New-York tribune., 1905-07-23

There may be the history of criminal literature
something grander than this poor girl whose trans
gression had already borne such bitter fruit held
so nigh IN the estimation Of the people Of an
entire State as led them to be confident that she
would come back If she believed her duty pointed
that way, though she must step over the ruined
fragments of her reputation in order TO do So
This was a terrible situation. Human law-Ienent
even IN its severty-realzing that to subject human
nature 10 heavier strain than ought be called
upon to bear is but to put premium on perjury
enacted long ago, that in similar to this
wife need not be compelled to bear witness against
her husband yet here is a situation containing all
the elements Of which that law was the outcome
worse indeed in some respects, for the girl had to
strip herself OF every shred Of her fair fame and
hurl the fragments in the Inire. All this must be
completed If she is TO be available as a witness
This crowning shame must be accomplished with
the knowledge that the newspapers will scatter her
words over land and ocean, that millions OF men
and women will peruse them far as the wires
can carry the report. All this she might escape
with perfect safety to herself as regards criminal
law. How many whispers would It have been es-
sential TO have carried to the astute veteran who
had charge of the defence have induced him to
that she take long vacation and that the
further of it should be spent the better? How
much would II have required in the shape OF mes
sages that what she had 10 reveal, would point TO
other conclusion than guilt to have led Mr.. Burns
to conclude that another trial were useless
Of the funds OF the commonwealth and that the
punishment of the murderer must be left to the
tribunal from whose verdict there is no appeal?
The history Of the manner OF finding her and
curing her return is impressive object lesson OF
the fact that brains and thought are at premium
and are the best detectives. Where had Miss How
ard gone? How should she be discovered? That
the problem. The pastor of the church Of
which she was a member did not know; her most
intimate friends could reveal nothing; her relatives
knew nothing-were in their sisters conf
dence.
There lived in the quiet New Hampshire town
wherein these events occurred an aged minister
one Of the older type OF Untarians. like Dr. Dewey,
or Edward Everett Hale. Father L. he was called
Father Lincoln had lived IN the village for two
generations Nm place where there is not much
change except what is made by DEATH such long
evity, combined with such character, develops one
Of those relationships seldom seen outside of New
England. and not frequent now. even there. The
kind old patriarch becomes confessor in general 10
the community It makes difference as regards
his own church it may have died out; he is sun
the same and carries in his faithful old heart the
secrets Of the town.
To this aged man OF fourscore years turned the
inquiry touching the whereabouts OF the missing
witness but the old Father parted every question
fenced of al appeal until sotemuly assured that
advantage snouid Dc taken. that nothiCg
intended desired Beyond the opportunity OF tell
ing the fac.s 40 the woman herself and leaving her
TO determine hcr own course. We'll Mr. Burns =
cannot tel IGu EheTe she ~, Tor never YET have
broken my word. but II ! wanted find her |
should go Eeene; I should go down the main
street tail I 10 the sixth house the right
side / walked from the station: / should 20 uD
the stairs and knock at the door the head OF ae
staircase: do she Is there. but IL I wanted
~ ind ker that is what / should dc
Thus did this clear soued ChIistinn man keep the
sDIrit OF MS rrofnse while ds.egardinC the letter
together. each desiring nothing but what the con-
scencs Of the other would deem II right to DO, they