The morning call., 1893-03-28
POET AND WASHER.
Osman Day Is Convicted Of
VagranCy.
He Had Bright Thoughts Which lie
Put Into Verse and Sold for q
Few Dollars.

Osmau Day. the Market-street statue
who was recently arrested for vagrancy.
was found guilty of the offense in Judge
Conian'S court last night and will be SEN
fenced this morning.
Inc statue" placed several witnesses on
the stand to prove that he was an active
business man Of good reputation.
The trst OF these was a barlSeeper en-
poyed by Harry Maynard, the eX-pugIlist,
on Stockton street. The manufacturer of
liquid exhilRrants swore that Mr.. Day was
a good fellow who seldom wantoned with
the flowing bowl.
Then came witness who gave his name
as w. II. Lennon and his occupation as
preacher of the Gospel and editor of re-
ligiovs paper.
What do you call your church," Days
attorney asked.
The church of Christ" was the solemn
reply: 1--WE meet every Sunday afternoon
at City Hall avenue"
Does MIR. Day attend your church,"
es, sir. He has been there every Sun
day during the last three months, ana we
consider him man Of culture, of sociabil-
ity and certain degree of refinement.
T. Day has occasionally spoken at our
meetings and has generally delivered him
self in harmony with the spirit of them"
-
acquainted with your wife?' asked the
Prosecuting Attorney.
Il am not afraid of my wife's getting
acquainted with any man." replied the pas
tor. with great dignity.
Mrs. Lizzie Finch testified that Day
boarded at ner house and had Il good repu-
tation.
Does he pay his rent2" asked the court.
Yes, sir"
That's all, then"
But it was not all. Before she left the
stand Mrs Fink confessed that few
months ago she was Mrs. Hopkins of 1908
Market street. and that she is now pc
titioner IN the insolvency court.
NJ. c. Haley was called to testify In
Days Interest, but no response came to the
criers summons and the defendant was
sworn.
Back from his low brow he swept mass
OF dark curly hair ana commenced the story
of his life and adventures in the low thrill
ing tones OF melOdramatic star. He trilled
his RS" while speaking slowly and DELHI
erately, but when warmed up by the pros
ecntor forgot this trick Of the tongue.
He was born, so he said, iu CrOnstadt,
Russia, and came to California six years
ago. His true name Is Leslie Day, ana he
is contractor and builder. He has worked
IN this city and in Oregon, but some six
months ago dropped the trowel for the
poets pen and wrote verses for weekly
paper. During the last six weeks he was
tailor.
Clarence Gray, Days attorney, asked him
to recte some of his poems, and he was
about to reeite one entitled Watched by the
Police" when the court came to the rescue
of the jury, who, he said, had suffered
enough.
Day denied that he was yagraut and
positively declared that he had never in
suited woman on the street. One of the
girls that he had been accused of insulting
was an old friend and he had never seen the
other Two.
Day said that he had written sAvrral
poems for the paper alluded TO and had re-
ceiyed about So for all as his compensation
Were you ever arrested for impersonat-
ing a cleigyman?"
mo"
Were Won ever convicted of vagrancy p"
Il was, bat the case was squashed by the
Supreme Court"
Days last witness was a sewing-machine
agent. who was arrested some time ago for
obstTacting the sidewalk In front of public
school He said that he paid some one SIS
and the case was never called in court.
Then he informed the court that Day was
an exemplary citizen. and the case was
given to the jury. They returned in half
an hour. with the verdict. Guilty as
charged"