The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-06-01

J
him. WE'LL he would fool Paskcr. Per
haps, if the case was not pressed, he might
get off with fine So, when he was called
upon 10 plead, his plea was guilty"
| Mr.. and Mrs. Pasker sighed their relief.
They had gained their point, and there
would be no scandal With this feeling
of relief, however, there came TO Pasker
feeling of admiration for the young man.
aud of regret that it was necessary to do
! this thing. Still, he reasoned one must
| protect ones daughter from her own fool
ishness, and the young man had only him
self to blame for his predicameut
MAY we 90 now? he asked anxiously
Hardly. returned the magistrate.
II wish to know something of the details
before deciding what action to take -
1--WE are not vindictive," Pasker hast
ened to explain. "a short term in jail
will be entirely satisfactory to us "
But it may not be satisfactory to the
state, said the magistrate This may
be grand jury case
''Oh, but We don want grand jury
{ case CAltstutateG asker.
( 1T makes no difference what you want, =
asserted the magistrate severely. People
/ Ike YOU, who want to escape the aunoy-
auee Of trials, are largely responsible for
crime in this city, You want the laws en-
/ forced but You don want their enforce
meut TO Inconvenience you, you don want
the trouble Of prosecuting, except when it's
necessary for the recovery of property l
venture to say you wouldn't be here now,
if You could get your property without APP
pearins.
We We already rot it. said Paskeri
whercupon his wife logged his elbow and
/ tuvnci at him.
"Oh. that : IL exclaimed the magis
trlic disgustelly "You' We lost nothing,
sui 80 YOU are willing to let the offender
g, Well ,ir, it 5 time for you to under
stand that the law Is for the protection Of
the whole community and not for the per-
s1nal use of an individual The state has
this case new, and the state has a deeper
interest in i, than to see that you lose moth
Ing, The state will resent any attempt at
Juggling with the law for any purpose
whatsoever
Pasker was deeply troubled lie had
always looked upon a police court with
compliment contempt. but court aud case
were certainly running away with him He
/ rauld see where he NIGH, get into trouble,
IT the prisoner chose 10 speak out, and the
prisoners : face showed a dawuiug hope
Therr wa. however. but one thing TO do.
II anus; know all the circumstances, -
added the magistrate. Now, exactly
what did this mau steal =?
"A diamond ring. said Pasker.
His viie jozgled hi- elbow again. 1t
had suddenly flashed upon her that this
particular rinc had been given by Bennett
to Madeline IS an engagement ring, and
Was, IN fAct, the thing that had stirred up
all the trouble Il was the very last item
that ought 90 hEsre in this case
No, no. she intcrposcd mot the
rins Thea 10 the magistrate Never
uuiad the ring. Judge. lie took gold
watch and chain.
"Aad two other rings, added the rat
tied Pasker. who felt that it would be 4
mistake to abandon the ring idea entirely.
The magistrate frowned
Rather a complicated case, he con-
neuted You don't seem to be able to
agree on whaI was stolen Was there any
thing else =
The two he.itaicj. bat finally, upoom-
fortable ander the magistrate gaze. Pasker
spoke
A gold loekei. wak a miniature photo
graph inside
No. noi the photograph, interrupted
Ms rasker. suddenly remembering that
il vas a Photograph of Bennett.
lie took 1t with the locket, didn
he ? demanded Pasker
II pryzg,nc -, but
.Oh, never mind the photograph, the
magistrate broke in. That an incon-
siderable item. Did he confne himself to
jcwclry or was he more prumiscuous in his
attentions
oh be wasn't promiscuous in his At
teations at all, answered Mrs. Pasker.
I'VE aeyer had any faux 90 aRd that way.
.faalt 10 fud! repeated the perplexed
magistrate Il don't think YOU under
stand my question Did he take anything
besides the jewelry mentioned
Again the two hesitated. 1t seemed to
| them that this was enough, aad there was
no telling into what embarraSsments fur
ther investigation might lead them.
Nothing Of any Importance, Mns.
Pa,ker finally answered.
Never mind the Importance, said the
magistrate severely. I'm be judge OF
| that
..He took hat, admitted Mrs. Pasker
resignedly.
"A thirty dollar hat, sighed Pasker,
rs he thought Of the bill.
A what exclaimed the magistrate
ga thirty dollar hat, explained the
startled Pasker. "A lady's hat, You
know.
"Oh, that 5 an item Of no Importance!
remarked the magistrate sarcastieally.
II didn' say 50, Judge pleaded Pas
ker. 1T was Mrs Pasker and she didn t
have to pay the bill.
1t is evident that you are trying to con
ceal something from the court, said the
magistrate sternly. II must insist upon
having the whole naked truth. Now, state
in detail exactly what was taken, and how
no equiyocations, no subterfuges, no omis-
! sious.
IL can't, Judge, faltered Pasker.
Haven't completed an inventory of the
items, suppose.
Yes, that it. Pasker fairly jumped
at this opening.
We'll, do the best you can, - insisted
the magistrate.
There was a gown, and-aud a jacket,
and shoes
"A strange assortment of pluuder, said
the magistrate, as Pasker paused. ''The
man who takes jewelry usually doeSn
bother with old clothes. - Then to the
| prisoner, ''What in the world did you want
with lady's hat and a gown?
Nothing at all, Judge, answered Ben
nett. II didn't care about them one way
or another.
''But you took them ?
''Well, they went along with me.