The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-11-05
By DONALD cHAMBERLlN

Ten years before, at seventeen, she
had married Abel Williams. two years
her senior. a clerk in the counting room
of Edward Hooper, a china merchant.
They were very happy. and a little girl
was born to them. One evening when
the young husband was playing with
his little daughter several men entered
and arrested him OF a charge of en-
bezzling money from his employer.
For some time Williams was at a loss
to understand why he, conscious of be-
ing perfectly innocent, had been charg-
ed with crime. Then, remembering GER
tain suspicious circumstances connect
ed with Il fellow clerk named Skinner.
he came to the conclusion that Skinner
was the defaulter and had laid his pee
ulations at Williams door. AbePs
books were brought into court at his
trial and showed conclusively that
some one had been covering up a loss
Of about $4,000. He was not an ex-
pert accountant and 1oundered hope
lessly in his defense. He was convict
ed and sentenced to five years impris-
onment.
During his incarceration his wife
stood by him. and when he stepped
from prison she took him home, and
the two began to plan for his vindica:
ton. Unfortunately an investigation
would cost money. Besides, there was
no clew, nor were there In those days
detectives. as there are now. After
considering the matter for some time
they gave up hope of removing the
stigma. Abel. having been a criminal.
could not secure a position and was
obliged to make a living by working
at home. He was very handy with u
knife and carved out trinkets that his
wife sold for him.
One difficulty in the way Of his vim
York. and no one knew where he had
gone. His disappearance confirmed
Abel's suspicion that he was the real
criminal and had covered up his W
%defalcation through the books kept by
Abel. A criminal in one case is likely
to he a criminal in other cases. and
had Skinner remained in New York
possibly lie might have got into trou-
bic that would have explained Abel's
ruin. But Abel was not sure that Skin
ner was guilty.
While in prison one of the inmates
whose cell was directly v e Abel's ap-
pealcd to him to assist him in making
an escape. The nan cut u hole in the
floor and let himself down into Abel's
cell. Abel permitted him to hide I'M
der his cot. Abel. who was employed
ON the prison books and accorded spe-
cial privileges. also consented that the
man should take advantage of them.
He thus escaped, and Abel lost his job
on the books and was relegated to a
cell.
One day when Abel was at work
making a toy ship. a man walked in and
stood looking at him.
You don't remember me-" he said.
I'm the man you helped to escape
from prison. I've come to pay you for
what you did and suffered for me.
don't know whether you are a bad un
or a good un and don't care. only
know that I'm bad. A pal Of mine
who has got some valuable jewels that
he and I took together On the other
side Of the big water is goin' to beat
me out o. my share. I can fix it 30
that he'll have to divide with you"
Abel told the man that he would not
receive stolen goods.
."Well. then" continued the jailbird.
Il can fix it this way: There's a big re-
ward offered for the property. You're
welcome to it"
Abel readily assented to this. and the
man informed him that the party was
bringing the jewels from Paris. where
they had been stolen. to dispose Of
them in America. He al a n eyed
man and readily identified. He would
arrive on a certain day and Abel could
turn him over to the authorities and
secure the reward.
To return to the party who had just
discovered that the person arrested
was a man. Mrs. Williams recognized
Skinner. He was much changed from
what he had been and had lost an
eye. The fact that Abel was or would
be vindicated by the arrest was a re-
lief to the poor woman which caused
a complete relaxation. For a few. mo-
ments she wept OF her husbands
shoulder. then. turning to the prisoner.
said:
skinner"
The jewels were found concealed in
q wig 0 by the criminal. and Abel
received a reward of $4,000. He at
once employed an expert accountant
to go over the books he was accused
Of tampering with. and 1t was found
that the shortage had been dexterous-
" transferred from the books kept by
Skinner to those of Abel. The firm.