The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-04-17
a5 E=i.= .s.:--==s=:=====
Establishing Innocenco
[Orig'inal.l

wild and was
Famed, like Mister O'Donis, 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 not
thought desirable suitor.
There were stories - most of which
could be traced to rival, Terence
O'Toole-that Larry made his living on
the highway, fashionable method
among gentlemen beggars Of that day.
O'Toole was the owner of a 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 of
the project. There was only one thing
In the way Of It's consummation, and
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 a daughter Of The O'Grady
must make a proper match.
The truth is Larry was not so bad
as he was painted. A breakneck rider,
somewhat given to gaming, ever ready.
like all true Irishmen, for a fight, there
was quite enough truth in his esca-
pades for an enemy to build on and
erect fine structure Of wickedness.
The only article Of value Larry pos
sessed was a blooded mare-Kit he
called her-that he had won at a 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 in
distress. Just then horses hoofs
sounded on the road ahead, and in a
few minutes mounted figure ap-
peared.
'Could you oblige me with the time,
sir?" asked Larry
The horseman drew pistol from his
holster and, letting drive at Larry,
dashed past him, calling back: 81 know
you, Lawrence Nevin. You may take
purses on the highway, but you can't
take NINE"
Larry, who was untouched by the
bullet, sat on his horse looking after
the man in establishment.
"And know you, Terence O'Toole
and if I don't keep me wits I'll be
hanged for highway robbery and no
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 quick
ness for decision made up his mind to
try for an aEbi. Putting spurs to Kit,
he rode briskly on for mile, took a
road to his left. struck into fields
over which he had often followed the
fox and, lighted only by the stars, kept
his mare on the run till midnight, when
he reached marlborough, which he
skirted, and, stopping at farmers
house beyond, rubbed down Kit while
she was taking a small feed. From
Marlborough Larry continued north
ward, now beginning to push the mare
for better pace. Taking an early
breakfast at Tullamore, he shot across
country to Kilbeggan, where be found
a road to Mullingar. Thence the coun-
try was level-at least, not mountain
ous-and he pushed his jaded mare on,
breathing her every hour, and at
o'clock in the afternoon rode up to
Carrick on Shannon, having done a
hundred miles since starting. Leaving
his horse in a stable on the south side
Of the river-the animal sank down at
once in her stall-he entered a wood,
threw off buff coat and breeches and
donned green velvet suit he had pick
ed up on the way. This done, he cross
ed the river on foot and entered the
town.
The people were all out on the green,
and Larry, stepping up to the mayor,
asked him the time. The mayor, draw
Ing his watch, gave the hour and CON-
plimented Larry on his beautiful green
and gold lace suit with silk waistcoat
Then Larry proceeded to, make himself
popular with the company.
When a few days later Larry Nevin
returned to Kilkenny bailiff clapped
hand on his shoulder, and he was
taken before Magistrate O'Toole on a
charge Of highway robbery. He plead
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
green velvet and gold suit, instead
Of a buff one worn by the highway
man. O'Toole at the beginning of the
trial had taken the witness stand and
identified Larry as the man who had
asked for the time after nightfall on
the highway with intent to rob, but
when Larry proved his alibi O'Toole
weakened and owned that he might
have been mistaken. Larry was &C.
quilted with great rejoicings.
The charge made by O'Toole, rem
dered groundless by the alibi, was a
great injury to him. Larry was in.
vited by The O'Grady to dine, and he
told the whole story at the table. The
O'Grady was so delighted with Lar
rvs way Of establishing his innocence