The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-10-14
BURGLAR Al BEl BOOSTS
----..,
BY WALTER .. DELANEY.


Rudd, alias Burglar Ben. Its shame,
Mr.. Wilton! I'm of discredited sort,
but I'm your friend for what you've
done for me, and l say it's shame
to see 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.
II 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
do is to take 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, 1t gave ME scare and I've re-
formed square and straight"
At all events Adrian bade 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 score of
veteran attorneys, lock-rooted in the
estimation OF the people.
One morning Fordham awoke to the
nf holP
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 a mysterious
tip by telegraph. 1t told him that the
telltale handkerchief bearing the
initial "R" and false beard found
in the bank belonged to certain Ben
janlin Rudd and named his residence.
1t further stated that Fordham res
taurant keeper, If confronted with the
burglar, would recognize him as a
stranger with 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 lie was sent for by
Rudd. The latter grlnned 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. II hire you to defend me. Get
to work and make record for your
self"
Burglar Ben practically directed the
case. He 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
that the initiated handkerchief might
nave 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 hardfaced farmers
on the jury looked grim and preju
diced. 1t was then that Adrian came
out IL 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, eloquence. sentment-.he
swayed the audience with master
hand. Women were weeping, strong
men looked grave and sympathetic
The thrilling appeal moved every
heart. After five minutes deliberation
the jury returned it's verdict
Not guilty."
That evening, at the town hotel
Burglar Ben appeared at Adrlan's
room.
Can l ever be tried again for this
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, II have confession tc
make. l did not rob the bank, but
directed the robbery"
Hal" glared the banker
Yes. l did 1t to put on his feet my
best friend, Mr. Wilton. did it tc
force an acknowledgment here OF his
great ability. l got an old pal to dc