Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1918-01-31
Brought Home
to Him
1cOpsrisht. 1911. western Newspaper Union. ,
By ETHEL HOLMES

Judge Weatherly of the criminal
court having finished his days work
sat In his private Office smoking n ci-
gar. as was his invariable custom af-
ter holding court. when there WIS a
ring at the telephone. Taking up the
receiver he recognized his wife's vosce.
"Come home at once. Something
has happened 4
"what has happenedr'
ELLA has been arrested for theft"
"Great heavensf-
Without stopping for an explanation
the Judge hurried home, to find a po-
liceman awaiting his arrival Mrs.
weatheriy was all OF tremor. while
Ella, the daughter. sat In q sort Of
stupor.
-what's this all about1" the Judge
demanded.
"Your Honor" said the policeman.
"a brooch has been missing from the
jewelry store Of Larkins and Swift.
I was ordered 10 como here and make
n search OF the room OF the young
lady. 1 found the brooch In one Of
her bureau drawers. Here Il Is"
The policeman produced a lady's
watch, it's case studded with Jewels.
"Why. that's one Of the Watches"
he said. 81 looked at I'm Ldrkns and
Swift's store not long ago. when | was
hunting for a birthday gift for Ella.
was tempted TO buy II. but the price
was very high and / bought one at
another store"
Likely you can explain the matter
to the court" said the policeman.
"Glve me time to think" said Judge
Weatherly. CO.,
The policeman gave him the desired
time, but II availed nothing; he was as
much In the dark at the end Of half an
hour as before. A cabman was called
and the Judge. his daughter and the
policeman. went TO the station. There
the Judge gave bail for the accused
girl, and father and daughter rode
home.
That his daughter was guilty OF the
theft charged never entered the
judges mind. Some person or per-
sons had conspired to injure her or
more likely him. He was constantly
receiving threats from criminals he
| sentenced. but thus far none had mate
rallied. He finally settled down 10
the opinion that n hardened criminal
TO whom he had given the extreme
| penalty OF the law and who had threat
ened to be even with him In time, had
been the perpetrator OF the outrage.
That afternoon a message came 10
the judge that Mr.. Larkins OF Larklns
and Swift, would like to see him at
his store. Judge Weatherly hurried 70
the store and was invited into the pri-
vate Office Of the head Of the firm. Mr..
Lhrklns then handed him a letter re-
celved during the dry. II read:
81 see by the papers that a daughter
Of Judge Weatherly Of the criminal
court has been arrested for the theft
OF your goods. This is the Judge,
believe, who sentences people on flimsy
| CircumStantial evidence Not long ago
he sentenced Ralph Edmonds TO n,
! penltentlary for ten years on the eve
OF his wedding. II Judge Weatherly
will secure Edmonds' liberty the find.
Ing of n watch I'm his daughters pos
session Will be explained"
The letter was typewritten and
without signature. At first thought
the Judge funcled II might be used as
evidence to secure his daughters &C.
quittal, but II soon occurred 10 him
that IN law It would not be received
as testimony. Besides the Judge wish.
ed his daughter exonerated. and he
decided that full explanation could
only be gained by accedlng TO the
terms Of the writer of the letter.
The attorney who had defended
Ralph Edmonds was notified by Judge
Weatherly that he had grave doubts
Of the propriety Of his charge 70 the
jury In the case OF their client, and ~
they would move for new trial the
Judge would assist them TO secure II
and alter his charge. 90
The attorneys took the hint and Ed
monds wQs brought into the court for a
new trial. He was fine looking
fellow with a countenance that no one
would consider as belonging to a rogue.
His mother was In court and with her
a young giIl TO whom the prisoner was
10 have been married. Only n short
time was required for the trial which
consisted In the judges charge 10 the
jury and was naturally an oSier forl
the jury TO acQult the prisoner. This
they did without leaving their seats.
The acquitted man embraced bis
mother after which he and his fiancee
were locked In each others arms. Then
the young lady went TO the judge and
said:
Il determined after the conviction
of my betrothed who knew was limo
cent as you doubtless knew your
daughter was innocent. TO bring his I'm.
prisonment home 20 you. / was pres
ent at his first trial and knew you by
sight. One day l saw you 20 into