The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-21
PITIFUL StENE IN COURT ROOM
a Father Asks Judge Duffy for the Com.
mitment of 8 43-year-OId Son.
New York SUM-

a Father Asks Judge Duffy for the Com.
mitment of 43-year-oId Son.
New York SUM-
A venerable man. bald and hearty, stood
before Justice Duffy at the Jefferson Market
Police Court yesterday afternoon. Although
the SHOWS of nearly seventy winters had
whitened his head and moustaches, he was
as straight as an arrow. He had the
Roman features, the flashing gray
eyes, and the rudy complexion of
Major George W. McLesn and other
veterans of the Old Guard. He held a
silk hat in his left hand and his attire vas
fsultlees- A smaller man, made prematur
ly old By dissipation, stood at his side. His
clothes were shabby, and be twirled his
frosted moustache with tremulous fingers
His hollow eyes had feverish luster, and
there were deep lines in his face. His man
ner was apDrehensive, and he moistened his
lips with his tongue as he pleaded with the
white haired gentleman. Judge" said the
Roman-faced veteran IN courtly manner,
Il wish you would commit my son to the
Island. He Is hopeless drunkard. 1t is
my only hope for his reformation"
Father, oh, fatherl" exclaimed the man
at his side, in accents of grief, mot this time
mot this timei Please give me one more
chance"
There were tears in hiseyes. The old man
was IS immovabls as q statue. He kept his
eyes fixed on the Judge. In terms cold and
almost pitiless he urged the Judge to send
his son 70 the workhouse.
Don't listen to him, Judge" said the
younger man. HE don't mean it-oh I'm
sure be don't mean it. Father doesn't know
what he Is saying"
'Be quiet" said the Judge. 1--WE will
hear you in due season. Old age must have
the preference. Gray hairs must be- re-
spected."
In set terms the stern veteran again urged
- II l.
IDENTIFY steeled ms nerves before entering
court and he WAS al firm as a rock. Not for
an instant however, would he trust his ewes
to look on bic son. Though deaf TO his
entreaty, the eight OF his boys misery might
soften his heart
'Are you this gentieman's sonS' asked
Judge Duffy OF the younger man.
'He lie my father, Judge" was the reply
after the feverish lips bad again been moist
eDed.
"How old are your" the Judge inquired.
"Forty-three years" was the almost maud
IDLE answer.
"Forty-tbree years." exclaimed the Judge
IN q tone OF surprise. Is il possible? Dis.
sipation has made you premsturely old.
You are older in appearance than your
father" Then turning to the father, he
asked: "For how long time do you want
your son committedY'
The old man was stone. He had not taken
us TIC uuRcs OAc year. Nc
replied in an impassiYs tone.
'0h father" broke in the son in thin,
tremulous voice. For God's sake don't
make il year. Give me three M ntbs. I'll
try and be satisfied with three-not more.
Please Judge" turning to the bench sp-
peaIingly, "msKe il three months. Here's
Mr.. Manelrre here" pointing 10 gentle
man resembling Ben Franklin, who stood in
the background. he'll say good word for
me-"
The father was obdurste, The son pleade
so strenuously that even the heart of the
Judge wes touched. 81 might make IL nine
months, he said, with an observant look at
the old man.
Twelve months" said the old man, de-
spite the sobbing of the degraded son.
Father" the son cried, mot twelve, II
you ever loved me. Make IL ak. Oh,
Judge, make IL six months. I'll take six
months Willingly bat not twelve"
1t is the Judges duty to fix the term OF
imprisonment" the Police Justice sternly
said. "You must remember that.
| give you both five months, and IL you be
have yourself Pn let you OF before thai
time"
''Thsnk, you. Judge" the younger man
sobbed. "You have treated me better thar
1 deserved"
He turped toward his father. but the iron
| willed parent had abandoned him. and va