The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-10
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
{ For Additional city Intelligence see Third Page

[ For additional city Intelligence see Third Page.
A MORNING AT THE STATION HOUSE,
Pope has said that 'the proper study of man
kind Is man." and indeed a close investigation
into the motives Of action OF others and accurate
observation OF their general characteristics is a
most profitable study. 1t gives such an insight
into the workings OF human society as cannot,
II well applied, but be of an advantage TO us in
our relations to our fellows. One OF the saddest
and most pititu sights is the hearing 'of the
criminals at our Police Courts. Here in the
morning, before the Committing Magistrate may
be seen all classes OF offenders, from the case of
vacranCy or drunkenness up to the brutal MUIR
deTer.
One hearing viii serve as a sample of all.
Early in the morning; say about half past six,
we go down into the basement of the Station
House, and find the dgnGed Alderman has
already taken his place at his desk. AT his side
are seated the lieutenant of the district and his
sergeant The portly, good-natured turnkey is
Dotihed to bring forward the first case. He is
brought before the bar, behind which the justice
sits.
The complainant is sworn, and gives his testi-
mony. The prisoner is rather Il good.looking
young man, well dressed, and sports delicate
moustache He is rather out OF place here.
Judging from his effects, he must be ladies'
man, as he has, among the other treasurers, kept
in safe keeping, stylish gold locket which no
doubt is intended for the idol OF his affections.
He is up on the charge OF getting Jolly drunk
and max ing desperate efforts to commit an
assault and battery on a locomotive OF the Penn
svlvania Railroad, while in motion As he
gathers his treasures together. alter paying his
hne and costs, he says, ut will be alter to-day
when l am caught drunk again."
Next" is calculated by the magistrate, and a
young scape-grace is ushered on the scene. He
is not over ten or twelve years OF age, bus vice
has alrt ady began to set its seal on him. He Is
"waudering Arab" and makes his bed on the
streets. sharp, cruel-eyed woman is present
and claims bin as her own. The Alderman
dismisses the boy, and the mother takes charge
of him with a meaning glance that spoke
volumes, as she went out of the door with him.
Poor boy, sad commencement for start in
life!
man, shaking and trembling with the effects OF
drinking and dissipation. He had been taken
up on the streets IN fearful state. His eyes
bloodsbot and blinking, his fingers working
spasmOdically, ami the muscles of his mouth
and face twitching cOuvul5ively, made a sad
picture He was triendle!s, moneyless, and
utterly broken. The relics of a strong man
hood, what terrible object he presented at
that bar AS he was returned to the cell, his
face glared through the small square opening in
the door like that OF some spirit damned"
every feature quivering and shaking under the
influence OF the tremens.
Another wretcbed picture of mans brutality
is the next that appears. young man with
lowering brow and cruel lips bearded aud
moustacbed, is brought out At first he glares
around defiant and curse is on his lips but
meeting nothing but the calm, steady gaze OF
the officials around him. he lets his eyes fail
abashed. By nis side is a red eyed shame-iaced
woman, who is his wife. He is charged
with shamelully beating her. The evidence is
clear. Both were drunk. With a fatering
voice and trembling lips she tries to eXtenuate
the bIutes offense. Even IN her DEGRADATION
she shows some womanly traits of compassion,
and desire 10 forgive.
But the scene is changed new character is
ushered forth He is announced as the Crazy
Dutchman.n Imagine a strongly built fellow,
with a dirty, black misshapen sOuch hat
covering his tangled unkempt locks. His face
exhibiting in Its animal grossness no traces o
intellect or soap, lack-lustre eyes and fearful
mouth; his ragged coat hanging in shreds and
hls dirty shirt open at the top, exposing his
broad brawny, and hairy breast, he would have
been an object of painful interest if he were 8
mute. But when he opened his mouth! What
a storm, what torrent OF uncouth, incoherent
incomprehensble gibbersh, and wild, savagely
earnest gestures The Alderman looked at him
with utter beWilderment for awhile, and then
finding he was utterly ''incomprehensible," sem
him back to his cell.
So the scenes change. Here may be seen the
bleareyed drunkard with aching head anC
burning lips, the homeless, ragged vagrant
the shameless courtesan. and every variety o.
culprits, old and young, and OF either sex
II is sad but instructive scene, and show
how bad training and bad influences bring tt
rack and ruin all the better impulses OF human
nature.