The Judge read the note several
| times. Surely Sandiver was anxious
to sell his goods; he had never sent
samples to his house before. Compe-
tition seemed to be driving the drum
mers of reputable firms into peoples
homes. However. he had little time
| before dinner and would look at the
brooches. The salesman was brought
| in and produced articles that the judge
had seen in Sandiver's cases the day
before, besides new ones. One of
those he had seen and fancied was Of
fered ut a third of the value put on it
when he had first seen it.
you are mistaken in the price Of
this said the judge. ut is worth
more money"
Perhaps I am" replied the sales
man, but il is a rule of our house
never to so back on q price once Civ
en-
The judge took the brooch and held
it under the gaslight. There were
jewels in it that sparkled beautifully.
II will take this one" he said, but,
mind. if you are mistaken in the price
and will notify me within few days
we will call the sale Off"
The price is correct" said the sales
man-"that is, to you-and the sale
will stand SO far as we are concerned. -
The brooch was left and the sales
| man departed
| A few days later, during recess OF
the court, an inspector of police step
ped up to the Judge and asked him IL
a man purporting to be from San
divers had called on him with some
jewelry to sell.
Yes" replied the judge, land 1
bought a brooch
Then, your honor" replied the in
spector, smiling, you are q receiver OF
stolen goods. The man was an i'm
postor.''
"Impossible! He presented a note
written on Sandiver's letter head and
brought jewels that had seen in San
divers cases.
please speak lower, judge" said the
inspector. This is a very embarrass-
ing case The man has done the pO-
lice department, Sandiver and you.
He came to me and offered to work
for nothing till he had proved his skill.
l didn't employ him, but he stayed
about headquarters long enough to
steal some of our letter heads. On one
of these he forged 4 letter introducing
him to Sandiver, stating that he was
on the track of some of their stolen
goods and if they would mark some
brooches and permit him to take them
ont for sale he was quite sure he could
recover Il large amount Of their prop
erty- The singular part of it is that
he returned all the articles except the
one sold you"
Captain said the judge. you are
right in not letting the world know of
this trick. Come to my house after
O'Clock. and we will talk it over
When the inspector called he carried
with him letter he had received.
which he handed to the judge to read:
Captain-Judge Lester recently sem
fenced a girl. Mary Easton. to whom 1 am
engaged to be married, to state prison for
! receiving stolen goods. 1 determined to
show the judge that he could readily be
| induced to commit the same crime, If it
be crime. On the day he sentenced
Mary Easton followed him to Sandiver's.
saw him examine brooches and then laid
my scheme. The honest intent of my act
is established by the fact that l imme-
diately returned through a confederate all
the jewels except the one sold to Judge
Lester. and the money for that is at your
| service Yours truly.
CHESTER HASKELL,