The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-14
PITiFUL SeEsE IN A COURT ROOF
Father Asks Judge Duff for tho Com.
mitment of q 43-year-oId Son.
Vol C,-v,

Father Asks Judge Duff for tho Com.
mitment of q 43-year-old 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
"a straight as an arrow. He had the
Roman features, the flashing gray
eyes. and the rudy complexion Of
Msjor George w. McLesn and other
veterans of the Old Guard. He held a
silk hat in his left hand and his attire was
faultless. A smaller man, made premature
ly old by dissipation, stood 81 his side. His
clothes were shabby, and he 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 apprehensive, and he moistened his
lips with his tongue as ne pleaded with the
white haired gentleman. Judge" said the
Roman-faced veteran in q courtly manner,
Il wish you would commit my son to the
Island. He Ia hopeless drunkard. 1t is
ny only hope for his reformation"
Father, Oh, father" exclaimed the man
at bis side, in accents of grief, mot this time
not this time! Please give me one more
chsnce."
There were tears in his eyes. The old man
was as immovsble as n statue. He kept his
eyes fixed on the Judge. 10 terms cold and
almost pitiless he urged the Judge to send
bis son TO the workhouss.
Don't listen to him, Judge" said the
Younger man. HE don't mesn it-oh. I'm
sure he don't mean it. Father doesn't know
what he is saying"
"Be quiet" said the Judge. 1--WE will
bear you in due season. Old age msst have
the preference. Gray hairs must be re-
spected."
In set terms the stern veteran sgsin urged
Af,, ,t.A 80 IL
IDENTIFY steeied his nerves before entering
court and be was as firm IS rcck. Not for
an in slant however, would hs trust bis eyes
to look on his son. Though deaf to his
eptresty, the sight OF his boys misery might
soften bis heart.
"Are you this gentienan's son?' asked
Judge Duffy OF the younger man.
He is my father, Judge" was the reply
after the feverish lips he'd again been moist
ened.
How old are your" the judge inquired.
"Forty-three years" was the almost ina i'd
ible answer.
"Forty.three years." exclaimed the Judge
in q tone of surprise. rs it possible? Dis
sipation has made yon prematurely old.
You are older in appearance than your
father" Then turning 10 the father. he
asked: For how long time do you want
your son committed
TIE cd man was stone He had not taken
his eyes from the Judge. For one year." lie
replied in an impassive tone.
oh father" broke in the son in 8 thin.
trsmulous voice. For Gods sake don't
make 1t year. Give me three m onths I'll
try and be satisfied with three-not more.
Please, Judge" turning to the bench 49,
pealingly, maze it three months. Here's
Mr.. Mnneirre here" pointing 70 gentle
man resembling Ben Franklin, who stood in
the background, he'll say o good word for
me"
The father was obdurate. The son pleaded
70 strenuously that even ths heart of ths
Judge Was touched. 81 might make il nine
months" he said, with an observan. 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 it six Oh
Judge, make 1t six months. I'll take six
months willingly, but not twelve"
1T 10 the Judges duty to fix the term OF
| imprisonment" the Police Justics sternly
said. "You must remember that.