Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1920-01-01
Brought Home
to Him
By ETHEL HOLMES
1917. Western Newspaper Union.

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Judge Weatherly of the criminal
court having finished his days work
sat in his private Office smoking ci-
gar, as was his invariable custom af-
ter holding court when there was q
ring at the telephone. Taking up the
receiver he recognized his wife's voice.
"Come home at once. Something
has happened"
"What has happened"
"Ella has been arrested for theft"
"Great heavens !"
Without stopping for an explanation
the judge hurried home, to find a POI
liceman awaiting his arrival. Mrs.
Weatherly was oil of a tremor, while
Ella, the daughter, sat in a sort of
stupor.
"What's this all about?" the Judge
demanded.
"Your Honor" said the policeman.
"a brooch has been missing from the
jewelry store Of Larkins and Swift.
l was ordered to come here and make
search of the room of the young
lady. I found the brooch in one Of
her bureau drawers. Here 1t is"
The policeman produced lady's
watch, it's case studded with jewels.
why, that's one of the Watches"
he said. II looked ut in Larkins and
Swift's store not long ago, when I was
hunting for birthday gift for Ella.
I was tempted to buy 1t, but the price
was very high and l bought one at
another store"
Likely you can explain the matter
to the court" said the policeman.
"Give me time to think" said Judge
Weatherly.
The policeman gave him the desired
time, but it awaited 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 to
the opinion that 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 to
the judge that Mr.. Larkins of Larkins
and Swift, would like to see him at
his store. Judge Weatherly hurried to
the store and was invited into the pri-
vate Office Of the head Of the firm. Mr..
Larkins then handed him letter re-
ceived during the day. 1t read:
Il see by the papers that 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 fiinsy
circumstantial evidence. Not long ago
AO 6ChICASCu 1tulpu u lud
penitentiary for ten years on the eve
Of his wedding. If Judge Weatherly
will secure Edmonds' liberty the find
ing of watch in his daughters pos
session will be explained"
The letter was typewriter and
without signature. At first thought
the Judge fancied it might be used as
evidence to secure his daughters ac-
Quittal, but it soon occurred to him
that In law 1t 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 acceding tc 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 to the
jury In the case Of their client, and IL
they would move for new trial the
judge would assist them to secure 1t
and alter his charge.
The attorneys took the hint and Ed
monds was brought into the court for a
new trial. He was fine looking
fellow with countenance that no one
would consider as belonging to rogue.
His mother was In court and with her
a young girl to whom the prisoner was
to have been married. Only short
time was required for the trial which
consisted in the judges charge to the
jury and was naturally an order for
the Jury to acQuit the prisoner. This
they did without leaving their seats.
The acquitted man embraced his
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 inno-
cent as you doubtless knew your
daughter was innocent, to bring his i'm
prisonment home to you. was pres
emit at his first trial and knew You by
sight. One day saw you 60 into a
eyfn n.,I - l