The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1916-12-28
The Tyrant Man
Kicks Back
By EDWARD T. STEWART

been held. Suddenly lady plunged
forward, pushing aside those in front
of her, and caught man by the sleeve.
"Give me my pocketbook" she cried.
"Your pocketbook! What do you
mean?"
You were sitting by me in the meet
Ing have lost my pocketbook. What
can be palmer than that you have tax
en- 1t? See the slit in my reticule.
made by some sharp Instrument
IF stole your pocketbook, madam,
must have passed 1t to pal, for
haven't got it."
II say you have!"
The man, who was well dressed in a
check suit, looked over the heads Of
the crowd and seeing a policeman.
called to him.
Zone moment, please. Madam, you
have accused me Of stealing your peck
etbook, your accusation being based
on your own deductions. If you prove
me guilty you will have done duty;
if not, you will have to pay well for
oil the inconvenience and injury you
may cause me-"
The woman declared that she was
ready to take the consequences Of her
act The policeman led the man away.
At the station the culprit insisted on
being searched Nothing except his
own belongings was found on him.
'Tom Nolan" said the man at the
desk, we've been looking for you ever
since you made your escape from the
penitentiary six months ago. Up to
your old tricks, l see. You look more
prosperous than when you were sent
up. What's become Of that beautiful
mustache you used to sport?'
I'm not Tom Nolan"
You'd better send to your pal for
the lady's valuables; you'll get lighter
sentence"
"If you think I'm Tom Nolan or any
one else than myself, prove it."
Dead easy. Your photograph was
taken and graces the rogues' gallery"
The photograph was produced, and if
it was not likeness of the prisoner it
was the very image Of him.
t'tAlls right said the prisoner. II
want a1messenger."
He sent for lawyer and for bail
Then HE was suffered to 60, being or
dered TO appear the next morning.
The lady was In court, supported by
half q hundred Of her sister workers
in the cause Of justice for women.
She made her charge, told her story,
showed the cut in her reticule and
stated the amount of her loss. The
identity Of the prisoner was proved by
the photograph Of Nolan, who had rob-
bed many women In much the same
way that the accusing angel" had
been robbed. The prisoner was per-
mitted to make his statement. It was
this:
"Your honor and gentlemen Of the
jury, this affair occurred at meeting
of women with sprinkling of men
which | attended last evening from
curiosity. | listened to accusations of
| men for their barbaric treatment of
women from Adam and Eve down to
the present day. contend that men
have received as much unjust treat
| ment from women as women have
from men. l am now suffering from
such treatment. My accuser has made
circumstantial evidence basis for
bringing upon me what will be great
injury propose to punish her for
doing so. She should have given me
an opportunity to explain. could
have convinced her that I am above
stealing ladies' pocketbooks, for l am
in receipt OF $500 week salary. AS to
my being mistaken for this man No
Ian, that is another matter for which
the lady is not to blame. But / shall
make her pay for what she is to
| blame"
The accused's lawyer then put the
manager Of q aim company on the
stand, who swore that the prisoner
was Alonzo Devereaux. prominent
movie actor, and that he-the manager
was paying him $500 week for his
| services as an actor. The next move
Of the defense was to hang screen.
! darken the courtroom and show the
photograph Of Nolan greatly enlarged.
The prisoners picture was then shown
"a "closeup"-and considerable differ
ence appeared in the two pictures.
That of the prisoner showed minute
globule on the lower lid Of the eye.
! The jury were called on to examine
the real globule with magnifying
glass, and they found 1t to be in place
as shown in hfs photograph.
The prisoner was discharged and at
once brought suit for $4,000 against
the lady who had accused him for in
jury done him in bis profession by the
| accusation and its consequent public
ity. Since he had all the money he
required to press the suit and the lady
had none. even though he should lose
his case in the end, be could appeal
| and appeal till she was tired out and
at loss to pay lawyers fees Though
advised to make the best terms she
could she decided to fight the suit and
did so till 1t had been twice appealed.
Then she called for what her opponent
would ask in compromise She was
surprised to receive written state
ment for her to sign, making an apol-
ogy for not giving Mr.. Devereaux an
opportunity to defend himself without
publicity and acknowledging that the