The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-04
BLIND JUSTICE


been found murdered the night before
on a road leading into the town. No
one knew her, and the body had been
held as long as seemed best for iden.
LITIGATION. The only person TO whom
the slightest suspicion attached was
man who had been seen walking on
the road near where the body had been
found The police OF the neighboring
towns had been notified. and the man
had been arrested and Identified by the
person who had. seen him. The prisoner
was undergoing his examination.
did You ever see the deceased be
tore?" asked the coroner.
Never"
"What were you doing. on the road?'
Il am commercial traveller and Of
ten walk from one town to another in
stead Of waiting for train 1t was so
IN this case"
did you see anything of this girl on
the roadr'
4 have told you that l never saw
her before
The coroner conferred with n police
official. then turned again to the pris-
oner.
'sTBere is no evidence against you.
and | suppose you are entitled to a
discharge. but you win have to re-
main In the care Of the police for a
short time"
At that moment several persons en-
tered. leading blind man.
'sThls man. your honor" said one Of
them, has come to town looking for
bis daughter. who, be says, has been
recently led away from her home. We
have told him of this dead girl, and
be desires to know II 1t Is she be is
seeking"
The moment the old man appeared
the prisoner started. Then he looked
about him to see IL his agitation had
been noticed and. feeling assured that
ull eyes were and had been on the
blind man, resumed the careless air
thathe had shown during his examina-
! ton. The blind man, who was old and
on whose face were the lines OF suffer-
ing. was led up and stood trembling
before the coroner. After some pre-
llminary questions he was asked to tell
his story.
"My little girl" he said. as a good
girl. She is all have to love and
the only person in the world who loves
me. She cannot be dead. She is not
dead. She must not be dead. She
worked In factory, and when she
went to work in the morning she gave
me loving kiss. All the long day /
waited for her to come home, and then
there was another loving kiss, and,
though tired, she talked brightly to
me. cheering me like the flame OF a
fire on the hearth to you who can see.
She never went gaddIng about in the
evening. but stayed at home with me,
though I encouraged her to bring her
young companions to our home.
But OF late she had seemed troubled.
She could not cheer me as she had
been used to doing, or. IL she did, /
knew II was with an effort. And
noticed that the more troubled she
was the more affection she showed me.
Two weeks ago she embraced ME more
tenderly than ever before, hanging
about my neck as though she would
never let 60"
From that day / have not seen her.
My nelghbors have toll me that she
had been seen several times with
man, but could get no description OF
him. l feel sure the man they saw her
with has been the cause Of her leaving
me. have visited number OF towns
IN hopes Of finding her. without sue
cess. These people have told me that
you have a dead girl in here who is
not known. but l do not think 1t can
be my girl. Still, / win satisfy myself
that she Is not"
How can you do that7'' asked the
coroner. You can't see.n
Il can tell my Maggie" said the wit
ness
Your honor" said the prisoner.
shen checked himself.
'well, what is it," asked the cor
oner
Nothing; only that an Identification
BY blind man Is a travesty on jus
dee"
How does that concern your" asked
The coroner. looking at the prisoner
with new interest.
"only generally" replied the prison
sr, endeavoring to resume his care
ess manner.
by what means" said the coroner
% the witness. '.can you know your
laughter
Let me put my hands on her face,
and ! win know her at once"
An ashiness spread itself over the
features OF the prisoner.
lead him to the body" said the
coroner. and place his hands on IT."
TIE old mans hand was placed on
he waist. He started. He ran his I'm
gers up the body till he came to the
aeck, when he uttered moan. Quick
Y he passed his hand over the face
from chin to forehead and staggered
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