The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1891-08-06
noM A coNv,oT's VIEW.

An OUtO08S X01xo Oh OuoOC00O31UA ELBOWS
to Lead an Honorable Life.
Among q number Of depraved looking
characters who were arraigned In the
Tombs police court for sentence on vari-
ous charges, from burglary TO felonious
assault, I noticed particularly one refined
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, servile
appearance that Is usually one Of the
chief characteristics Of q 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 q 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 was obvious
that he felt keeuly his position.
/ engaged him In conversation, and
years viii not remove from memory the
fierce bitterness with which, he reviewed
his unsuccessful attempts to secure hon.
orable employment after the first oonvio-
ton for some trif1ing crime
my name, said he, In answer to my
question, "what do you want with itS
To publish It 30 that those who have
sent me here this time win know how
well their prejudice did its work.
"Well, Thomas VIII do - Charles
Thomas. That is what am called now.
It Is not my real name. have q few
relatives and I respect them. They have
moved from where they lived when l
was first sent away-gone to q new
home to escape my shame-that is why
I'm Thomas"
There Is no criminal 30 hardened but
what he will cherish somewhere behind
his rough exterior a tender thought Of q
past associations friend, perhaps, or
probably sister. For that reason when
Thomas turned away his head ] remain
ed silent. l thought | distinguished a
suspicious moisture In his eyes, but !
may have been mistaken.
at Is very easy to start, !" he continued,
but once started you cannot stop. Peo-
pie will not let You.
"With crowd Of companions one day
drank more than ! could stand. A
quarrel followed and stabbed one fell
low with my penknife. was arrested,
tried and convicted and sentenced to
Sing Sing for three years.
THAT was enough for me, and when
came back tried to start over again.
secured employment as driver. ]
had been clerk Ina building material
dealers yard on West Thirtieth street.
had no trouble, worked hard and was
complimented by my employer. Thenl
noticed that my associates began to
avoid me- Two or three would get to-
gether, point at me and talk about me In
an undertone. t2Fa.si -
FINALLY, one day the proprietor came
to me and said, Thomas, ! have no
fault to find with you, ron have worked
faithfully and hard, but the other men
say you have been q convict and that
they viii leave II you don't I win have
to discharge you, although ! am sorry
He gave me two weeks Wages and ! had
to leave. 7z
81 tried again with like result. Then,
an desperation, Irobbed q store and was
sent away again. Il
"You wanted to know. mister, how
got here; well, that's how. 4..s.5..-,.5.
"Tm going to Sing Sing for burglary,
and when j get out III probably so back
for the same crime Nobody cares, and
Il don't. ss .sy4-5t -.ser
"a man who has not been unfortunate
won't work with me. could not get
married even II l tried 10 settle down
md be respectable. No self respecting
woman would have me.
"Go where I'm not known? Yes,
could do that, bat a man can't succeed
when he Is acting q lie, II would be
found out and would have to go to an
other place-where I'm not known"
'Thomast" shouted court officer.
Here replied the unfortunate.
"You are charged with burglary said
the justice as he approached the bar.
Guilty or not guilty."
Guilty.
demanded for sentence
Thomas was led away to cell in the
prison beneath the floor Of the COURT
New York Herald = S. -