Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-11

tunately. In when my message reached him and
came at once He loud in his protestatons Of
my innocence and convinced every one really
what pretended to be, but could of course, prove
that the purse found my own and that
did steal it.
The only thing could do was to stay there and
wait with what patience could for the stranger to
regain his and prove that the property found
not his SO. with a feeling of relief,
that Macintosh had promised to perform the opera
ton for me- bade him good day and went back to
the detention where I to stay under guard
until news came from the hospital. If none came
before night then would have to be locked up in a
cell I resolved to be as quiet and digniied pos
sible under the circumstances, sat there reading
the morning paper
The day and I paced up and down the
room, for word had been received that the
still unconscious, and 1 feeling very
and blue at the thought of spending not only
night in a cell but possibly many
Macintosh had telephoned me that the operation
had been very successful and tried to cheer up
with the certainty of my being able to clear myself
very soon. But nothing could make me hopeful as
the day faded into night and the vision of a night
spent in cell Ioomed up before me. I sent the
man out for one more message before it toolate
and paced up and down nervously waiting his re-
turn.
He came back, saying the man was still in the
same unconscious condition; they would notify
as soon as he came to- if he ever did.
So with that very doubtful hope to cheer was
obliged to follow the attendant to the "pen" and be
placed behind bars The official was very sincere in
his regret at being obliged to do his duty but could
way out of it.
at first could not sleep for the horror of realizing
where was, but the, strain 10 my nerves and not
having slept the previous night brought on a phys
ical exhaustion great that forgot everything
in sleep almost sound as death
l was up bright and early the next morning eager
for news. The attendant came in and informed me
the man had come to his senses and I was to 90 to
the hospital and let him acknowledge it either was or
not his purse; then could go free So it was
with confident heart set out for the hospital.
We reached the hospital in about an hour for it
was in the outskirts of the city, and were immedi
ately led to the room of Mr.. James Armstrong
The man was evidently waiting for u.s. he looked
up quickly, with smile of extreme satisfaction on
his face, and said:-"Oh! you rascal! You thought
me too far gone to you going through my pockets
You miserable scoundrel to rob an unconscious mani
saw you put my money in your pocketbook, but
could not call out for 1 could not speak,"
l could only stare at the in utter amazement
too dumfounded ITO open my mouth. What could he
mean by such lie? He could not have seen me do it
if had for he could anything in his condition
and was too sure as a physician he was not sham
ming How, for what reason, he told such a bare
faced lie could not imagine
He only laughed at my attempts at denials and nv
proofs to who 1 did not swerve him from his
statement that had transferred his money to my own
pocketbook. which by an unlucky chance happened
to be the exact sum he mentioned plus a one pound
note which he claimed all 1 had.
There nothing to do but take me back again
and lock up until tried The case certainly
looked black and proof against me. Even nv
barrster acknowledged it would be hard to prove my
innocence, for the policeman testified to finding me
going through the mans pockets and the himself
swore he saw me put the money in my pocketbook.
On the other hand, how was he going to prove 1t
was his money had on me? He claimed he had no
pocketbook, carried one but had his money in
the envelope marked James Armstrong, Manchester
Court of Continental Europe, which, by the way /
held in my hand when the policeman came up. 1t was
all so dead against me that possible hope of
ever proving my innocence to the court but felt I
would be obliged to serve my sentence which would
not very account of my hitherto good rem
utaton Even So my business would be ruined: I
should have go to other country and begin all
over again.
Some days l would be discouraged I would al.
most wonder if it really my own money and
not his which was, of course, due my nerves and
the overwhelming evidence against me-
The days roll by into weeks, | can see no raw of
hope the time for my trial draws | have lost
flesh; cannot sleep or eat and am miserable wreck
without any hope of ever redeeming my good name.
The day of the trial daWns at last. After a Sleep
less night am ready to go in when my is called
We arrive at the court house some time before my
case is due nervous and restless scarce
ly sit still The idea that may not be able to prove
myself innocent of such charge, when simply tried
to be of some assistance to the man, nearly drives
me mad. l look around. There a good many of
my friends there, anxious / am almost as to the
outcome, for have always been popular in my quiet
way
Now the hands of the clock crawl around to the
hour for the court to open l sit in a dream not
needing anything about me- 1 utterly hopeless
now The magistrate calls my and we go up
before him. am just about to open my mouth in re-
ply as to what have to say to defend myself when
the statement which l had carefully rehearsed
for days leaves my mind entirely, and in my nervous
and excited state | can only stammer:-
There is defence, Your Lordship; / am guilty."
There is help for it l have said the fateful
words which brand me as a thief among men aud
ruin my reputation
am taken back to my cell, there to serve out my
sentence of year. Because of there being no
tenuating circumstances to excuse for taking the
money L am given hard term In my excited
dition of mind l totally unable to remember
whether really did take his money not If So
why should do such q crazy thing? l do not know
myself so how can any one else? | am fooll But