Evening star., 1896-03-24
AN OLD OFTEN DER
Rebecca Smith is Known as Queen of
Vagranta
Prisoners and Their Sentences I'm the
Police Court This Morning.
The Usual Cases.

Rebecca Smith is never so happy as when
she IL drinking rum or fighting legal bat
ties. and she has INDUCED In both these
pastimes often enough to be a good legal
adviser and inspector of rum.
Her legal battles are usually fought in the
Police Court, but Becky says she is now
tired of hearing the courts temperance lee
lures and NINETY days." and she intends to
go to higher court.
For what?" Policeman Flynn asked her
this morning
For what?' echoed the woman behind
the bars. For this black eye"
Rebecca's eye was black, and the police
man told her it served her right for going
in a rum shop. He explained that she had
gone to the saloon, and had to be elected,
and, being unable to stand when she was
put out. her eye came In contact with the
sidewalk
''She had the man arrested" said Flynn,
sbs but the .h case :; was noe pressed and now
By reason Of her long service and frequent
appearance. Becky is the rightful sue
cessor Of the late Agnes White. who for
female vags."
She differs from her late predecessor in
that she always has an excuse of some kind
10 oner Agnes was always willing to tell
the truth, and then ask the mercy Of the
court.
I'm not guilty, and I'm never guilty" Is
"Beckys" usual plea, and this morning,
when she headed the procession, she said
not guilty" In a manner which indicated
that she was extremely indignant
It's a story; it's lie; it's an abomina BILE
he. she said. when the policeman said she
had been begging
found her begging at house on 4th
street Ho
pie gave her something to eat, and then she
Gated"
Judge, your honor" said the unfortunate
woman, Il amt been here since the last
time You sent me down for fifteen days, and,
although a man beat me and BACKED my
eye. l went and got job and tried to do
But you were drunk last niehto" oueried
the court.
III tell you. judge" responded the pris-
oner. Il had the toothache so lad that /
was almost crazy, and said to myself
I'll go get drunk the court INTERRUPTED
When did you get out?''
That 1 can't tell," she answered, "be-
cause my memory's so bad and don't keep
a diary"
Drinking a little, but I wasn't out of the
way" ''-
Where were you arrested?'
You've got me now, judge" she said. II
The court told Becky" that she would
get only ten days this time, and the woman
shed few tears and begged for her release
While being taken back.
Usual Cases.
young man whose name was given as
John Buchanan appeared in the procession
as a vagrant, because he had been found
begging on the street while under the in
huence Of LIQUOR.
oh ;rI
an old bird" he added, when an elderly COL
ored man appeared.
The old mans tatters and rags indicated
that he eeded every cent he could earn
but he had squandered II cents in policy
shop yesterday, and Policeman Russell ar
rested him for his own protection.
L as at the Aqueduct bridge looking for
policy people," the policeman told the court.
and when this old man came along 1 ar
rested him.
And did you find anything on him?"
interrupted the court
IA few policy plays" answered the Off
GER One of them is dated yesterday and
Il played II cents yesterday" the pris-
oner said, because needed money for rent
and didn't have It,"
And what about Saturdays papers?"
pocket"
There's rot enough proof in this case to
hold you,' the court said; but the officer
did right in arresting you. Now, John, you
may as we'll understand that you will never
get money enough from these robbing
games to pay rent or buy food, and hope
you will never be here again.
you'll never git me again. said the old
man, ':and thank you, too.''
He was released.
Charles Lewis admitted he had used bad
language and went down in default Of fine.
In the Division.
Richard bo boS hut
leg. was in the tolls. but he was not charg-
the last one-legged man who was in court.
He was at Maggie Mitche;rs house in
the Division last night" said the officer,
land was so disorderly that 1 arrested
him.
Ard this is all a put-up job," said the
prisoner. Il net my brother on the street
and he asked me to come to the house and
see Lim.'
Does he live in that section?"
He hangs up there"
Smith then said that he thought the po-
liceman had grudge against him, but the
court told him he had a grudge against him
self when he got drunk.
His personal bonds were taken.
Mike Cavanaugh. an old offender, was in
court on charge of vagrancy. Lieut.. Tee
pie made complaint against him.
Your honor" the lieutenant said, Il saw
him yesterday coming from a house where
he Lad been begging for a shirt. Mike was
drunk and had>a pistol in his pocket, but it
was wet one and had very little ammuni-
ton in it,"
What have you to say?" asked the
judge. who is well acquaint ted with Mike.
Nothing"
Thirty days"
Ida Mason, a colored woman who has
lived in the Division" for long time. was
forced to leave there because the activity OF
the police has resulted in the destruction of
her business. called at the station last
night. She was crying. and said she was
hungry and wanted to be sent down.
Sergt. Acton told of what happened in
the station last night. and Judge KimbaIl
inquired ebout the wonans character.
Same a all the others in that locality
tie officer answered.
"And what is that?'
"Shes fast woman
Sixty days"
An old soldier named Eu gene Hawke, ar
rested becaus Of drunkenness, was released
to return to Hampton. He promised to let
liquor alone in the future.
Spring at Kings Palace.
The annual spring opening at Kings
Palace is on just now, with the natural
esult that the store Is daily thronged with