The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-16
AN ALIBI
loriginaL.J

!, No football could be heard on the sno,
and there was no one abroad.
] had reached the town OF NJ. a fe
minutes before by train and, findlf
no conveyance at the station, ha
/. started TO walk TO my hotel.
Suddenly, midway between stre'
lamps, where II was dark. ran agaIni
man. stood stock still. The snor
on either side Of us was deep, and
waited for the man TO divide the wa
with me. Instead Of that be began I
talk to himself incoherentiy, seemln
to be unconscious Of my presence.
Horrible" he muttcred, horrible
Death-death that might be prevents
by little loose change he may hav
had In his pocket, and he wouldn't Civ
IT. He's a dog, murderer hope
may see him burn with an eyerlastin,
fire."
. You seem in trouble" said In I
kindly tone.
Trouble! Isn't II trouble that there's
but one person in the world who car
help and who won't helpi told hin
mother was dying; that had been sent
to the drug store for a prescription and
hadn't cent to pay. He told me to
get out"
remembered that all my change had
been spent, and had only a ten dollar
bill. ! would 20 with the young man
to drug store, pay for the medicine he
required and give him something be-
sides.
Come" said, lead the way to q
drug store"
Il only fear they are all closed" he
said. TITS very late"
He led me to one drug store after an
other We found every one closed and
no one to answer night bell. | had
been with him nearly an hour. This /
knew, for had arrived at ten minutes
after IL and the town clock was now
striking II, and. having made a failure,
| was Obliged to let him go home with
out his medicine. As we were about to
part was fumblIng in my trousers
pocket with my keys and other articles,
when | clasped silver half dollar.
Here" | said. take this coin. It's a
pocket piece Of the year OF my mar
riage, with my wife's and my initials
scratched on 1t. Take It. You'll need It,
and more"
lie seized the piece eagerly, then turn.
cd and vanished In the darkness.
II was three months after this that
had occasion to go TO NJ again. | am
a lawyer by profession and had case
to come of in court there Having
some time to spare at the courthouse
before my case would be called, stroll |
cd into the criminal court room.
man was being tried for the mur.
der Of his uncle. II seemed to be very
plain case against the accused. He was
very poor and his uncle was very rich,
and the accused was sole heir at law.
The prosecuting attorney proved con
that the young man bad every
nducemcnt TO Kill his uncle from the
act that the old man was making ar.
1ngements TO leave all his property to
'ndow certain institutions. II did not
'ppcar to me that the defense had any
Rse at all. Indeed. the last person
,nown 30 have been with the murdered
nan, and that only an hour before his
eath, was the accused.
There were 50 many heads between
nc and the prisoner that | did not for
ONE time get n good look ut him.
When did, there was something about
lis face and figure that was familiar
0 me. The prosecuting attorney was
up to the jury.
I'VE have proved" he said, that the
rlsoner was with the murdered man
s late as ii o'clock; how much later ,
70 cannot prove, but no one saw him
ave. At half past IL a cry was i
card; maid entered the old mans |
edroom and found him dying. There /
us convenient door for the murder |
IS escape without being seen. At /
llf past II the prisoner was arrested i
the street muttering maledictions =
yalnst his uncle" {
The last words brought back a pic !
ire that had appeared to me on that Is
ormy night three months before.
aited till the speaker had finished, a
EN- said to the judge: /
Your honor am an attorney. l q
lieve l can throw some light on this L
Sc and request your permission to a
anime the prisoner" o.
After much wrangling permission o.
Is granted
Have you ever ucen me beforeY al
ked. "a
Not that remember" OF
Did l not meet you one night three Ii
'nths ago when you were going for OF
dicine for your mother2" N
1 met a man. II could find him al
'ould prove my innocence" oc
What did you do with the coin he cd
re your" 81
! gave it to my mother. 1t is now Isl
the hands of my attorney" II
On that coin,", l said, turning to 70
Jury, "are my initials and those of an