American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1910-12-03

ment, | shall forbear the
mention of his name. 1t would be ia
miliar to every reader.
One day | received a message from
him requesting me to call at his office
at my earliest convenience. Present
ing myself | was given a private In
terview. After a 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 | might be able to devise some
measure of relief.
My wife," he said, 'is very mucn
worried and quite Frustrated with
grief. She is In such a 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 a
short time ago he was 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 to any means
to obtain it. Even now | am furnish
ing the none wherewith to crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
be 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 ne can be got out OF
the country without publicity, II 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 a case where
severe measures would be entirely
j~ustiiable. 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 onc 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. had
read of man. strange disappearance
of persons who were never afterwards
heard of, but the manner of their dis
appearance was not always clear. 1t
may have been a 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 elaboration, 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 Il 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 a sharp medicine
and the world may have been better
of without him, but there was nc
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 .
delicate case to handle. | knew tha-
the judge was a conscientious and hu
lar man and that he meant M
wrong. and It was difficult for me t.
understand the course | could safely
pursue.
AS | turned to leave the Judge,
Office his wife entered the room.
was introduced, and cast my eve.
upon her face. 1t did not appear QUIT,
new to me. Could | be mistaken? Ha.
met her beforee AS the possible yec
ognition did not appear mutual | wa.
unable TO place her.
! The judge turned away TO conyers,
with his disbursing clerk. The wife
! who had evidently been informed IL
regard to the purpose OF my interview
with the judge. requested me to b,
seated. Placing her hand upon m
arm she smiled pleasantly, while as
/ surfing me of her faith in my ability Il
do something to help them out OF III,
deep trouble they were in. She spok,
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 b.
| disposed of did not seem to give he
much concern She wished him ban
ished In some far-away country IL h,
we're dead, she would feel relieved
While relating her troubles al,
CHANGED to mention the name OF be
FIRST husband. On the instant | recce