The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-12-07
A Singular
Vindication
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN

oOLC1 pdSSCASCLS lAol udu GOLnC
England on her began to descend the
gangplank the young man mentioned.
scrutinizing each person, finally pointed
to a woman with a patch over her left
eye and called upon a constable stand
ing beside him TO arrest her. She was
taken to the headquarters of the watch.
where she proved to be a man. Then
a young woman who stood by threw
her arms about the man who had caus-
ed the arrest and silently wept tears
of relief with her head on his shoulder
Ten years before. at seventeen, she
had married Abel Williams. two years
her senior. clerk in the counting room
of Edward Hooper, a china merchant.
They were very happy. and little girl
was born to them. One evening when
the young husband was playing with
his little daughter several men entered
and arrested him on a charge of en-
bezzling money from his employer.
For some time Williams was at loss
10 understand why he. conscious Of be-
ing perfectly innocent, had been charg
ed with crime. Then, remembering GER
tain suspicious circumstances connect
ed with fellow clerk named Skinner.
he came to the conclusion that Skinner
was the defaulter and had laid his pee
ulations at Williams door. Abers
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 6oundered 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 criminal
could not secure a position and was
obliged TO make living by working
at home. He was very handy with a
knife and carved out trinkets that his
wife sold for him.
One difficulty in the way of his vim
dication was that Skinner had left New
York. and no one knew where he had
gone. His disappearance confirmed
Abers suspicion that he was the real
criminal and had covered up his own
Jnf he Dor knx,
Abel. A criminal in one case is likely
to be a criminal in other cases, and
had Skinner remained in New York
possibly he might have got into trou-
BILE 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 over Abel's APP
pealed to him TO assist him in making
an escape The man cut hole in the
floor and let himself down into Abel's
cell. Abel permitted him to hide un-
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 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 I'm
or 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 | took together on the other
side of the big water is goin' to beat
me out O. my share. | can fix It so
that he'll have to divide with you"
Abel told the man that he would not
receive stolen goods.
''Well. them" continued the jailbird,
II can fix it this way: There's 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 was a one 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 man. Mrs. Williams recognized
Skinner. He was much changed from
what he had been and had lost an
eve. The fact that Abel was or would
be indicated by the arrest was a re-
| lief to the poor woman which caused
ii complete relaxation. For few mo-
ments she wept on her husbands
shoulder. then turning to the prisoner.
| said:
Skinner
The jewels were found concealed in
a wig worn by the criminal. and Abel
| received reward of $4,000. He at
| ence employed an expert accountant
| 20 30 over the books he was accused
IF famrering with. and it was found
that the shortage had been dexterous-
" transferred from the books kept by
| SsEiseer to those of Abel The firm
| hat had prosecuted him did everything
| tn - nn,ver IN atone for it's action.