Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-11-25


mention Of his name. 1t would be IA
millar 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 private In
terview. After little preliminary
conversation the judge said that he
wanted to talk to me In regard to q
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 filled with tears
as he explained the cause of their
great trouble. She was a widow with
an only son when l married her. This
son, Notwithstanding his moral train
Ing and tender care has turned out to
be an unmitigated villain and 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 thief. Only
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 1t. Even now | am furnish
ing the money wherewith to crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
he will do next! We are living in con-
stant fear that he will do something
to publicly disgrace us. Now, II there
is any way that he can be got out Of
the country with publicity, If you
can devise any plan to get rid of him
without killing him or sending him to
the penitentiary, 1t will meet with my
approval. | think 1t Is a case where
severe measures would be entirely
justifiable. Just think Of 1t! The
scapegrace has gone so far in his de-
pravity as to escort 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. l 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 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 wrong deed for
the purpose of accomplishing a good
result
If the story told by the Judge was
true, there would be but little dificul.
ty in landing the rascal in the peni.
tentiary for the crimes he was com.
mitting almost daily; but a 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
off 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 thai
the judge was conscientious and hu
name man and that he meant nc
wrong, and 1t was difficult for me t.
understand the course | could safel,
pursue.
AS l 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 before? AS the possible rec
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 II
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
suring me of her faith In my ability I,
do something to help them out of th,
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; II h,
were dead. she would feel relieved.
While relating her troubles sh,
chanced to mention the name of hel
first husband. On the instant recog
niaed her as an old acquaintance.