The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-12-26
JOHN AUGUsTUss LABoRs.

On Saturday evening, the reporters attached |
to the Boston Press called on Mr.. John Angus
tus at his house in Chambers street, and enjoyed
a social chat with this philanthropic gentleman,
to whom most of them are warmly attached III
bonds OF friendship. In course OF the evening
Mr.. Augustus exhibited to them his ''docket' OF
persons he has cared for personally within the
last seven years. 1t is strip of paper over %
feet long, covered with names and statistics
From this docket, and what was gathered in the
course OF the evenings conversation, we have
prepared the following account
About seven years ago. wishing to test the
efficacy OF moral suasion, he offered himself in
the Police Court as security for man found gull
ty OF being common drunkard. His surety was
accepted, and he took the man into his charge,
watched over him, advised with him, and con-
WINGED the man of the error of his course in
short, he reformed him. When the time for
which Mr.. Augustus was security for the man
had expired, he reported his behavior to the court
aud the justice ordered mol pros, on the payment
OF one cent and costs OF prosecution. Mr.. Au-
gustus paid the demand, and the man has ever
since remained a sober, industrious citizen. His
success in this instance tempted him TO further
exertions, and he has gone on from that day to
this.
His labors in the Police Court for the seven
years ending in October last, so far as an idea
tHOICoi Sdh NC COhNeyGu ny luG means vi LSuF5SS
may be summed up as follows He has baiIed
1853 males end l49 females, most or all of them
convicted common drunkards. The total
amount OF bail in these cases was $15,320. On
good report OF their conduct being made to the
Court, 440 of the persons bailed by Mr.. Augustus
were discharged on the payment of one cent
each and the costs of prosecution, amounting al
together TO the sum of $3.50, the whole of which
was paid by him. Not one of the persons bail
nd bay H. AZ Il
posed an them, but all appeared promptly on the
day specified.
II is five years since Mr.. Augustus extended
his labors to the Municipal Court, and during
this period he has bailed l59 males and one 1873
females. Total amount of bail $42, $50. A con-
siderable number of the persons baed in this
Court were vagrant boys, indicted for larcenies.
He provided these homeless youths with good
situations, and most of them give good promise of
being worthy men. Some are at trades in the
city, and some have been placed on farms in the
country. One person, female for whom Mr.
Augustus was surety, missing on the day
mentioned in the TecogniZance, and he had to
pay $780, the sum for which he was security;
but this rs a solitary instance. In the Municipal
Court he has bailed all classes of offenders. He
has bailed number Of persons who were volat-
ors OF the license laws, and the most OF them have
ceased their traffic in ardent spirits
During the first months of his labor, Mr. Au-
gustus acted as the agent of the Washingtonian
Society, but since then he has labored alone
He has saved some money 70 the Commonwealth
too. The usual sentence of persons convicted as
common drunkards is imprisonment in the House
of CORE cdon, and the officers fees for carving
them from the Court House to the prison is IS
cents each. This expense is of course saved
when they are bailed by Mr.. Augustus. In fact
the Golfers of the State are enriched TO the amount
OF 1891 by his exertions in behalf OF the Inebri-
ates. Benevolent individuals who have watched
the course OF Mr.. Augustus, aid him with their
purse, for be it known he is a poor man.
The statistics given above are better proof of
Mr.. Augustus many good deeds than any thing
we could write. He engages in his work OF
mercy with diligence, perseverance and energy,
and those who best know him are his warmest
triends-the best possible proof of his worth.
Boston Times