Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-08-05
Judge Folsom's
"Theft"
By MURIEL BLAIR
60 1877, western Newspaper union.l

W.
A beautiful young girl and grand
looking old man were about 10 cross
the street in front of second-rate
city flat building. Suddenly the giri
paused halting her companion as wen.
She ran back into the building as II
she had forgotten something
"Take care, thereH' shouted voice
flied with alarm, as the old man aD-
stractedly stepped from the eurp
straight in the path of speeding au-
tomobile.
The speaker was an athletic young
man. His warning came too late Dut
his activity saved the situation ne
made superb dash. just in time ne
drew the imperilled man back, Out
rather rudely shaken up.
Are you hurt, Judge Fosomf' anx-
iously inquired neghbor, rushing
up TO the spot. -,
"Judge Fosom-Judge Hiram FOL
som?" spoke the young man quickly
touching his hat eourteously,
THAT is my name replied the oiu
man with a quiet dignity that well be-
came the careworn but finely intel
lectual face 81 must thank you great
ly. told my daughter, Marcia, was
growing old and careless and-use-
less"
The speaker sighed. The face of his
auditor showed sympathetic nature
He had noticed few moments preVl-
GUS the faded gentility of father anu
daughter. No one could help but op'
serve Marcia Folsom.
Now she came hurrying, pale anu
breathless, from the house, having
caught some teeting runor of her IA
theirs peril. She glided 10 his side
and viewed gratefully the young man.
who had drawn sealed letter from
his pocket.
az was looking for your home, ex-
/ planned the young man. i am the
private secretary of Judge Warner
He is TO be here in a few days, and the
Government district judges who were
ON the bench with you ana hlmse'i
twenty years ago, before he became
governor. are to give him banquet
| came on in advance of him. He eX'
messed special wish that you, MS
oldest friend, should be at the BAN
ouet. | deliver TO you the invitation
as an honored guest, and his letter 10
you" -.
With a culver of the lip the words
came slowly:
81 thank you, sir, but l have retired
from all judicial and social functions
"Father-no-n the fair girl placed
loving hand on the old mans arm
"Sir" 10 the messenger, my father
accents your kind invitation with
pleasure - :,
= Perciyal Ward bowed as though &c
some honored Lear and his loyal Cor
della
Marcia led her father gently into the
" house and to the three bare but neal
I rooms they occupied,
+, She hid from him the fact that th'
hiring of dress suit took all her little
surplus cash. :.
0 II warmed the heart of the ole
y nudge that first hour at the banquet
where cherished friends he had no
t seen for years Wed with one another u
e show him honor. He fingered his nap
o kin nervously, almost stealthlly, uhue
cover of toast. When the group hal
D adjourned to the hotel parlor, its pro
e prietor approached him as he stood Il
j. secluded corner.
Judge Folsom" he spoke in lo'
undertone, you must forgive me, bu
e SET of nut picks are missing frol
the table. | know your circumstance
sir; am your friend ! will glad
l. assist you, but-please return IN
d articles quietly, and nothing shall b
J. said about it,"
Astounded, in amazement, then
Al absolute horror, the old man drew II
n TO his fullest height Into his nop
1 face rushed the suppressed emotion
> of years. He sprang at the speaker
= "You dare he choked out-"yC
k dare TO accuse me Of theftf'
u MY dear Folsom!" cried the asto
ished Governor Warner, arriving
10 the scene. "what in the world do'
lie this meant