United labor bulletin., 1910-11-24

~wXM time important connec-
'IzAzEeY ton with the govern
ment, l shall forbear the
mention of his name. 1t would be IA
miliar to every reader.
One day l received message from
him requesting me to cali at his office
at my earliest convenience. Present
Ing myself was given private in
terview. After little preliminary
conversation the Judge said that he
wanted to talk to me in regard to a
personal matter. He needed my assist
ance in an affair of much concern to
himself and wife. He then related at
some length the history of his family
troubles. There was a skeleton in his
closet. He had sent for me believing
that l might be able to devise some
measure of relief
My wife," he said. "is very mucl
worried and quite prostrated with
grief. She Is in such a nervous state
of mind l fear she will break down
altogether" His eyes filled with tears
as he explained the cause of their
great trouble. "She was a widow with
an only son when married her. This
son. Notwithstanding his moral train
ing and tender care. has turned out to
be an unmitigated villain and a con-
stant' menace to our peace of mind.
He seems TO be heartless and devoid
OF decency and respect for our posi-
ton. Besides. he is a thief Only a
short time ago he was arrested in Chi
cago. taken to Baltimore and charged
with committing a robbery in house
of i'll repute. was compelled to set
tie the case or suffer the disgrace of
an exposure. Wine and women are
his hobbies. He is reckless in the use
of money and will resort to any means
to obtain it. Even now l am furnish
ing the money wherewith to crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
he will do next! We are living in con-
slant fear that he will do something
TO publicly disgrace us. Now, If there
the country without publicity, If you
can devise any plan to get rid of him
without killing him or sending him to
the penitentiary. it will meet with my
approval. l think it is case where
severe measures would be entirely
Justifiable. Just think of it! The
scapegrace has gone so far in his de-
pravity as to escort a woman of known
bad character to his mothers recep-
tons"
My sympathies once aroused and a
promise made. felt bound to take
some action. 1t appeared difficult
undertaking. The fellow was to be
got rid of. but just how was the
question that puzzled my brain. had
read of many strange disappearances
of persons who were never afterwards
heard of, but the manner of their dis
appearance was not always clear. 1t
may have been voluntary act. mental
alteration or the result of a crime |
prided myself upon my skill in de-
vising ways and means to accomplish
an end. but the case in hand, after
some deliberation. appeared somewhat
like perpetrating a wrong deed for
the purpose of accomplishing a good
result
If the story told by the Judge was
true. there would be but little difficult
ty in landing the rascal in the peni-
tentiary for the crimes he was com
mitting almost daily; but a measure
disgrace. To put him away by foul
means was out Of the question. He
may have deserved a sharp medicine,
and the world may have been better
off without him. but there was no
thought of doing him bodily harm.
The idea was to dispose Of him and
slide him out of the country tenderly.
The judge wanted to get rid of him.
but could suggest no way. 1t was a
delicate case to handle. | knew that
the Judge was conscientious and hu-
name man and that he meant no
wrong, and 1t was difficult for me to
understand the course l could safely
pursue.
AS | turned to leave the Judges
Office his wife entered the room.
was introduced. and cast my eyes
upon her face. 1t did not appear quite
new to me. Could be mistaken? Hal
l met her before? AS the possible rec
ognition did not appear mutual | was
unable to place her.
The Judge turned away to converse
with his disbursing clerk The wife
who had evidently been informed In
regard to the purpose of my interview
with the Judge, requested me to be
seated. Placing her hand upon m
arm she smiled pleasantly, while as.
suring me of her faith in my ability to
do something to help them out of the
deep trouble they were in. She spoke
bitterly of her son and of the many in.
dignities he had heaped upon her.
She wanted to be freed from him.
The manner in which he was to be
disposed of did not seem to give her
much concern. She wished him ban
ished in some far-away country; If he
were dead. she would feel relieved.
While relating her troubles she
CHANGED to mention the name of her
first husband. On the instant l recog-
nized her as an old acquaintance.