Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-23
A TRICK TO GAIN MERCY.
Harry Parker's Broken-Heart01
Father Was Playing o Part.

"Fntber" was fluying q ParG
From the New York Sun.
Before County Judge Henry II. Moore's
court opened in Brooklyn on Friday morn
ing an elderly man with a sunburst COM
plexion. sandy hair, and q Scotch burr in
his voice that fairly tickled the ear when
he spoke. walked into the clerks Office an5
| said:
Il want to see my b-b-b-boy once moro
Boo hoo hoo. My p-p-poor b-b-b-boy."
who is your boy?" asked an officer.
Harry Parker" answered the Illuminated
stranger. Great tears rolled down hla
cheeks. He was a study In grief.
The officer's sympathy was aroused.
When Harry Parker was gathered In by
the police he was supposed TO be one Of q
gang OF experienced English pickpockets
that has been working the race tracks
Parker's misfortune happened on May IS,
wnen DR. Rice won the handicap. Parker
and George Holmes were arrested at the
Brooklyn Jockey Club track by Detective
Mason for helping themselves TO a 500
diamond stud that happened TO be in the
shirt bosom OF Reuben Dodd. They were
indicted for grand larceny in the second
degree and convicted. They were 10 be ar
raigned before Judge Moore on Friday for
sentence. When the fiorid stranger heard
from the officer that his son" was TO be
sentenced, he asked to see Judge Moore.
The officer took him to the judges private
room.
What is 1T you want?" asked Judge
Moore.
The stranger was shaking with sobs as
he said: 'Oh, your majesty, my poor
b-b-b-boy. He was such nice young
m-m-man. the hope OF my old age"
We'll. what's his name?'
Harry; your exceiiency; Harry Parker.
may AZ please you"
Yes. and he has been convicted OF grand
larceny. and l am going to sentence him
|
The stranger was heaving with sobs
Spare him. your excellency, Spare my only
son! He was such nice b-b-b-boy-boo-
hoo-hoo! haven't seen my unhappy boy
for two whole years. He has been way
ward when he has been out of my care DO
have mercy on him. and will bless You ali
my days. Harry will be grateful, too. He
has never been in trouble before. your
maJest-your honor.
Il understand that ne has been In prison
before. said Judge Moore. who was q bit
suspicious.
You hurt me when you say that said
the stranger with dignity. III he has been
to prison for life
While this was going on Detective Mason,
VINO had arrested Parker. entered the room.
He remembered TO have seen the ruddy
stranger talking to Parker during the trial.
Are You married?" asked Judge Moore.
My poor. dear wife is dead" said the
man. again bringing out his damp hand
kerchief and dabbing at his streaming eyes
He cried easily and without effort
Where are you employed?" asked Judge
Moore.
For business reasons I would prefer NOT
TO answer" said the man. Il have been n
respectable citizen since I came 70 this
country
A close cross-examination deyeloped thu
name OF one man who lived In Harlem who
had employed Harry Parkers father
Mason. said the Judge to the detective
go TO Harlem and see what this man
knows about Mr. Parker"
Inc heartbroken parents sobs ceased sud-
denly. Your honor Ill will cali again
ne said. and out he went In a hurry.
when Parker was arraigned for sentence
Judge Moore asked him. rs your father
aliveg'
No. he died eight years ago"
Parker chuckled when the story nj thu
broken-hearted parent was told 70 him.
III that man says he is your father he
didn't tell the truth. eh?" said Judge Moore
or course he didn't. and he's nothing bur
an old bungler anyway" said Parker with
disgust.
The broken-hearted parent didn't return
TO claim his long-lost boy, and Parker was
a half.
That was the latest trick out" comment
ed court officer