The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1906-12-14
Establishing Innocence
IorIgInaIl

There was no more popular young
tellow in County Kilkenny, Ireland
couple OF hundred years ago thin
Lawrence Nevin. Larry was a b!i
Wild and was
Famed. like Mister o'Donsa. wild his head
fun OF nothing but eurls.
For breaking the heads Of the bows ana
breaking the hearts OF the giria.
But there was only one heart he
cared to influence, and that belong a
% Kathleen o'Grady, the youngest
daughter Of The o'Grady, who lived
IN the big castle shaped house on the
hill. Though Larry came Of one OF the
Oldest families In Ireland, he was no.
thought desirable sutton.
There were stories most OF which
could be traced to a rival, Terence
o'Tooie-that Larry made his living O.
the highway, a fashionable meth
among gentlemen beggars of that day
OToole was the owner OF a fine e.
ute adjoining The O'Grady's property
and he desired to unite the two by n
marriage with Kathleen. Unfortunate
" for Larry, her father was In favor q
ne project There was only one thine
u the way Of its contamination. and
mat was the reckless Nevin, whom the
girl loved, but who, passing from one
scrape 10 another, was constantly
@ampling on what few chances he had
True. they consisted in the love OF the
girl, but daughter OF The O'Grady
must make a proper match.
The truth Is Larry was not so bad
az he was painted. A breaKneck rider
somewhat given 70 gaming. ever ready,
IKE all true Irlshmen, for a fight, there
was quite enough truth In his esca.
pades for an enemy to build on and
erect a fine structure OF wlckedness.
The only article OF value Larry pos
sessed was a blooded mare-Kit, he
called her-that he had won at a raffle
and that no money could buy from
MIN. One evening shortly after dark
10 was riding Kit on the highway and
suddenly remembered an engagement
He thrust his hand In his fob for hi,
watch and. not finding It. remembered
mat Il was In pawn for money that
he had needed 70 help poor beggar IN
distress. JuAt then a horses hoofs
sounded on the road ahead, and in
tsw minutes a mounted figure ap
paared.
"Could you oblige me with the time
strr' asked Larry.
The horsemRn drew a pistol from hls
holster and. letting drive at Larry
dashed past him. calling back: ~ kuoy.
you, Lawrence Nevin. You may take
purses on the highway. but you can't
take mine"
Larry, who was untouched by the
bullet, sat on his horse looking after
the man In establishment.
And l know you, Terence O'Too,e
and II don't keep me wits I'll be
hanged for highway robbery and nc
thanks to any one but YOU"
Now, o'Toole was a magistrate and
would preside at the trial at which he
would be the only witness. Larry TOOK
IN the situation and with Irish auicS.
mess for decision made up his mind to
try for an alihL Putting spurs to Kit,
he rode briskly on for a mile, took a
road to his ieft. struck Into fields
over which he had often followed the
fox and, lighted only by the stars, kent
his mare on the run till midnight, when
be reached MaFyboruugh, which he
ukirted, and. stopping at q farmers
house beyond. rubbed down kit while
she wns taking q small feed. From
Maryboronah Larry continued north.
ward, now beginning 70 push the mar i
TOR better pace. Taxing ah early 1
breakfast Of Tullamore. he shot acroas
country to Kilbsggan. where be found 4
q road 70 Mullingar, Thence the coun. |
try was levei-at least. not mountain
ons-and he pushed hls faded mare on.
breathing her every h0ut and At I
O'Clock In the afternoon rode up [. n
Carrick on Shannon. having done !,
hundred miles since starting. Leavln.
hla horse In a stable on the south side
of the rlver-the animal sank down al n
once In her Sslll-he entered a wool II
throw on bun coat and breeches an II
donued a green velvet suit be had pick. II
ed % On the way This done, he cross
ed he river On foot and entered Tie
town.
The people were all out ON the gree II
and Larry. stepping up to the mag
asked him the time. The mayor. draw
ing hls watch. gave tho hour and com
pllmented Larry on his beautiful green
and gold lace suit with silk walstcoat.
Then Larry proceeded TO make himself
popular with the company.
When a few days later Larry Nevin n
returned TO Kilkenny baliff eiappe
9 hand on his shoulder. and he was
taken before Magistrate O'Toole on
charge OF highway robbery, He plead
ed not guilty. and on his trial IA,
mayor OF Carrick swore that twenty
hours after the robbery Larry hst
been In that town. He could swear 70
the hour, for, being asked the time. he
had looked at his watch. lie had worn
. green velvet and gold suit. instead
az bun one worn by the highway.
man. 0'roole az the beginning OF the