The Montgomery tribune., 1910-11-25

ment, / shall forbear the
mention of his name. 1t would be fa-
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 private In
terview. After little preliminary
conversation the Judge said that he
wanted to talk to me In regard to
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 skeleton in his
closet. He had sent for me believing
that | might be able to devise some
measure of relief.
MY wife," he said. lis 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 married her. This |
son, notwithstanding his moral train
ing and tender care, has turned out to |
be an unmitigated villain and a con-
stant menace to our peace of mind. |
He seems to be heartless and devoid
q of decency and respect for our posi-
ton. Besides, he Is a thief. Only n
: short time ago he was arrested in Chi
-cago, taken to Baltimore and charged
with committing a robbery in house
of ill 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, 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 l think it is case where
severe measures would be entirely
.}uStifiable. 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
promise made, l 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. had
read Of many strange disappearances
eof 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 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 wrong deed for
the purpose of accomplishing a good
result.
VI the story told by the Judge was
true, there would be but little difficult
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, 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
slide him out Of the country tenderly.
The Judge wanted to get rid of him,
but could suggest no way. 1t was d
delicate case to handle. / knew that
the judge was conscientious and hu.
mane man and that he meant nc
-wrong, and 1t was difficult for me to
understand the course l could safely
ipursue.
{ AS 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? Hat
L met her before? AS the possible rec
.ognition did not appear mutual wal
unable to place her.
The Judge turned away to convers,
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 t,
do something to help them out Of tn,
deep trouble they were in. She spok,
bitterly of her son and of the many In
digniies 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; If h
were dead. she would feel relieved.
While relating her troubles sh
-chanced to mention the name of he
first husband. On the instant recoe