The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-04
CHARMED BY ABB AoKsIRD's SONG
The Effect of a L.ttIe Negro Waits
Singing on Hardened Prisoners.
From the Philadelphia Record.

6AAk OA EEAEEuaTH.
From the Philadelphia Record.
The wonderful power OF a little chiId's
song on hardened criminals was illustrated
in two police stations yesterday. officer
Garnet Of the Nineteenth district noticed a
little colored boy crying piteously just after
the noon hour at Eleventh aud Locust
streets. Lost child unused the officer
and then: "Hullo, Johnny. what's the
matterW
The boy looked scared half to death at the
sight OF the big policeman. but managed to
sob out:
81 want my mammal
The quesr little waif was taken to the
Nineteenth district police station. He was
we'll dressed, wore a smart cap, trimmed
with gold lace, and looked unusually INTEL
ligent A volley of questions could not
extract from him where he lived, and all
he cared to say was, MY name is Joseph
Edwards Reason, and am years old. -
He had clear voice and spoke with un-
usual distinctness. In a few minutes he
had forgotten his troubles aud went to
make friends with the station house cats
Then he walked up to big sergeant and
said: II can sing: can your
The big sergeant was so astonished at his
small questioner that he let his cigar fall on
one OF the cats, but none of the officers
laughed. They were too astonished.
Il can sing you one of nay Sunday school
songs volunteered the small boy. Then,
without waiting for an invitation, his
clear. soprano voice, full of sweetness,
rang out the words of Jesus. Lover OF my
Soul"
The effect was startling, and every one
listened respectfully. Men off duty came
tiptoeing down stairs, and soon the little
singer had a group of officers about him.
Lumps came up in their threats, pipes were
laid down. and eyes became suspiciously
moist. The prisoners who were recovering
from their Sundays debauch, waiting for
the patrol wagon TO take them TO prison,
stopped their cursing and listened. After
the last note died away a hardened sinner,
whom the detectives know as a desperate
criminal, jumped up, and In a husky
whisper said to the turnkey:
Hardy, dat's de stuff Make dc kid sing
some mere. Seer
The little warbler could do nothing but
sing, and to provide him with an all-night
lodging he was taken to the central police
station. His eyes danced as he saw the
brilliantly lighted apartment, and he let go
the patrol sergeant's hand to cautiously In
spect the cells. In this first cell was a surly
colored man, who was waiting a hearing
before Magistrate Clement for burglary. In
the other cells were two "hard" characters.
"Hullo, sonny! What are We in fori"
said one of the prisoners, making despers
ate attempt at joke
The boy looked curiously at the uninvit-
ing face through the iron bars aud said
"Mister, can sing"
The burglar drew back abashed. Then
the boy sang. Count Milestone Further
On" His voice sweIled like birds. and
the big reserves who were waiting for the
magistrate were paralyEed. 10 the aston
ishment of everybody the prisoners Joined
in the chorus, and the burglar supplied the
harmony with his deep basso. Then the
boy sang other hymns, and at last ran and
gave the prisoners a drink Of water at their
request. As the prisoners walked TO face
the magistrate he went 70 sleep like tired
wanderer.