The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-22

Sate lunatfc lsylums. Its Never Too late
Ia Mend" was such an attack on the Brit
ish prison system that years after it's first
dramatzaton there was almost riot "
tho London theatre. where 1t was produced
"Foul PLAY" is based on tho injustice OF
British justice. which refused TO let an sc
cnsed man testify In his own behalf. Thit
law stops the mouth of the hero, VINO "
accused of forgery and makes felon ci
an Innocent man,
In orr day when an accused person car
rot only delay hfs trial month after month
TO get needed witnesses. but can fight his
conviction for months and years afterwar'
all sorts Of trivial technicAlitles 1t IS
difficult 10 realize the strength of the sit
GGtion in Foul Play" But in Charles
ReHde's time trials were summary; aud a
criminal chaese carried with II strong
decomposition OF the accused mans quit,
despite the legal fiction that he was pre-
siined to be innocent. So the case and dis
nnteh with which Robert Penfoid was 1nr-
RED to the dock and thence To the prison
MSS neither unusual nor strange.
Arthur Wardlaw, son of the great
London merchant. John Wardlaw, was
twenty two years old when he was sent
t. oxford to read for a degree, his
father having decided that the old firm
would be all the better IL its next head
were a university man.
Arthur already had served Seven
years as clerk in his fathers Office. lie
Lad forgotten most of his Crock and
Latin and had accumulated instead n
pr eponderating amount of greed and
cunning II was lucky for him that
his private tutor was the Rev. Robert
Penfold, one of the most brilliant uni
rersity men of his day.
The young Clergyman, intensely con-
scientious by nature, was the more
Jealous in The case of Arthur Wardlaw
because his father. old Michael Pen
fold had been cashier for the house of
WHrIlaU' Whom tn .
Rev Mr.. Penfold learned that Arthur
was to be made a member of the firm
and to have the reins of government
as soon as he should get his degree he
did not content himself with giving the
young man merely course OF instruc-
ton. but went TO his room at all hours
and forced him to read.
He went further, and did his best TO
curb young Wardlaws wild courses,
although he did not know what extrav-
agant expenditures the young fellow
was making. Finally for a worse freak
than usual young Wardlaw was threat
ened with expulsion. This meant ruin
to him. His father never would for
give him. especially as it would lead
to discovery of his debto. most Of
which he had counted on paying quietly
out of the funds of the firm as soon as
he should have them in his hands.
In this emergency Robert Penfold
threw all his influence into the case,
and after days of desperate effort sue
ceeded in saving his pupil Soon after
ward Wardlaw passed his examinations
with ease.
Protesting everlasting gratitude. Ar
thur wardlaw said: You have told me
that you want to buy that living near
oxford, but cannot do so without t6oo.
AS you know, shall be my fathers part
ner at once. l have arranged that the
firm is to lend you $4,000, OF which you
wiz let me have t1,40o to nay some
very pressing debts. The other $500
back to US in easy instalments
Robert Penfold was deeply touched
and could hardly express his thanks.
Arthur Wardlaw hurried to London
and asked his father 70 make the loan.
That gentleman declined instantly.
saying that it WAS not business
Young Wardlaw was hard hit by the
unexpected refusal, 1t was not Robert
Penfolds affair that bothered him,
though, to do him justice, he was eager
enough to repay his great obligation
To the tutor in some way. There was a.
more serious side TO the matter. The
f1.4oo that he had expected to get out
of the transaction We're needed by him
desperately They were to cover debts
that must be paid at all hazards before
there could he any disclosures.
He reflected quickly, Within a few
weeks at tsLe' most he would be head
of the firm. IF he signed his fathers
name to note now he would be in
power by the time it was presented.
He said nothing to Robert Pentold,
A few days afterward a stranger called
on the young clergyman and said that
L w.