The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-03-22
BURGLAR BEN BOOSTS
BY WALTER j. DELANEY.

1odHLiy village. asked benjamin
Rudd, alias Burglar Ben It's shame,
Mr.. Wilton, I'm of a discredited sort,
but I'm your friend for what you've
done for me. and | say it's shame
TO see a man of your talent throw up
the chance of lifetime"
Why, I've demonstrated some abil-
ity as lawyer, haven't II" challenged .
Adrian Wilton in his smiling, con-
tented way.
/ should say sol" cried his client |
enthusiastically. The papers have
been full of it, Rising young criminal /
lawyer of the day! All you've got to
90 is to take a big Office here in the |!
city and the clients will flock to you.
That's your line Didn't you clear me, |
with five of the best attorneys in the /
city on the other side?"
That was because you were inno-
cent, Ben" reminded Adrian.
For once-by accident" retorted
the ex-burglar with chuckle. Any
how, it gave me a scare and I've re-
formed square and straight"
At all events Adrian babe good-by
to his grateful and would-be helpful
client and returned to Fordham. Yes,
the town had heard of his splendid
record in the city, Nellie Wade es-
pecially. who had shown the newspa-
per clippings to all her friends. The
town, however, had half a score of
veteran attorneys, lock-rooted in the
estimation of the people
One morning Fordham awoke to the
sensation Of g half century A skill
full burglar had broken into the local
bank at midnight Bills of large de-
nomination representing $4,000 had
been taken. There was no definite
clue to the robber or the money.
At the end of week. however, the
county sheriff received mysterious
tip by telegraph. 1t told him that the
telltale handkerchief bearing the
initial r." and a false beard found
in the bank belonged to a certain Ben
jamin Rudd and named his residence.
1t further stated that a Fordham res
taurant keeper, if confronted with the
burglar, would recognize him as a
stranger with a mysterious satchel
whom he had seen the evening of the
burglary.
Adrian Wilton lost a good deal OF
his faith in the reformatory process
as appertaining to Burglar Ben. when
the next morning he was sent for by
Rudd The latter grinned at him be-
hind strong iron bars.
Why, Ben spoke the young law
yer, you have fallen from grace, it
seems"
Not the mani" declared Rudd posi-
lively. I hire you to defend me. Get
to work and make a record for your
self
Burglar Ben practically directed the
case, lie dictated the policy to pur-
sue. Adrian was amazed at his clear
and forcible outline of evidence. When
the case came on, both his wife and
child, a golden-haired little cherub Of
eight years, were in the court room.
Adrian made good use of the evil
dence at his command He proved
that the false beard, worn by any
body, would so obscure the natural
features that later positive identifi-
cation would be difficult He showed
have come accidentally into the pos
session of some of Ben's former Grim
inal associates. Then little Sura was
placed on the stand. The date at
which the bank robbery was commit
ted was her birthday Her father was
at home, 200 miles away, when the
crime was committed.
For all this, the hard-faced farmers
on the jury looked grim and preju-
diced. 1t was then that Adrian came
out in full force He depicted the
former life, the reformation of his
client. He described his changed fam
lily life. He pointed to the weeping
wife, to the innocent little child
/ Oratory, eIoquence, sentiment-h
swayed the audience with master
| hand Women were weeping, strone
men looked grave and sympathetic
The thrilling appeal moved every
heart. After five minutes deliberatior
the jury returned its verdict
Not guilty."
That evening. at the town hotel
Burglar Ben appeared at Adrian's
| room.
Can I ever be tried again for thi:
burglary" he asked
No" answered Adrian.
Then send for the president of the
bank and the Judge" he directed.
| Why" began Adrian, wonder
ingly.
DO as | say. Gentlemen" spoke
Ben, as the persons in question were
summoned, 4 have confession t.
make. | did not rob the bank, but
directed the robbery"
Hal" g1ared the banker.
Yes. | did it to put on his feet m!
best friend, Mr. Wilton. l did it K
force an acknowledgment here of hi
great ability. | got an old pal to d.
the job, but-theres the money. jus
as it left the bank" and he handed
over a package TO the astonished banl
officer.