The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1910-12-02

hASh Will Inc govern
ment, shall forbear the
mention of his name. 1t would be ia,
miliar to every reader.
One day received message from
him requesting me to call at his Office
at my earliest convenience Present,
Ing myself | was given a private in.
teryiew. After a little preliminary
conversation the judge said that he
wanted to talk to me in regard to a
personal matter. He needed rny assist.
ance In an affair of much concern IN
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 | might be able to devise some
measure of relief.
My wife," he said, is very mucu
worried and quite Frustrated with
grief. She is in such nervous state
of mind fear she will break down
altogether" His eyes filed 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-
slant 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
short time ago he was arrested in Chi.
cago, taken to Baltimore and charged
with committing robbery in a house
of i'll repute. l 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
10 OBTAIN 1t. Even now | am furnish
Ing the money wherewith to crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
ne will do next! We are living in con-
slant fear that he will do something
to publicly disgrace us. Now, If there
is any way that he can be got out of
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. | think it is case where |
]ust1hable. Just think of it! The |
scapegrace has gone so far in his de-
prav1ty 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 a difficult |
undertaking. The fellow was to be
got rid of, but just how was the
question that puzzled my brain. l had
read OF many strange disappearance
OF persons who were never afterwards
heard of, but the manner of their dis
appearance was not always clear It
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-
tertiary for the crimes he was com.
hitting almost daily; but a measure !
OF this kind would mean exposure and
olsgrace. To put him away by foul r,
means was out of the question. He
may nave deserved a sharp medicine.
and the world may have been better
OF without him, but there was no
thought of doing him bodily harm.
The idea was to dispose of him and
side him out Of the country tenderly.
Inc Judge wanted to get rid of him,
out could suggest no way. 1t was :.
delicate case to handle. knew that
the Judge was conscientious and hui
name man and that he meant no
wrong, and it was difficult for me to
understand the course | could safely
pursue. =
AS l 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
met her before? As the possible rec !
ignition 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 J
with the judge, requested me to be !.
seated. Placing her hand upon m. J
arm she smiled pleasantly, while as :
surfing me of her faith in my ability to
10 something to help them out of the
deep trouble they were in. She spoke d
bitterly of her son and of the many in q
algntties he had heaped upon her. Q
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
lshed in some far-away country; if he
We're dead, she would feel relieved.
While relating her troubles she t
chanced to mention the name of her t
nrst husband. On the instant recog-
1lZed her as an old acn1laintance / ''