The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-08-12
FROM A CONNECTS VIEW.
An outcast Tells of Unsuccessful Effort
to Lead an Honorable Life.

An outcast Tells of Unsuccessful Efforts
to Lead an Honorable Life.
Among a number Of depraved looking
/ characters who were arraigned in the
/ Tombs police court for sentence on vari-
I Gus charges, from burglary TO felonious
assault, noticed particularly one refined
I looking young fellow who. despite his
ragged attire. appeared 10 be out Of place
IN the prisoners pen
His features were delicate and clearly
defined, with none of the sullen, servils
appearance that is usually one Of the
CHIEF characteristics of a criminals coun-
tenance. His eyes were large and clear.
his forehead high, while his chin and
mouth denoted high spirit and an alb
normally sensitive disposition
He occupied a seat as far distant from
his fellow unfortunates in crime as
the burly court officers would permit
His eyes were cast on the floor, and from
his detected appearance it wGs obvious
that ne felt keenly his position.
i engaged him In conversation, and
years will not remove from memory the
ierce bitterness with which he reviewed
his unsuccessful attempts 10 secure hon.
orable employment after the first eonvic-
ton for some trfiing crime.
my name" said be, in answer to my
question, what do YOU want with III
To publish 1t so that those who have
sent me here this time viii know how
well their prejudice did its work?
"Well Thomas VIII 30 - Charles
Thomas That IS what / am called now.
it is not my real name. have few
relatives and | respect them They have
moved from where they lived when |
was first sent away-Couo 10 a new
home to escape my shame-that is why
I'm Thomas"
There Is no criminal 50 hardened but
what he win cherish somewhere behind
his rough exterior tender thought of a
past associauon-a friend, perhaps, OF
probably a sister For that reason when
Thomas turned away his head l remain
cd silent. | thought / distinguished =
suspicious moisture in his eyes, but |
may have been mistaken.
at Is very easy 70 start, he continued.
"but once started you cannot stop. Peo-
pie viii not let You.
with a crowd Of companions one day
| drank more than / could stand. 4
quarrel followed and | stabbed one fel-
low with my penknife was arrested
tried and convicted and sentenced to
Sing Sing for three years.
THAT was enough for me, and wheu
/ came back | tried 20 start over again.
/ secured employment As n driver. |
had been a clerk IN a building material
dealers yard on West Thirtieth street. I
had no trouble. worked hard and was
compIimented by my employer. Then
noticed that my associates began 70
avoid me. Two or three would get 70
gether, point at me and talk about me IL
an uudertoue.
FINALLY, one day the proprietor can't
10 me and said. Thomas. / have na
fault 20 find with you. you have worked
faithfully and hard, bat the other men
cay you have been convict and that
they will leave If you don't. will have
70 discharge you, although / am sorry
He gave Inc two weeks wages and bad
70 leave.
II tried again with Ike result. Then
IN desperation. robbed a store and wa
sent away again.
"Iou wanted % know, mister. how
got here; well. that's how.
I'm going % Sing sing for burglary,
and when ] get cut III probably 20 bscA
for the same crime. Nobody cares. and
II don't
"a man who has not been unfortunate
won't work with ne. / could not get
even If tried % settle dow
aud BE- respectable. 30 self respecting
woman wo1ld have ne.
go where I'm not knOwul Yes.
could do that, but man cant s1oceee
when he Is acting a lie II would -
found out and world have % 70 % Az
Dther piacs-whsrs Tn not known"
''Thornasi" shouted a cogrt oflcsr.
Here. replied the unfortunate.
"You are charged with burglary" aid
he justice ~ ns Approached the bar.
Guilty q Ecs guilty.
"Gualty."
s'Reuzudsd for ssrtsnce-
TbouAs va ID away % eel Ia tie
J-ison bsnsaih TIE fOor q tia court
Sew YORK Herald
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