Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-09-14
DAILY STORY
ESTABLISHING INNOCENCE.
(Original.l

q couple oil nunurtu years ago lLHiH
Lawrence Nevin. Larry was a bit
wild and was
Famed. like Mister ODonis. wild his head
full of nothing but curls,
For breaking the heads of the boys and
breaking the hearts of the girls.
But there was only one heart he
cared to influence, and that belonged
to 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 MOI
thought Il desirable sutton.
There We're stories - most of which
could be traced to rival, Terence
O'Toole-that Larry made his living Oh
the highway, n fashionable method
among gentlemen beggarS of that day.
O'Toole was the owner of fine es-
tate adjoining The O'Grady's property,
and he desired to unite the two by a
marriage with Kathleen. Unfortunate
ly for Larry, her father was in favor on
the project. There was only one thing
in the way of its contamination, ana
that was the reckless Nevin, whom the
girl loved, but who, passing from one
Scrape to another, was constantly
trampling on what few chances he had.
True, they consisted in the love of the
girl, but Il daughter of The O'Grady
must make Il proper match.
The truth is Larry was not so bad
as he was painted. y breakneck rider,
somewhat given to gaming, ever ready.
like all true IrlshHen, for a fight, there
was quite enough truth in his esca-
IN hr1iIl
erect fine structure of wickcdnesS.
The only article of value Larry pos
sessed was Il blooded mare-klt, he
called her-that he had won at Il rattle
and that no money could buy from
him. One evening shortly after dark
he was riding Kit on the highway and
suddenly remembered an engagement
He thrust his hand in his fob for his
watch and, not finding it, remembered
that it was in pawn for money that
he had needed to help poor beggar il,
distress. Just then horses hoofs
sounded on the road ahead, and in a
few minutes 4 mounted figure APP
peared.
Gould You oblige me with the time,
SIR asked Larry.
The horseman drew pistol from his
hoIstega and. letting drive ut Larry,
dashed past him. calling. bach: Il know
you, Lawrence Nevin. You may take
purses on the highway, but you can'r
take mine
Larry. who was untouched by the
bullet, sat on his horse looking after
Tie man in establishment
And 1 know you. Terence O'Toole,
| and if l don't keep me wits III be
hanged for highway robbery and no
thanks to any one but!you."
Now, O'TOUle was n magistrate and
would preside Mt the trial. at which he
would be the only witness. Larry took
in the situation and with Irish quick
ness for decision made up his mind to
try for an alibi. PuttinglSpurs to Kit.
he rode briSkIy on for q mile, took n
road to his left. struck into fields
| over which he had often followed the
fox and. lighted only blythe stars, kept
his mare ON the run till: midnight. when
he reached marlborough, ! which he
skirted, and. stopping at farmers
house beyond, rubbed down Kitkwhile
she was taking a small feed. fFrom
Marlborough Larry continued$ north
ward, now beginninglto push Itlreimare
breakfast at Tullamore. he shOtsacross
country to Kilbeggan, whereihe'found
4 road to Mullingar. Thence the coun-
try was 1evel-at least, not mountain
ous-aRd ne pushed his jaded mare on,
brea thing her every hour, and ut 4
O'clock in the afternoon rode up TO
Carrick on Shannon, having done q
hundred miles since starting. Leaving
his horse in a stable ON the south side
of the river-the animal sankidown at
once in her stall-he entered a wood,
threw off Il buff coat and breaches and
donncd a green velvet suit he.had pick
ed up on the way. This done, he cross
Ell the river on foot and, entered the
town.
The people wele all OUT on. the green,
and Larry, stepping up to the mayor,
asked him the time. The mayor, draw
ing his watch. gave theshour and COM
plmented Larry on his ibeaniful green
and gold LACE suit with silk,waistcoat.
Then Larry proceeded to make himself
popular with the company.
When q few days later Larry Nevin
returned to Kilkenny a bailiff. capped
n hand on his shoulder, and he was
taken before Magistrate O'Toole on a
charge of highway robbery. Hesplead-
ed not guilty, and on his trial the
mayor Of Carrick swore that twenty
hours after the robbery Larry had
been in that town. He could swear to
the hour, for, being asked the time, he
had looked at his watch. He had worn
a green velvet and gold suit, instead
of a buff one worn by the highway
man. O'Toole at the beginning of the
trial hads taken the switness stand. and
identified Larry as the man who had
asked for the time after nightfan on
the highway with iptent to rob, but
when Larry proved his alibi OToole
weakened< and owned that he might
have been mistaken. Larry was &C