The Evening critic., 1881-07-27
THE EVENING CRITIC.

AOtO3ls ISOS.
-------------l-----
CHE KETcHED ON"
A Sympathetic Appeal Goes Right "a
SMELLS Heart.
Barton, the veteran bailiff, tipped his
chair back this morning and surveyed the
motley assemblage of prisoners in the dock
with, apparently keen relish. 1t was Q
full dock, and Indicative of busy day. AS
he sat and surveyed his proteges, the old
man moralized mentally. II was hard
looking set. Perhaps tho worst lot ever
gathered in by the minions Of the law
There was one beardless YOUTH though, who
stood apart from the rest, whose haggard
and worn features caught the old mans at
tention. He seemed to be lad who had
known better days. His clothing was soiled
and there was everything to show that bt
had been on most reckless spree. Strucl,
particularly by the sad and weary look In
the youths eyes, Barton approached him
softly and said
Been ON q bender, sonny?"
Yes, and large sized one, too. Is there
no way TO get out of this ?"
None that knows on, unless yer kin
strike q tender chord in the breast of the
old man when yer case comes up. / he,
seed fellers hero who. played Their sympa
thetic racket successfully, and If yer kin
ketch on, yerll be fixed"
"I'll try It," said the lad, and later
when his case was called he squared him
self, and said
Drunk again did yer ask me7
Well, yer homer, shed smile;
Drunl',er than a tinker's apprentice,
And hev been SO lengthy while.
I've trouble ana good reason
Fur gittin' on this spree,
And yer Homer will believe It
If yer'll only listen to me.
A year ago i was married,
In tho bright sweet days Of June,
When roses was u.buddin
Ipassed my honey moon.
My wife, n tender creature,
WIS lovin', bright ana fair.
With O smile and grace about her,
And u wealth of golden hair.
She loved me, Jedge, recken,
But before six months was gone,
* to th Which, SSs could sot on
Day after day watched her,
Hour after hour worked,
And hoped that my dame was true to me,
thought twas no use to chfde her,
Nor let her think believed
That she was driftin' away from me,
And that had been deceived.
But, Jcdge, 1t warnt no use, sir,
She disappeared one night;
And l then set out to seek her.
Though, perhaps, wasn't tight.
amt found her yet, yer Honor;
Perhaps never viii X;
But I'll continue to hunt Ter up;
For I'm loyal to her still.
She went, yer sec, with lover,
handsomer man than me.
And they say that they hev gone
To some point beyond the sea.
I'm no drinker, nor q topper,
But IL am tight to-day,
Its simply cause have lost my loye,
And drink to drive care away. ~
Some day perhaps I'll sec her,
Perhaps spark of regret
VIII enter her breast, yer Honor,
And recall days she could never forget;
And maybe she'll come back to me,
And lay her bright head on my arm,
Where oft 1t has lain in days gone by,
And ask to be shielded from harm.
VIII take her back? Why do you ask?
or course VIII, yer Honor;
And live over again those happy days
When showered my love upon her.
I'll take her back and seek home.
In some far distant spot,
Ard the past will be forgot
Don't send me up, yer Honor;
2 Let me go to seek my lass.
Have pity on me please, sur,
And my offense, Oh, Judge, do pass.
I'll go into the world again,
I'll take no more to drink,
But follow her up will. Judge,
Even to the shadowy brink
OF death and the great hereafter:
And If fail to get her,
I'll forgive the pain she's given me,
And pray that she may do better.
The youth sank back into silence ani
the Court plucked a tear from his eye, ant
believing his story, let the man go. The
prisoner left the court room slowly, but q:
he passed out of the door, he remarked tt
Barton with wink: ~ ketched ON pard
and don't you fOrgit it,"