how to write a court story, described me as "Sohn einer sogennanten Herzogin." He only laughed when I spoke to him about it. "How should I know," he said sceptically....
Boyde came up in due course before Recorder Smythe in general sessions, the most severe and most dreaded of all the judges. He still wore my thick suit, he wore also a pair of Harding Davis's boots, and, I believe, something else of Sothern's. His sentence was two years in the Penitentiary on Blackwell Island. A group of other people he had swindled, including "Artist Palmer," were in court; so was an assistant of Ikey's, with all our pawned articles. Every single thing, whether stolen goods or not, was returned to me. The doctor and Kay were also there. Some of his letters are a human document:
Tombs,
December, 1892.Oh, Blackwood, what black treachery I returned you for your many kindnesses, base lying for all your straightforward dealing with me! You freely forgave me what ninety-nine men out of every hundred would, if not imprisoned me for, certainly never have forgiven me. I returned evil for good, and you still bore with me. You said--I shall never forget it, for it was when you found the stamp torn off your letter--and even at that moment I had money in my pocket belonging to you, just as I had when you shared your last 50 cent. piece that night at Krisches, for I must say this, though I could tear myself to pieces when I think of it--You said, 'B. how you must hate me!'
No, Blackwood, it seems a paradox, but I could not hate you if I tried to. I don't say this because I am in prison, or with any desire to flatter. I am sincere in everything I say and it comes from my heart. You have every reason to think from my former actions that I am not sincere above reward, but I am.
Oh, the old, but nevertheless true remark, TOO LATE! It comes home to me with striking and horrible vividness. Too Late! I have forfeited the respect of every good and honest man, have disgraced my English name and my family. But, let me go. Five years of service will be the best thing for me. I can enlist under another name and may perhaps get a commission in time. Give me the chance of redeeming myself, please. If ever any man was sincerely repentant for the past I am that
man.
Arthur B.
Please excuse mistakes and alterations. I am so fearfully shaky.
