HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1895-05-24, Page 2THE WINUIJAM TIMES, MAIC 24,.1t395.
TUa ease r,3O ,•r,
The poor old elitpper, alone sat he
()n a mosey rot,k uy the surging sea, •
Hie ha r was ,vitae ars drivers snow,
Or the i'oete ut cite billows. down below,
And the eyes. that ;lased on the distant
blue
Were dim and welt he knew, well aware of these numerous walks, tend in Italian hour James Hardy
Per his years. of s ak:ins; were nearly but be was too shrewd at malt to rule' ryas safely under leek and key, to
And#tis
hs t,t lila talar part stow was complaining to the girl's hither coal-, await his trial for embezzling the
bent cerning the young couple. IIe knew fun& of his employer. The evening
well enough that to put obstacles, hi of his arrest, young Richard Wood
He head been at sailer many a year, their path would probably result in was allowed to see l im.•
.He half saildi the oneau with never afear
And now that his life was nearly clone, drawing them closer together. He 'What's this, Jilts, old fellow?' he
And Lis yolrs had fatted one by one, Could afford to wait and quietly said lin enterhro' the cell 'Mat
habit of taking meals at a, neighbor-
ing restaurant, and generally left
the office for this purpose at one
o'c:loek returning about half -past
two,
David (Henderson was perfectlt
-
guilt in my hand, coupled ;with this
gentleman's statement. I shall have
you arrested at once. Mr. Hender-
son, kindly telephone for an officer
toarrest this matt.'
In a short tilde an officer arrived,
lie Iouged t:oe more tor the rolling $ea, ' mature plans whereby he could re- ;rind of a mess have you got its with
Far the life {„t the ocean wild and free; - ,
the governor? He told me something
A elle of the life be loved 80 well. I path, It was on returning from one about stealing money, but I don't
Still was th<l skipper down by the strand , of these walks that a clerk addressed believe it ; they can't make me be -
When the seadows of twilight Icisse•i sea halt T in the opening words of the Neve it, old chap; I know you Metter
and t.,u.i; ; story. A summons to the private than that. Here's s a note from
.But hie eyes veto closed and his head' office was no new thing for the Mabel; she doesn't believe it either,
arca-�.3 low, 'cashier•, so, banging up his hat he I can't stay longer, but I will get
k or the • ,terser had lost all thoughts of '
woe, quietly knocked at the door and you off somehow. I'm going now to
. And th., waves mashed up with a dismal entered, Mr. Wood was sitting at your sister and uncle and explain
mart', desk, and seated opposite hint was the affair. to theta ; good night, old
And :For iot"4sd 1+oritihisu+hitnandueped stone, t the manager r of the Commercial fellow ; cheer up;' and with a grip
I s had anchored safely --he was dead. :Bank. Mr. • ood turned as the of the hand that proved Ms sincerity,
,tA Gs .. __ _ __..,re.__ 1 cashier entered ; as soon as the door the door closed on Iiim, and ,J}tn
A 'OMICRON RIVAL i was closed he said: Hardy was left again in solitary
.___ 'dlr. Hardy, you cashed a eheque confinement, Left alone, he opened
BY Ivor O. w,1,I.*il±,tt, yesterday for five thousand dollars ; the note—the last be was to receive
— , can you tell me fee what purpose it for some time from the girl he held
'DTr. Hardy, you are wanted in the was drawn ?' so dear ; it was full of expressions of
private office.' 'There must be some mistake, sir ; her belief in his Honesty, and went
Air, ,Httiues Hardy was cashier fi`r I did not cash any cheque for that - far too cheer him in his trouble,
the filar of Wood & Son, chemical amount recently.' Next morning, James Hardy was
manufacturers. He had entered the -Ir. Henderson informs me that' arraigned before a magistrate, and
office when a hoy of fourteen, and You did, and that several times committed to a higher court for trial
Has steadily risen, and at twenty five lately, during my absence from by jury. Nothing of moment hap-
has
the position of cashier and town, you have cashed cheques for; pened before the 'assizes. The
con-
fidential clerk to Mr. Wood. Left large sums, and that when you pre- ` prisoners counsel worked hard to
early in life to make his own way sentecl one for so large a sum yester- collect evidence in his favor, but all
in the world, Jiro Hardy had stu- day, he decided to ask me if he their efforts were unavailing. The
dimly applied himself to master all were doing right in paying thein.' case was the first on the list for trial,
Liao details that go to make up a
Tim Hardv looked straight at Mr. , and as all the part; concerned in
successful business man's career. Henderson ; he disliked the man, ;it were known, the court was
His father had died when young Jim but the thought that he might try- to crowded. A11 eyes was turned on
was only ten years old; dills mother injure his reputation had never be-' the prisoner as he took.his stand in
he had almost no recollection, for fore entered his head. As his eyes' the dock, He was very pale and his
after the birth of a little baby girl, met the steely glitter in David Hen- ', eyes roamed over the sea of faces, as
her gentle spirit floated away, leav_ Berson s, the thought of treaehery ; if looking for soineone ire expected to
ing her two children to the care of flashed through his bran, and his see there. He nodded to his uncle
the broken-hearted 'father. For• faec paled somewhat for a moment, ' and sister, and one, or two of his
eight years Dr. Hardy idolized his and his heart stood still, but he was friends nearest to lafp, but appeared
two children ; but the day came suddenly recalled by the voice of his l to miss the object; of his search.
when terror struck the hearts of the employer, saying: !There were practically no witnesses
citizens of New York,- 'for small -pox . 'Mr. Hardy, kindly fetch me the" for the defence to bO called whose
.had made its appearance, and Dr. cheque-book and also your cash -information would in any way tend
Hardy, who had been s, unremitting , book.' Ito clear the prisoner, and James
in his attentions to the sufferers, fell : Almost tuecbanically the cashier !Hardy knew that all depended on
at last himself a victim to the dread left the roost,1, and unlocking the safe,' the argument of his counsel. The
' disease. Dr. Hardy was not by any got out the books and returned with first witness for the prosecution wits
means a wealthy man, and barely them to Mr. Wood's- private room. !Richard Wood, his ,evidence being
left sufficient to give his children a A stern look sat on the face of Rich mainly e history oeti. the prisoner as
good education. After their father's 'ard Wood, which augured 111 for his' he knew him, and `tended towards
death, their mother's brother—a con- confidential clerk; as he slowly t showing the good equalities of his
firmed old bachelor :took the child- turned over the duplicate slips of the t clerk and the implicit confidence he
'ren to his own house to live with cheque-book and compared them; placed in him. Dttivid Henderson,
him. At the age of fourteen, young with the entries in the cash-book. I the bank manager, vas next called ;
Hardy, like most boys of his age, The date on the last slip was some he gave his evident in a reluctant
began to have ideas of earning Itis four days previously, and was only . sort of a way, with many covert m-
own living ; and with this end in for a small amount, the largest entry ; sintiations that went far to prove the
View, his uncle placed hit. in the in the book being a thousand dollars; ' guilt of the prisoner in the eyes of
office of Wood & Son. The Woods,
father and son, wore seldom in the
office, Wood, senior,being away most
of the time travclling;in the interests
of the business, while' his son looked
after the experimental work in the
factor:, so that James; Hardy had, as
cashier, practically the control of the
whole business, signing all cheques
and transacting all business in the
absence of the elder Mr. Wood. Be-
tween Jim Hardy and young Wood
an almost brotherly friendship had
arisen, not altogether disinterested
on young Hardy's part, for Richard
Wood, senior, had a pretty daughter,
and something stronger than friend- sir ?' said Mr. Wood. presented the cheques about two
ship drew Jim Hardy towards pretty 'They certainly appear to be,' re- o'clock, he was generally the only
Mabel Wood. Willie not openly plied the cashier. one in the bank at that time, his
frowning on his daughter's attach- 'Appear to be.'.' thundered out the nlerk not having returned from his
ment for his cashier, old Dick Wood, irate chemical manufacturer. 'Man lunch. The clerk, a laid, left the
as he was familiarly called, had alive! do you mean to say you don't bank at two o'clock, fend returned
privately forbidden his daughter to recognize your own writing? Do in about half an hour: The prisoner
encourage the young man's atten- you mean to say that you did not was asked where he 'had spent his
tions. No matter how highly he. write those cheques?' time between leaving ,the restaurant
might think of his cashier in his James Hardy drew himself up and where he got his dinner and his
office capacity and during business looked straight in Ills employer's face; return to the office on the day before
hours, he had other views for his his face was pale and in a steady his arrest. He said he had visited
daughter's future, and had no Wen- voice he said: the Picture Gallery. '
tion of accepting Ins confidential 'I certainly mean to say, sir, that I Were you alone ?
clerk as a son -In-law, more especially neither wrote nor signed those No.
as the manager of the bank in whieh cheques :�' Can you produce 4te person or
itis money was invested was also an 'You didn't, ch 1' sneered Dir, persons who aceotnpaniM you ?
admirer of ids daughter. He saw in Wood; 'then perhaps you'll deny I decline to call theme as wit.
David Henderson, bank manager, a that you presented thein to this nesses,
gentleman for payment ?' • What was the nanie'hf the person
I do deny it,'catnelealmly from you were with ? aske4 the lawyer
James Hardy's lips. 'for the prosecution.
wealthy, and if sole of his trainees: 'Come:now, Bardyou surely I decline to answer " atquestion.
"7; , fy �' a � "'
tions had not been. quite fair, and cion t mean to say that you will deny At this point, a vete was handed
above board, he had the money just beingits the bank yesterday, shortly { tho risoncr's con 1
�, top se . After
the satne; and in the eyes of Dick after two o'clock?' interposed the reading it, he announced that
Wood money was an absolute !teem- bank manager; 'you$inust remember another witness for the defence had
shy. It can be gathered from this the conversation we had regarding eome forward, and begged that .His
And the ri�ttlin�* �s• lyes to hinndtd�tell'rtteve ties younger rival from his
every slip in the cheque-book com- i the jury. It was this witness, the
pared with the cash-book; and was in lawyer for the defence knew, that
connection with the business in which f would'most injure his client's cause,
he was perfectly cognizant. 1-Je l and he exerted himself to his utmost
closed the books and locked them. in ,.to weaken his evidence. But in
a private drawer of his desk. I David Henderson he met his march,
'They appear to be all right, Mr, and no amount of eross-questioning
Hardy; but will you kindly explain:could shake his testimony.' On be -
these cheques, which I notice are not ing asked how it was that he appear -
in your books ?' led to be the only on in the bank
The cashier took the cheques from; who had cashed the lheques present -
his employer's, hand and glanced at . cd by James Hardy; he explained
them. There were six in all, mak-n that, being a branch bank, it only
ing a total of about eight thousand ! required the services of oat: clerk
dollars. I besides himself to transact the bust -
'Are those in your hand -writing, Hess; and as Jamnes Hardy. usually
weethy 1i' amend :far bks only girl,
Even if he was twenty years older
than Mabel, he was undoubtedly
r,
at the,yang people had to meetin that cheque for five thousand dol- t Lordship would permit this evidence
secret, young Dick acting as letter tars?' to be taken, His request was
car:•ier between them. The meet- 'I can only repeat,' said the cashier, granted, and he called Miss Mabel
Ings were necessarily few -.-occasion- 'that, I was not in the bank at all Wood, Miss Wood entered the box.
ally its the evening,, tvlien her father yesterday,. and that I cashed no She saki that on the afternoon in
was away from bane, but oftener cheque for the sum you mention. : question, 'dlr. Ilardy had been with'
during the time ,Tim Hardy left the 'It is enough, sir,' roared; llichard iter, and that they had boat visited ;
' e tt proofs o your the c ere Gallery.
cry.
glee for dinner. to itwas in ime Wood • 'I (told the T f f Pit lI
What time did James Hardy
leave you on that day ? asked the
prosecuting attorney,
About two, o'clock,
Were you in the habit of meeting
the prisoner in the afternoon?
Yes.
Did your father know of these
meetings?
No,
That will do, thank you.
,lames Hardy's fate was sealed, in
the eyes of the jury ---mostly honest
shaple minded farmers ----considered
that any man capable of frequently
l meeting a young lady without the
consent or knowledge of her father,
would be guilty of almost any crime.
Mabel Wood's evidence had done
more to injure the prisoner than that
of any other witness,.
Prisoner's counsel made a brilliant
speech in his defence,. but he could
not disguise the feet that there was
half an hour for whirls James Ii'.ardy
could not account, and it was during
this time that David Henderson had
sworn that the prisoner was at the
hank.. Jitn Hardy bad tried to
screen the girl he loved, 'but instead
of saving her, had given the jnry a
'nest unfavorable opinion of him.
The jury retired, and were absent
nearly three-quarters of an hour. On
their return, the foreman announced
that they unenimously found the
prisoner guilty.
The judge turned to the prisoner.
Young man, he said, you have been
convicted, after a fair trial, of a most
serious charge; you have betrayed
the confidence and faith reposed in
you by your employer. I have,
however, taken into eon'ideration
your previous good conduct and the
representations made on your behalf
by your able counsel, I ' cannot,
however, pass a lighter sentence than
that of five years, with hard labor.
Jim Hardy's face turned very pale
as the judge ceased speaking, but he
did not move a muscle; his clear face
and finely chiseled features betrayed
no emotion; except by their pallor.
As the judge passed his sentence, the
scream of a woman rang through
the crowded courtroom.
Mabel Wood, on hearing the sen-
tence, had uttered one scream and
fainted, and the last glimpse James
Hardy caught of his sweetheart was
one that filled him with pain, as he
saw her pale face and apparently
lifeless body carried out of court. He
bad no time, however, to look long,
as a couple of stalwart officers ap-
proached to conduct him back to his
cell; his lawyer shook hands with
him, and James Hardy was led out
of court with the sound of the girl's
scream still ringing in his ears,
' David Henderson bad accomplish-
ed his purpose; his plan had worked
even better than he ;;had expected,
and a cruel smile played upon his
mouth as he left the court. His
rival was safely out of the way for
five years, at least," True, Mabel did
not love him, he soliloquized; but
1 then, perhaps, by her father's per-
' suasion, and his awn pleading, site
might be brought to do so. That
evening he dined with Mr. Wood
and his sou. Mabel did not appear
at dinner, being stili indisposed, The
bank manager talked most agree-
ably during the meal, and when the
subject of the .late •cashier's defal-
cation was touched on, he sympa-
thized deeply with' the poor, mis-
guided young man, .David Hender-
son had overshot the • mark, and bad
left out of his reckoning the nature
of the girl he had to deal with. For
a year and a half he paid his atten-
tions to Mabel Wood, but she quietly
and firmly, repelled them all. Her
father argued and threatened,but all
in vain, until, at last, his death put a
stop to the almost •daily nagging at
itis daughter.
Young Dick Wood, on his father's
death, assumed the whole control of
the factory. One, of his first acts
was to transfer his`business accounts
to another bank; the next was to for-
bid David Henderson's visit to bis
house. He evidetitiy disliked the
bank manager; bat during his
father's lifetime his hands had, in a
measure, been tied. t David Hender-
son cursed the man lee bad sent to
prison, for the place he. held in the
heart of the girl that to himself had
failed to win and scare to be further
then
avenged on him, and for that per.
pose he turned Itis attentions to the
sister of tate man he had so success-
fully ruined. Jessie Hardy was a
year younger than her brother, and
his disgrace had been a great blow
to her --she haci fairly idolized ltitn.
The wily bank manager knew this,'
and used his knowledge to pick the
lock of the girl's heart. Ile sympa-
thized with her,, be praised her
brothel', deplored the mistake he had
made, and finally promised that if
she would marry him„ he would try
and effect her brother's release froth
prison.. She accepted, him; then he
stipulated that the marriage should
be a secret one, Tile pure mind of
the girl recoiled from this suggestion
but to save her brother she cement-
ed. She- secretly left her nuele's
house one evening to marry David
Henderson, and he conducted her to
a place where he had a mock mar-
riage performed, and their took her
to a; email ;louse in the quiet part of
the city. The poor girl did not for
a moment suspect any treachery,
but believed that she was legally
married to tite than wile professed
to love her, and that he would faith-
, fully carry out all his promises. For
a year and a few mantes he kept up
the deeeption,, putting• her off from
time to time, when she questioned
him as to the probable date of her
brother's release. One morning, as
they sat at breakfast. she questioned
bine rather more closely as to his
ability to effect her brother's release..
He burst into a hard, coarse laugh,
and then told ter, his passion rising
with every word he uttered, how be
bated her brother; how her marriage
was no marriage at all, but only a
sham; how he had tired of her, for
her relationship to her brother, and
intended to leave her. So this was
the end of her day -dream. Her
head reeled, and she sank fainting
to the floor. When she recovered
the pian who had betrayed her had
left the house; she did not try to
follow hits to the bank; she knew
only too well that it would be use-
Iess. For four months she continued
to live in the same place, and then
she decided to move into lodgings,
and find some suitable work till her
brother's release. She decided to
leave the furniture, and everything
that had been provided by Daviel
Henderson, as it was, and let the
landlord of the property communi-
cate with hien about it. In packing
up her things she carte across an old
coat that belonged to the man she
had called husband. In orte of the
poekets she found a long, thin, worn
pocket -book; she opened it. It. con-
tained papers; mechanically she
looked over one after another, till
her eye was arrested by the sight of
her brother's name, written not once
only, but many times on the sheet of
paper. Yes, it was her brother's
writing.. She laid it down and open-
ed the next paper;. it also bore her
brother's signature, but the writing
was slightly different. What could
it mean ? Why 'had David Hender-
son these papers in his possession ?
And why had he carefully kept
them ? She put the pocket -book
away and sat down to think it over.
A light began to. dawn upon her.
David Henderson 'hated' her brother
and he 'hated' her, A elan who
tvould commit one Brim: would com-
mit another. Was it possible that
be had name forged her brother's
gto
those Cheques? Yes, she decided he
had, What would she do now? She
thought feraa while, and then made
up her mind; she would go to her
brothor'safricnd, show Mtn the paper;
and ask..his advice. It was growing
dark, hut she quickly dressed her-
self and hurried to the house of
Richard Wood, She was shown into
' the library, Three:, years had not
made melt difference in the young
man. Ile received her kindly. Ile
knew of her disappearance from
home, but was not aware with
whom she had gone. She told him
the whole story, and then handed
hhn the papers with her brother's
signature. He .looked at then.
The scoundrel, he said --the black -
hearted •scoundrel.. Your brother
will be released from prison the day
after to -morrow; two years have been
taken off his sentence for good con-
duct, You bad better stay here till
he returns; my sister will be glad to
have you with her.
James Hardy was free once more.
As he stepped out of the prison be
drew a long breath, It was summer
time, and the air all around him was
fresh and sweet. Yes, it was good
to be free once more ; free to take a
place among his fellowmen and try
to regain his lost mane. Suddenly a
band was laid on his shoulder.
'Jim, old man!'
`Diets, is it really you? I knew
you wouldn't forget ate.'
'Forget you P No, indeed. Get
into the carriage, it is waiting for US
J
here, and conte home with me,'
'But your father, Dick P'
'Oh, yes! I forgot. Of course you
have not heard, The governor died
more thaw a year ago, so you e
n0t rtt3fbu
fzoa1thim.; a
be-
sides,
sides, oursister is stopping;; at our
piece ; and there is such au let to tell
You'
Joyful' was the meetings between
brother and! sister ; and no less 80
was that between Mabel. Wood and
her Io%°er;.e'wsn if somewhat more
shyly expressed.
'Jim,' said Dick Wood, 'I always
said you were innocent, 'although
you couidt not prove it ;. now I know
it for a fact„ and hold the proofs of
it,'
'What do you mean, I)lele?''
'Look at•those, Jim, le that your
writing?'.
'It loops like it,' Balch an.
'Mate aye, don't you know your
own writing i' said Diek,, imitating
his father`s voice ; 'isn't that what
the• gover nor said to you ? It isn't
your wr'i'ting•,. titoughl. ass I wilt show
you:. Now look at this; and he
handed to the astonished .Jim hardy
the other paper, in whiuit his sign»,
tui.'e was not so well copied.
'S'That does it meats;. Dick ; I can't
understand it yet ?'
'Mean l Why, it means that that.
is. David Ilenclerson's writing, and.
that oat of sheer spite, he forged:
your name to those cheques, and ap-
propriated the money lliinself. It is.
a long story, but we have trine to.
tell it before dinner, and then we'll!
go and make the scoundrel confess;
his guilt.'
Richard Wood briefly narrated the,
whole story, ineluding the bank
manager's cruel; treatment 'of his•
sister Jessie. It was a happy party
that sat down to dinner; their
troubles all forgotten in their new-
found happiness. After dinner, the
two friends went to the bank and,
requested to see the manager, They
were shown into Itis private office,
He started at seeing James Hardy,
but quickly recovered himself
'Well, gentlemen, what can I do
for you?' he said, quite pleasantly.
'We have caIled,' said James
Hardy, 'for the purpose of making
you confess your . guilt, and my in-
nocenee, of the crime of which you
have falsely accused me.'
David Henderson's face turned and
ashy white, and then lihid with,
rage.
'Anel if I refuse,' he said. • • .
'You cannot, for I hold the proof
of your guilt, left behind you when
you treacherously left my sister,.
after you had ruined. and blighted
her life, as you slid mine. Write
out a fail confession of your crime, 1
say, or,I'1l blow your brains out
where you sit ;' and James IIardy
drew out a revolver (lent Kirit by
his friend, in case the hank Manager
should show fight), and levelled it at
the banker's head. With a tremb-
ling hand be wrote, while James
Hardy dictated his confession. zv hen .
he bad finished it the cashier took
the document, read it over, fielded it
up, and put it in his pocket.
'And ;tow, Mr. Henderson, we will
wish you good -day ; and when we
meet again, you will be the prisoner.
and I the witness.'
They left the bank and walked to
the police station, where they laid
their charge against David Hender-
son, Whets the police officers are
rived at the bank the manager bad
left, and on going to his house, found
it all in confusion. They were told
by the terrified servants that their
master had just conte home and shot
himself. They found the statement
true. Lying across his bed. they,
found the lifeless form of Mr, Ilen-
derson, with a bullet wound in his
temple. Next morning, on opening
the newspaper, Dick Wood saw the
announcement of the suicide of the
unfortunate man, and read it (doled.
For monteut or two deep silence
reigned, and then the voice of James
Hardy broke the stillness;
'He has met his just reward by
his own hands!'
Richard Wood took his friend into
partnership with him ; and after the
necessary steps • had been taken to
establish his innocence in the eyes of
the law, Janice }lardy was married
to Mabel Wood. It wary a quiet
affair and they still continued to live
in the same house with Dick, ,Jessie
Hardy making her home with them.
Although they have been married at
good number of years, fiittee the day
of his death neither Mabel or her
husband have ever mentioned the
name of his I>A:vot1f otrk RIVAL,
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