The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1914-03-14
Copyright, 1914, by the Newspa-
per Enterprise Association

per Enterprise Association
When its turn came, the private
secretary, somewhat apologetic-
ally, laid the letter in front of the
Wisest Man In Wall street.
From Mrs. Austin, probation
officer, Court of General Ses-
fsions," he explained. Wants a
letter about Spear. He's been
convicted of theft. Comes up for
sentence Tuesday,"
Spear" repeated Arnold
Thorndike.
Young fellow. stenographer,
used to do your letters last sum-
mer going in and out on the
train"
The great man nodded. at re-
member. What about him."
Went on the loose; had with
him about five hundred dollars be-
longing to the firm; he's with
Isaacs & Sons, now. shoe people
on 9Th avenue. Met a woman,
and woke up without any money.
The next morning he offered to
make good, but Isaacs called in
policeman. When they looked
into 1t, they found the boy had
been drunk. They tried to with
draw the charge, but he'd been
committed. Now the probation Of
ficer is trying to get the Judge to
suspend sentence. A letter from
you. SIR, would"
1t was evident the mind of the
great man was elsewhere. Young
men who, drunk or sober, spent
the firms money on women who
disappeared before sunrise, did
not appeal to him.
Spear had a letter from us
when he left, didn't her" he
asked. "What he has developed
into, since he left US" he shrug-
ged his shoulders. The secretary
withdrew the letter, and slipped
another In its place.
AS his car slid downtown on
Tuesday morning the mind of Ar
mold Thorndike was occupied with
such details of daily routine as
the purchase of railroad, the
Japanese loan, the new wing to
his art gallery, and an attack that
morning, in his own newspaper,
upon his pet trust. But his busy
mind was not too occupied to re-
turn the salutes of the traffic po-
licement who cleared the way for
him. Or. by some genius of men,
DRY, to recall the fact that 1t was
this morning young Spear was to
be sentenced for theft.
1t was characteristic Of the
great man to act quickly. stop
at the Court OF General Sessions, /"
he commanded. What he pro-
posed to do would take but few
minutes. A word, a personal
word from him to the district at
torpey. or to the judge, would be
enough.
Out of the sunshine Mr.. Thorn
dixie stepped into the gloom of an
echoing rotunda. With depre-
catory laugh, he explained why
he had come, But the outburst
of appreciation he had antici-
pated did not follow.
The district attorney ran his
finger briskly down a printed
card. Henry Spear" he ex-
claimed, that's YOUR man. Court
III, Judge Fallon. Andrews is in
that court" He walked to the
door of HIS private office. AN
drews!" he called.
mr.. Thorndike is interested in
Henry Spear, coming up for SEN
tence in Part Three this morn
ing. Wants to speak for him.
Take him over with YOU"
The district attorney shook
hands quickly, and retreated to
his private office. Mr.. Andrews
took out a cigaret and, as he
crossed the floor. lit 1t.
Come with me-" he COM
manded. Mr.. Andrews led him
to an office, bare and small, and
offered him chair. and handed
him q morning newspaper.
Mr.. Thorndike refused the
newspaper. IL thought / was go
ing to see the judge" he sug-
gested.
court doesn't open for a few
. minutes yet," said the assistant
district attorney. Judge is al
ways late, anyway"
Mr.. Thorndike suppressed an
exclamation. He wanted to pro-
test, but his clear mind showed
him that there was nothing
against which, with reason, he
could protest. Next time he
would send q clerk. But he was
not without sense Of humor