Troy High School - Trojan Yearbook (Troy, NH)

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I S 4 1 ! f v r v 4 r 1 L w 2 + L L A - I I I M E F I

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55 Society Goes To Jail Shirley Abare '45 NHello operator--give me the D.A.'s office, Hello--D.A.? This is Kelley. I'm at the Van Astor home. Some friend, or should L say former friend of theirs has just stolen a necklace from Mrs. Van Astor. It's the same dame who has been stealing all of those jewels lately or I miss my guess. The way I see it, chief, she is ' one of these society dames who goes around stealing from her hostesses while a guest at their home. I've got everybody rounded up in the library chief, so hurry over. Be expecting you--bye.' Upon hearing the news the D.A. slammed the phone upon the hook and ran his hand over his face muttering swear words under his breath--if this was another wild goose chase-. Up until this time Walter Nelson, District Attorney, had had a very successful career as he was a brillant and determined man. He had risen to this office through hard work ani study. He was just as successful in private life as in public. Married to a woman of high standing with whom he was very much in love, his home and family were ideal. Now just at ' reappointment time this law-breaker, who he must admit, was very clever, had the whole force laughing at him. Several times under his very nose a robbery had been committed and no clues found. ' After thinking the case over, Nelson quickly rose from his chair, grabbed his hat, jammed it on his head and ran to the police car at the curb. The speedometer showed 60 m.p.h. when Nelson thought of his tires and slowed down to 40. with squealing brakes the car came to a hlat in front of the broad and massive Van Astor mansion. UPhewn-whistled the chief through his teeth-uquite a place she has here. with a determined step he made his way to the door, firmly rapped the knocker on the door and was admitted by an excited Kelley, who explained that the butler was in the library with the rest of the group. - As thev entered the beautiful library with its million shelves of beautifully bound, morocco-covered books, they heard U16 hysterical weeping of Mrs. Van Astor, and between her outbursts she was saying incoherently, UNo, it couldn't be Miss Van Snoot. Why, after all I have done for her, and she was my best friend. She wouldn't steal anything. Ohhh, I cann't believe itn Here she would burst into a fresh stream of tears. As the D.A. regarded the weeping woman, he thought of the words he had said to himself about the mansion being broad and massive, for no words could better suit the description of Mrs. Van Astor. This society woman had been a widow for ten years living luxuriously on the money that her late husband had left her. Being childless, she filled her house with several friends to keep from being alone. Loneliness was the one thing in the world which she. feared. About four years ego she had taken under her roof a young woman who had been found wandering in the streets, and had given her every advantage of wealth for the sole idea of having a youthful companion. She had bestowed the high toned name of Ellyn Van Snoot upon this individual and they had lived in close harmony for the , last four years. Now this young woman was accused of being a thief. No wonder that Mrs. Van Astor was upset when she stopped and thought of howungrateful the girl had been. Miss Ellyn Van Snoot had all this time been silently weeping into her handkerchief and denying that she was a thief.

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34 nBelieve me'Mr. District Attorney, after all Mrs. Van Astor has done for me, does it seem reasonable that I would repay her by stealing her diamond necklace?n X Nelson, as he was studying this pretty young woman was thinking that she hardly looked like a jewel thief. nhight as well start things rolling,n thought the D.A. and said aloud, nI'm going to ask a few questions now, and I want the answers straight and true. Now, look here, Mrs. Van Astor, control yourself and tell me just what happened tonight.n Jolted out of her weeping by the blunt tone of the D.A.'s voice she looked questioningly at him: . USuppose you tell me just what has happened tonight in our own words. y NYes, Mr. D.A.,u wailed the society woman. Uwe had just sat down to eat when I noticed that my beautiful diamond necklace had vanished. Of course, I had no idea that it had been stolen, but I thought that perhaps the clasp had broken so I told overyone to help me look for it. We searched high and low, but couldn't find it, so I decided to cali the policef' nYes, yes, go on, impatiently urged Nelson. nwell, when the police arrived my guests were all put through the embarrasing position of being searched. And, then, then my necklace was found in the pocketbook of Miss Van Snoot.n For the first time since entering the room the D. A. took special notice of the other guests. They were scattered about the room acting thoroughly bored with themselves and the whole situation. There were eight, all lavishly dressed in evening clothes. .WAny ommissions or corrections to add to the story?n asked Nelson. The guests nodded their heads as if they wished the whole unpleasent episode were ended ani they could go home. I A The D. A. took Kelly aside and whispered to him, nHave you searched Ellyn's room yet?h 'No, chief, I thought I'd wait until you got here.n UO.K. get her, and we'll go up. You know, really, there is something queer here. It doesn't seem probable that she could rob in other homes yet here in her own home, she gets caught. Hm-yes indeed-very queer. The searching was complete and on the table were the Hillcrest pearls, a pair of sparkling diamond ear-rings and a blood red ruby ring discovered from various hiding places. nwell, Miss Van Snoot,U sarcastically utterd Kelly, HI guppose vou're going to say that you don't know anything about these ewe s. nBut that's just part of it,n anxiously retorted Ellyn, I donst know where they came from or how they got there. Oh, I'm so mixed up nwell, we'll have to book you on suspicion, but don't worry too much, Miss. I have an idea you're innocent, but, it needs a little investigation, so if I can prove you're not guilty would you rather stay in the big brig for a couple of days so the guilty person will feel secure than to stay in jail for the rest of your life?n WNaturallyTdrily murmured Ellyn. The trio descended die stairs, dismissing the group from the library and booked Miss Van Snoot on the suspicion of robbery, After leaving Ellyn silently weep- ing in a jail cell, Nelson made hfs way to the newspaper files, and burned the midnight oil until he grunted with satisfaction. UOh, here it is, ho-hum,n he murmured, Uit's been an exciting and eventful day all right., Well, there will be another arrest tomorrow morning, and I have a hunch that this time the guilty party will occupy the cell.N