What kind of a man were you?
Well, I don't like to talk about myself. I suppose you can tell by
looking at your books.
No sir. You must tell what kind of a man you were.
Well, I was what you might call a first-rate fellow. I loved my wife and
children. My home was my heaven. My fireside was a paradise to me. To
sit there and see the lights and shadows fall upon the faces of those I
loved, was to me a perfect joy.
How did you treat your family?
I never said an unkind word. I never caused my wife, nor one of my
children, a moment's pain.
Did you pay your debts?
I did not owe a dollar when I died, and left enough to pay my funeral
expenses, and to keep the fierce wolf of want from the door of those I
loved.
Did you belong to any church?
No sir. They were too narrow, pinched and bigoted for me, I never
thought that I could be very happy if other folks were damned.
Did you believe in eternal punishment?
Well, no. I always thought that God could get his revenge in far less
time.
Did you believe the rib story?
Do you mean the Adam and Eve business?
Yes! Did you believe that?
To tell you the God's truth, that was just a little more than I could
swallow.
Away with him to hell!
Next!
Where are you from? I am from the world too.
Did you belong to any church?
Yes sir, and to the Young Men's Christian Association besides.
What was your business?
Cashier in a Savings Bank.
Did you ever run away with any money?
Where I came from, a witness could not be compelled to criminate
himself.
The law is different here. Answer the question. Did you run away with
any money?
Yes sir.
How much?
One hundred thousand dollars.
Did you take anything else with you?
Yes sir.
Well, what else?