Mexico Missouri message., 1910-11-24

49, VI prominence and his one
n.y. ~ time important connec-
IE8G&fe-4eKS ton with the govern
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 n private In
terview. After little preliminary
conversation the judge said that he
wanted TO talk 10 me in regard TO a
personal matter He needed my assist |
Rnce in an affair OF much concern to |
himself and wife. He then related at |
some length the history of his family !
troubles. There was q skeleton in his |
closet He had sent for me believing |
that | might be able to devise some |
measure Of relief.
My Wife" be 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 1
an only son when married her. This 1
son, Notwithstanding his moral train |
ing and tender care. has turned out to
be an unmitigated villain and a con
slant menace 70 our peace Of mind.
He seems to be heartless and devoid
OF decency and respect for cur 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 a house
of i'll repute. | was compelled to set
tie the case or Slffer 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 money wherewith to crafty
his vicious appetite. God knows what
he will do next! We are living in con-
slant fear that he will do something
20 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 ii is a case where
severe measures would be entirely
justihable Just think of it! The
scapegrace has gone so far in his de-
pFavity as to escort a woman of known
bad character to his mothers recep-
tons"
My sympathies once aroused and a
promise made, l 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 many 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 voluntary act, mental
alteration or the result of a crime. l
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 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
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
on without him, but there was nc
thought Of doing him bodily hasm
The idea was to dispose of him ant
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 tina
the judge was conscientious and hu
name man and that he meant M
wrong, and It was difficult for me I,
understand the course | could safel,
pursue.
As / turned to leave the Judge
once his wife entered the room.
was introduced, and cast my eye
upon her face. It 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 convers
with his disbursing clerk. The wife
who had evidently been informed 4
regard to the purpose of my intervie,
with the Judge, requested me to b
seated Placing her hand upon m
arm she smiled pleasantly, while az
surfing me of her faith in my ability I
do something TO help them out of tn
deep trouble they were In She spok
bitterly OF her son and of the many il
dignities he had heaped upon hel
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 b,
were dead, she would feel relieved
While relating her troubles sh,
.t.ora,a -, ,,,av,kfon fbo mama ~ he,