, 1892-04-26
DEATH CAME TO HIM.
An Affecting scene in a New York
Police Court.

Am old MAN Crying over HEs Shat-
tered Hopes He Little Dreamed
shat Rest WOMId Come SO soon.
He was once a WAN Among RIen.
New York, April 25.-Business was all
over at the Toombs court and Justice DUFF
fy was talking about taking a promenade
to the Astor House for luncheon when Po-
liceman Grogan, of the Mulberry street
station, came out of the prison pen leading
an old man who had been forgotten in the
big rush. Justice Duffy took his place
again on the bench, but the old man was
50 feeble that it was fully five minutes be-
fore he could walk across the room to face
the judge. Although the old an'scIothes
were threadbare and patched in many
places, there was something about his face
and carriage which attracted attention and
gave the impression of better days and a
happy home somewhere. His hair was
perfectly white and hung upon his shoul-
ders, and his hands and face were clean.
He was very pale, and there was a pinched
look about nose and mouth that told Of
want, hunger and misery. When he got in
front of the judge he caught hold of the
little railing for support, Strengthened up
his body, and with head erect he looked
the judge square in the eye as if he were a
man among men again.
tWell, what is the charge against this
man, officer2' asked Justice Duffy.
"There is no charge, your honor" re-
piled the policeman, except that / found
him sitting down in the street, CRYING yery
hard, amp when [ spoke to him he said
there was no place for him to go. He was
not drunk, Judge, but he seems to be sick. p
"What is your name, my good man ~
said Judge Duffy, in kindly tone.
Its John Irving, sir, !" the old man said
feebly. His hand shook so that he could
hardly hold fast to the railing.
Where do you live, John?" asked the
judge.
The old mans eyes filled with tears, but
by q strong effort Of will he controlled his
feelings and replied in whisper:
II have no home, sir. There is no place
on this earth where John Irving can lay
his head and rest. 1t was not always this
way, Judge. | had home once as bright
and happy as any mans, but that is all
gone now. 1t was broken up, it does not
matter how, Judge, but 1 lost every thing
that was dear to me in moment and
have since been wanderer. Perhaps it
was my fault, but it never seemed so to
me. had plenty of friends then, but
there is no one to call me by name now.
am alone and all | can see is misery. I
have not had good meal in year and
my working days are over. am more
than 70, Judge, and my life has been
fallure.n
AS he spoke, the tears rolled down his
cheeks, and Justice Duffy was visibIv af-
fected. 1t was not the kind of prisoners
that he had been used to seeing, and there
was quiYer i'll his voice when he asked:
well, what can | do for you, John?"
Il want home, judge; some place where
can hear a kind word and see others
happy If 1 cannot be SO myself. It will
only be for little while, and then won't
trouble any one any more, )" he answered
The only home can give you, John, is
on the Island, and Will see that they take
good care Of you for three months,'' said
Justice Duffy.
Thank you, judge" answered the old
man as the policeman led him to the
Warden's room and the clerk started to
take his pedigree. He asked his name and
then inquired:
Where Is your home ?"
my home is now in jail and soon it
will be in the grave, " Irving replied.
At the same instant he was seized with a
violent convulsion, gasped for breath, and
before the policeman who was standing
near could catch him, he fell violently to
the floor. They turned him on his back.
He gave one great gasp and died. A doc
tor said starvation killed him.
He was taken to the morgue, and pinned
on his ragged coat was a card inscribed :
- John Irving. no hOmeN