Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-07-15
a TRICK TO GAIN MERCY.
Harry Parkers Broken Hearted "Father"
Was Playing y Part.

was flayius HsrI
Nerr York sun.
Before County Judge Henry "a.
| Moore's court opened in Brooklyn on
| Friday morning an elderly man with
a sunburnt complexion, sandy hair. and
| Scotch burr 10 his voice that fairly
tickIed the ear when he spoke, walked
| into the clerks Office and said:
"I.wsnt to see myIo-b-b-boy once more.
Boo hoo hoo! Ny p-p-poor b-b-b-boy."
"Who is your boy?" asked an officer.
Harry Parker" answered the lllun-
mated stranger. Great tears rolled
down his cheeks. He was a study in
grief.
The officers sympathy was aroused.
, When Harry Parker was gathered In by
the police he was supposed to be one Of
a gang OF experinced Enghlish pick
| pockets that had been working the
race tracks. Parker's misfortune hap
pened on MAY Is. when DR.. Rice WOE
the handicap. Parker and George
Holems were arrested at the Brooklyn
Jockey Club track by Detective Mason
for helping themselves to 500 dia-
mond stud that happened to be in the
shirt bosom OF Reuben Dodd. They
were indicted for grand larceny In the
second degree add convicted. They
were to be arranged before Judge
Moore on Friday for sentence. When
the ford stranger heard from the off,
Ger that "his son" was TO DO sentenced,
he asked to see Judge Moore. The
officer took him TO the judges private
room.
what is it you want?" asked Judge
NJ GORE.
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"
well. what's his name?"
Harry, your eXcellency; harry
Parker, may it please you"
Eyes, and he has been convicted OF
grand larceny, and / ain going to sem
tencce him this morning." said Judge
Moore.
The stranger was heaving with sobs.
"Spare him, you excellencV! Spare my
only son! He was such nice b-b-b'boy
boo hoo-hoo! / haven't seen my un-
happy boy for two whole years. He has
| been wayward when he has been out OF
my care. Do have mercy on him, and
I will bless you all my days. Harry
will be graceful, too. He has never
been in trouble before, your majest-
your honor.
~ understand that he has been In
prison before" said Judge Moore, who
was bit suspicious.
"You hurt me when you say that"
said the stranger with dignity. III he
has been In trouble before may your
honor seud him TO prison for lite."
While this was going on Detective
Mason, who had arrested Parker, en-
tered the room. He remem bered to
have seen the rudy 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
handkerchief and dabbIng at his stream
| ing eyes. He cried easily and without
effort.
Where are you Employed" asked
Judge Moore.
"For business reasons / would pre-
fer not to answer" said the man. II
have been respectable citizen since |
/ came 10 this country"
A cross-examination developed the
| name of one man who lived In Harlem
who had employed Harry Parker's
father.
"Msson," said the judge to tho de-
tective, Ego to Harlem and see what
this man knows about Mr.. Parker"
The heartbroken parents soos
ceased suddenly. Your honor, Il
I will call again." he said, and out be
went in hurry.
When Parker was arraigned for SEN
| tence Judge Moore asked him. "ls
your father aiveP"
mo, he died eight years ago."
Parker chuckled when the story OF
the broken hearted parent was told TO
him.
"If that man says he is your father
he didn't tell the truth, eh?" said Judge
Moore.
"Of course he didn't, and he's moth
but an old bungler anyway" said Par
ker with disgust.
The broken-hearted parent didn't
return TO claim his long-ost boy, and
Parker was sentenced 70 Sing Sing for
four years and half.
THAT was the latest trick out" COM
mented court officer.
TOO MUCH DOG