The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-07-28
WHAT SHE KNEW
ABOUT LAW
BY ANNA MARSH
Copyright, 1910, by American Press
Association


butler went to the door. and a man
asked % see Mr., Bentley II be was at
home and Mrs. Bentley II be was not
at home. Mrs. Bentley went down into
the hall where the man was waiting.
Pm constable. maam, and have
been sent by the court to make a
search for certain papers required in
the case Of Perkins versus Bentley"
Throwing back bis coat. he showed a
badge, then took a paper from bis
pocket, which be presented as a search
warrant. Mrs. Bentley knew nothing
Of the badge and was not sufficiently
versed in court procedure to discover
II the search warrant was In form. She
knew that her husband was being sued
by his ex-partner in business. and she
considered the said ex.partner a ras-
cal. She gave no thought to the gen.
uineness OF the warrant She concen-
trated her mind upon the problem Of
circumventing the search Her hus-
band had told her TO keep the papers
in question where they would not be
readily found. since It was important
for his own side OF the suit that they
be not produced in court except upon
the choosing of his own counsel
please wait a moment" she said
and turned 10 60 into the library. when
the man stopped her.
Il can't let you 60 and hide the pa
pers," he said.
Very well merely wish to con-
suit my brother" Then. calling
"willF a young man Of serious and
intellectual mien appeared. Mrs.
Bentley told him OF the search war
rant He examined It. pronounced It
an order from the court and taking his
sister aside, warned her not 90 refuse
the man permission to make the search,
since she might render herself liable
10 severe punishment IL she did-per-
haps imprisonment
Il don't believe he's an officer Of the
court at ALL said Mrs. Bentley.
"Why notT asked her brother
'Wel. / don't know. His nose IS
crooked. and there is a cast in bis eye"
That's a pretty reason. Do as you
please. but If you get imprisoned for |
contempt Of court don't blame me-"
Il won't" said Mrs. Bentley
Mrs. Bentley told the constable to
make the search. He went upstairs, +
she following. When be entered bed
room to search st he ordered her to re-
main outside In such commanding I
tones that she obeyed. Finally he /
came to closet wherein was kept the
family silver not in use. An iron door
had been put IN to make It doubly safe.
Ii was locked The man demanded
the key. Mrs. Bentley produced It.
The man opened the door and went
inside. Mrs. Bentley closed it and
turned the key Then she went down
stairs ara told her brother what she
had done.
He informed her that she had GER
tainly been guilty Of contempt Of
court. Mrs. Bentley, without needing
him. went to the telephone called up
her husband and told him what she
mad done. Mr. Bentley telephoned his
lawyer. and the lawyer telephoned the
clerk Of the court, but found no one
who knew anything about the search
warrant
Il thought he was fraud said
AIRS. Bentley to her husband over the
phone,
"why sog"
Il don't know. ! didn't like the looks
Of his nose, and he squlnts."
she heard laughter through the re-
reiyer.
well" said Mr. Bentley, keep him
whore he Is. and I'll come right up.
I'll bring policeman"
Mr.. Bentley soon appeared wit a
genuine cop, They all went to the
closet and unlocked the door. and out
stepped the constable.
s'My eyer exclaimed the cop. If It
isn't Joe Green. alias Tom Dugan,
alias several other names"
Il told you 50. said Mrs. Bentley,
LOOK at his pockets said the cop.
they were bullying with the jewelry
MIR. Green had picked up while in the
bedrooms. You didn't know him for
what he is. did you, maam?'
mo. but didn't believe he was
what he pretended to be-" Ii
''Why not?" &
"Don't You see" Mr.. Bentley put in. .
sthat his nose isn't straight and he's
cross eyed. That's how she spotted
him. she's no good for logic, but she
hits right conclusions
MIR. Green was removed to the sta Z
tion house. where he explained that be
had seen in the morning paper that
there was a dispute about certain doc.
nments in the case of Perkins versus
Bentley. and It had occurred to him
that the circumstance furnished a
chance for a stroke Of genius. Hav q
ing had great deal to do with courts a
though they were the criminal COURTS, 2
he knew enough to perpetrate the
fraud. Possessing himself Of a blank I.
search warrant be alled It up himself. !,
and. borrowing a hreman's badge. I
he considered himself well equipped c
to play the part Of constable. L was
Dnly Mrs. Bentley's peculiar method Of
ertermining the difference between a
thief and constable that spoiled bis
game.