The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1910-11-30


NV ~-ZSI time important cOnncc-
iI1AGE.g' ton with the govern
ment. stall lorbear the
mention Of his name. II would be IA
miliar 10 every reader
One Cay / received Z message from
him requesting ne 10 cal. at his office
q: Iny earliest convenience. Present
ing myself l was given 4 private in
teryiew After 4 little preliminary
conversation the judge said that ne
wanted 10 tax TO nc in regard 10
personal matter. lie needed my assist
Hnce IN an affair OF much concern 10
himself and wife. He then related al
some length the history OF his family
troubles. There was a skeleton in his
closet he had sent for me believing
that might be able To devise some
measure OF relief
My wife," he said. is very mucli
worried and quite Frustrated with
grief. She is in such q nervous state
of mind I fear she viii break down
altogether" His eyes flied with tears
rs 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-
slant menace TO our peace OF mind.
He seems to be hcartless and devoid
Of decency and respect for our posi-
ton. BESIDES. he is a thief Only
short time ago he Ma arrested in Chi
cagO. taken to Baltimore and charged
with committing a robbery in a 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 10 any means
to obtain it Even now | arr furnish
ing the money NhereWith TO crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
he will do next. We are living in con
EtGnt fear that he will DO something
to publicly disgrace Us. Nov, il there
Is any way that he can he got out of
the country without publicity, If You
can devise any plan 10 get rid Of him
without killing him or sending him 10
the p2nitentiary, ii will meet with my
approval think il is 4 case where
severe measures would be entirely
juSti.iable. Just think of il. The
scapeGrace has gene so far il his de
prayity as to escort q woman of known
bad character TO ms mothers recep-
lions"
My symp2thies once aroused and a
promise made. | fei~ bound TO take
some action. Il appeared a 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 disappearance
OF persons who were never afterwards
heard %. hat the manner of their dis
appearance was not always clear II
may have been voluntary act mental
alteration or the result Of a crime |
rrided myself upon my skill in de-
wishing ways and means TO accomplish
an end. but the case in hand. after
come elaboration. appeared somewhat
Ike perpetrating a wrong deed for
the purpose of accomplishing a good
result.
II the story told by the Judge was
true. there would tie but little difficult
ty in landing the rascal in the peni-
tcntiary for the crimes he was com
mi;ting almost daily; but measure
of this kind would mean exposure and
disgrace To put him away by foul
means was out OF the question He
may have deserved 4 sharp medicine.
and the world may have been better
on without him. but there was no
thought of doing him bodily harm
TIE 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 =,
delicate case TO handle. | knew that
the judge was a conscientious and hu-
mane man and that he meant no
wrong, and II was difficult for me 10
understand the course | could safely
pursue.
AS l turned to leave the judges
office his wife entered the room. |
was introduced, and cast nv ewes
upon her face. II did not appear cutie
new 10 me Could be m:St2heno Ha
I met her before? AS the POSSIBLE rec
ognition did not appear mutual | vas
Enable 70 place her.
The Judge turned away 70 converse
Eith his diSbursins clerk The wife.
who had evidently been informed in
regard to The purpose OF my Interview
with the Judge. requested ME 10 be
seated. Placing her hand upon -
srn she smiled pleasantly. while as
surfing me CO her faith in my ability to
do something 10 help thorn out o: the
deep trouble they were in. She smoke
bitterly Of her son and O; the many in
signifies he had heapei upon her,
She wanted TO be freed from him.
The manner in which he was 20 be
disposed OF did not seem 10 give her
much concern. She wished hin, han !
fshed In some far-away country; il he I
were dead. she would feel relieved
While relating her troubles she
Glanced TO mention the name OF her
fist husband. On the instant | recos-
EiGed her as an Old acquaintance. 1 !,