The San Francisco call., 1909-08-22
DEAD2


what I pretended 70 Be, but could not. OF course,
prove that the purse found ne was my own and
that did not steal II
The only thing I could do was TO stay there and
wait with what patience could, Tor the stranger
regain his and prove thar the property found
his So, with a feeling OF relief now
that Macintosh had promised 70 perform the oper--
ton Tor me. bade him good day ard went back
the detention room where wzs 70 say under guard
until came from the hospital. II none came
before night then would have 70 be locked up IN
cell I resolved 70 be quiet and digniaed as pos
sible under the circumstances so there reading
the morning paper
The day and I paced I'd and down the
roOm for word had been received that the man was
still unconscious. and I was feeling very nervous
and blue al the thought Of spending not only one
night in cell bat possibly many more
Macintosh had telepboned ne that the operation
had been very successful and tired 70 cheer ne up
with the certainty OF my being able clear myself
very soon But nothing could make me hopeful as
the day faded into night and the vision OF night
spent in cell doomed up before ne I sent the
out for more message before II was too late
and paced mp and down nervOusly waiting his
He came back, saying the stH n the
same unconscious condition, they would notify me
as he came 70. If he ever did
So with that very doubtful hope to cheer ne was
obliged follow the attendant TO the pen and be
placed behind bars. The Official very sincere IN
his regret being obliged do his duty bat could
way ont OF Il
at first could not sleep for the horror OF realizing
where I was. brt the strain to my nerves and not
having slept the previous night brought on a phys
ca exhaustion great that soon forgot everything
II sleep almost sound as death
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 10 20 10
the hospital and let him acknowledge It either was OF
was not ms purse. then I could go free 50 Il was
with confident heart I set out for the hospital
We reached the hospital in about an hour, Tor It
II the outskirts OF the city, and were innedi-
atey led 20 the room OF Mr. James Armstrong
The evidently waiting for Us, for he looked
Up quickly, with smile Of satisfaction on
his face, and said ~Oh, YOU rascal You thought
me too far gone 70 you going through my
pockets You miserable scoundrel % rob an uncon-
scious mani saw you put my money n your own
pocket book, but could not eaH ont, for oOuld
speak
I could only stare AZ the nan IN utter arzzeuent.
too dumfounded 10 open my mouth What could
he by such Ees He could not have seen me
do Il If I had, for he could anything IN his
condition and TOO physician he was
not shznnling- How, for what reason. he told
such bare faced lie I could not imagine
He only laughed M attempts al denials and
my proofs as 10 who 1 did not swerve hin from
his statement that I had transferred his money 10
my own pocket book, which BY unlucky chance
happened TO be the exact sum he mentioned plus a
one pound note which he claimed was al I had
There was nothing do but take me back again
ard lock up until tried. The case certainly
looked black and proof was against me Even my
baTrsteT acknowledged Il would be hard 70 prove my
innocence, for the policeman testified 70 finding ne
gong through the mans pockets and the nan him
sell swore ne saw me put the money II ny pocket
book
On the other hand, how was he going 70 prove II
was his money had on me- He claimed he had no
pocket book. 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 II
was al so dead against that I saw no possible
hope Of ever proving my innocence 70 the court but
felt would be obliged TO serve my sentence which
would not be very On account OF ny hitherto
good reputation Even So my business would be
rulned' should have 10 80 70 some other country
and begin al over again.
Some days / would be 50 discouraged would al
most wonder # II were really my owH money and
not his, which was. OF course due 10 my nerves ard
the overwhelming evidence against ne
The days roll by into weeks. I can see no ray Of
hope as the time for my trial draws near have lost
flesh; sleep eat, and an miserable wreck
without any hope OF ever redeeming ny good name
The day Of the trial daWns al last After sleep
less night l ready 70 60 IN when my called
We arrive the court house some time before nv
] case Is due nervous and restless I can
: scarcely SIT still The idea thar / may not be able
' 70 prove myself innocent Of such a charge. when
simply tired 10 be OF some assistance TO the man.
2 nearly drives mad I look around There are
{ good many OF my friends there. anxious as I am
4 almost the outcome, for I have always been
: popular my quiet way
: Now the hands OF the clock crawl around 10 the
hour Tor the court TO open ! ST a IN dream not
E needing anything about me am utterly hopeless
now The magistrate calls my case and We 60 up
before him lam ust about 10 open uy mouth in re-
ply what have TO say TO defend myself ,shen