The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1907-11-05

was brought before the Justice of tho
peace to give bail. This he did, and
determined TO wait until the examina
tion before showing his hand" as he
! expressed II.
The court room was crowded.
| Every body knew Frank Maulin. and
everybody wanted to see just what
would transpire.
well. sir" said the justice. after
the evidence for the State was all in.
what have you to say for yourself?
The assistant cashier has testified
that you entered the bank at four
o'clock, and surely that makes a
strong case"
Your Honor" was the reply. 81 am
prepared to prove an alibi. but am
unwilling to bring into court the wit
ness whom | depend upon"
That is rather remarkable" said
the justice. You know, my friend
that you are accused of very serious
crime?"
IL am aware OF that. sir, but my call
ing upon the only witness who can
prove my absence from the bank Mt
that hour would compromise one
whom l would dislike to inconven.
I fence"
1T went Inconvenience mo any, Mr
| Maulin," said boyish voice at the
rear of the room. and slight youth
came olbowng his way forward.
lie had under his arm thin, square
package carefully wrapped in paper.
Fred, what i'm the world are yor
doing herc?" asked his father, the
banker in establishment
I'm going to testify. II Justice Long
Will let me-" was the answer
"Of course I'll let you if you have
anything worth hearing" said the
| Judge, benignantly.
well. ! was takin' photographs
yesterday afternoon" began Fred. af
ter being sworn, "and sister hal some
body visitin' her in the parIor. let
the camera down outside tho house
an took picture of the parlor. 1t
was brisht in there, an got a good
one That's H." handing the justice
tho flat, square package.
Slowly his honor unwrapped It. AS
! he took out the cardboard inclosed. a
qUizZical lCok oversproad his features.
Then. with a laugh shining in his face,
he reached out his hand to Frank.
"All right, my boy" he said. cord
tally. "Ycu have a good alibi'
He handed the picture to Mr.. Nc
Gosh. An expression of wonder GOV
cred the bankers face. What he saw
was a parlor wall with pictures and
| portieres distinctly shown. A piano
! was in the foreground. and near IL
stood Frank Maulin. his face turned
| toward a slender form which was sit
ting before the keys. In the musician
he recognized his daughter Annie,
while the French clock on the mantel
pointed to 4:05.
Yes, that settles ft.@ he admitted
Permit me to congratulate you, Sir"
and he grasped Franks hand. 81
never believed it of you, but you know
the evidence was hard against YOU"
Spectators crowded around and
wanted to see the picture. but Mr..
McCcsh put it in his pocket
When they were alone a few min
utes after, he said:
by the way, Maulin, what were
you doing at my house yesterday?
Did you want to see me?"
81 may as well make a clean breast
of it, sir" was the response. 81 was
robbing you, but not of your cash.
| have long determined to rob you of
your daughter and, as she is willing.
| think you ought to be-"
The audacity Of his speech rather
staggered the father, and he gruffly
| answered that he would see about II
lie saw about it to such good pur.
! pose that the house of McCosh had II
wedding a few months thereafter and
Annie and Frank wcrc the chief act.
! ors.
Perhaps he was somewhat influ-
cnccd toward his leniency by the fact
that the $4,000 had been found 4
| few days after the robbery in tho
possession cf the assistant cashier,
who proved to be the thief 1t was
not all gain, however. for half of It
made up the bankers wedding gift to
| the newly-marricd pair.
Fred who contributed so material
| ~ to the contamination devoutly TO be
wished, was not forgotten. but was
| presented by his brother-inIaw with
a three-figurc check which purchased
a vast assortment Of traps for his
| den" To this day he rcve's i'm OK
! pcrimcnts and schemes. but none Of
| them have turned to such good &C.
! count as his instantaneous photoR
/ raphy which gave Annie a husband.
| made himself q stanch friend and PIT
I Of Nf .F
with hig sister.-Good Literature.