The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-23
uallM - 1005I5

0oLuB % ~ ySAo9sA =.
sountry villaGs2- asksd bsa5am1n
Rudd, alias Burglar Ben. ITS > shame
l1r. Wilton! I'm Of . discredited sor6
but I'm your friend for what you've
done Tor me, and I say it's shame
to see . man Of your talent throw up
the chance Of . lifetime"
why. I've demonstrated some abil-
lty ~ . 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 FUN Of It. Rising young criminal
lawyer Of the day. All you've got to
do 10 to take big once here in the
city and the clients win flock to you.
That's your line Didn't you clear me.
with ave Of the best attorneys in the
city on the other side?"
That was because you were limo
cent, Ben" reminded Adrian.
For once-by accidenti" retorted
the ex-burglar with a chuckle. Any
how. it gave me a scare and I've re-
kVImCQ SQu0k0 anu SSk0A6nS.
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 score Of
veteran attorneys, lock-rooted in the
estimation of the people.
One morning Fordham awoke to the
sensation of a half century. A skill
ful 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 a week, however, the
county sheriff received a 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 certain Ben
jamin Rudd and named his residence.
1t further stated that Fordham res
taurant keeper, IL 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, il
seems"
Not the mani" declared Rudd posi-
lively. Il hire you to defend me- Get
to work and make a 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 evi
dence at his command. He proved
that the false beard, worn by any
body. would so obscure the natura
features that later positive identifi
cation would be difficult. He showed
that the initiated handkerchief NIGH
have come accidentally into the pos
session of some of Bens former Grim
inal associates. Then little Sura wa!
1 nlQNad CT he -
which the bank robbery was commit
ted was her birthday. Her father wa.
at home, 200 miles away, when tn,
| crime was committed.
For all this, the hard-faced farmer,
on the jury looked grim and preju
diced. 1t was then that Adrian cam,
out in full force He depicted tn,
former life, the reformation of hi
client. He described his changed fam
lily life. He pointed to the weepin,
wife, to the innocent little child
Oratory, eloquence. sentiment-h,
swayed the audience with a maste
hand. Women were weeping, stron,
men looked grave and sympathetic
The thrilling appeal moved ever,
heart. After five minutes deliberatior
the jury returned its verdict
Not guilty."
That evening, at the town hotel
Burglar Ben appeared at Adrian,
room
Can ever be tried again for thi,
burglary" he asked.
No." answered Adrian
Then send for the president of tn,
bank and the judge" he directed.
| Why" began Adrian. wonder
ingly.
DO as l say. Gentlemen" spok,
Ben, as the persons in question wer,
summoned, Il have a confession I,
make. | did not rob the bank. but
directed the robbery"
Hal" glared the banker.
Yes. ! did it to put on his feet m,
best friend, Mr.. Wilton. | did II r.
force an acknowledgment here of hi,
great ability. 1 got an old pal to dc
the job, but-theres the money ms,