The evening times., 1896-12-17


Twenty years ago, to this city from n
Mississippi town came a woman who was
soon a particularly effulgent star in shift
ing bohemia. Educated, brilliant and wit
ty, she found col nquests among men OF high
est name and station, who were proud OF
her acquaintance, and who used their in
fluencc In any direction this tickle Phryne
desired. But sue met the fate that be
falls so many women who are good fel-
lows" hand and glove in companionship
with the stronger sex. She fell, and SO
swift was her descent that men forgot her
in night.
For while She ate her heart out at the
bitter memories of her dead and gone for
tunes. Then she married man who was
infatuated with what remained of II once
beautiful woman, willing to accept her
tarnished name and the devilish appetite
for drink consuming her,
After child was born the husband
died, and since that time Margaret VIII
son, first ut rare intervals and then regu-
larry, has been coming to the police court
as II vicious, uncomfortable drunkard.
She was in the dock this morning, and
through the wire netting separating the
pen from the courtroom proper sought
To attract the attention of a boy with a
forlorn, wasted face, gripping his hands
hard together and shaking in an agony
OF apprehension. 1t was her son, who Is
the only friend She possesses, unless God
has not forgotten her.
When she was called TO the rail Clerk
Harper said to the court: Judge, you, OF
course, remember Margaret. She is one
of our old regulars
Indeed, / do said his honor, land
the shame Of it is she cannot keep away
from whisky
Last night Margaret was on Seventh
street. said Policeman Cochran, as the
woman WINGED a little at his familiarity
with her name. II heard about her before
/ met her. She was drunk and annoying
citizens. She had boy with her and
was trying to get whisky for him in
saloons.'
That is not so,'' cried Margaret.
BE quiet, madan!,' adruonished his
honor.
Yes, keep cool, Maggie" said the ur
band Kendig. You'll have a crack at
the officer all right
What did you say her condition was,
Mr officer" asked the judge.
She was drunk, sir" answered Coch-
ran: had one OF those crying jags on,
and wanted to slobber all over mc."
That's what you get for being hand-
some man." said Prosecutor Pugh as Coch-
ran blushincIy retreated.
Margaret" said his honor to the de-
fendant, you can't keep away from here,
can you? When were you here last?''-
About nine weeks ago. said the de
fendant.
What did do with you9''
You released me on IN Y personal bonds. :"
And there is one thing ] want to ex-
plain, your honor" She said in the fasci-
mating accent of the South. That boy with
me is my son." and her eyes ciouded with
tears as the boy hid his face as If to hide
himself from his mothers disgrace.
She is woman of svrite build. with
large blue eyes, faded by dissipation; soft
curling brown hair, and wonderfully Y W hitc
soft, well-shaped hands She stretched
them appea.ingly toward the Judge, as she
said: lie is tie one friend I have left"
And yet You try and get whisky for
him." said the court. coldiy
Indeed, l wasn't she chokcd He
doesn't drink. He would not buy whisky
to save his life"
Glad. indeed, / am to hear that re-
joined the court. Il can't understand why
after the example his mother sets him.
Margaret. Margaret - added the judge, feel
ingly, VIII You never turn your back on
the old life?''
and. as the tears trickled through them,
she said:
Il can't walk on Seventh street without
the police arresting me. They are all
preiudiced against me-"
They are not" retortcd the court curt
ly. There's not a man on the force who
would trouble You il you'd keep sober. but
you getdruiIk, and you knowit How many
times have you been drunk since the 1st
of September"
II couldn't drink all the time and work.
too she Sobbed, hopelessly.
THAI is not answering mr. question" said
the judge.
Il was under the influence of liqnor
last night" she admitted, but won't Won
be neroiful to Inc? When I think what /
have been and what am now it drives me
mad, and il l didn't drink to make me
forget I'd go crazy
low, heartbroken sigh came from her
pallid lips, as in the agony of her shame
she bent her head, which once Queened it
among the best, over the rail, and her
plump shoulders shook with emotion.
You are using the worst remedy possible
for your trouble, advised the judge. You
have boy. good one; live for him. There
is still hope for you
No, no, she said, wildly; mot for me-"
Il will make your sentence light said
the judge, moved by her despair Fifteen
days.
When she was back in the cells Turnkey
<hddiEdu 10 Dlu tUe DON HCOU-
bye, and 1T was very sad to see the wretch
ed woman cling TO him and rain thousand
kisses on his fresh lips, unsullied by the
touch of rum.
Goodbye, mother,''- he said, bravcly
choking the tears back: you'll be out soon
I'll come TO see you every Sunday"
As lie turned the corridor out of sight
and his footsteps died away, Margaret
flung herself on a hard bench and went
until the Maria went away
Theodore Bagsby." said Clerk HarDer.
you are charged with being person of
evil life and fame"
step up, Bags" yelled Kendig. land
give his honor a history of Your life"
"No he won't" said Prosecutor Pugh.
Jerking out his watch. 81 want to get
away from here. I've got an important
enga cement"
What's the iady's name" said Clerk
Harper. in an undertone.
Mr.. Pugh laughed as he asked Theodore
why he had such passion for sleeping in
coal boxes.
1t makes me think I'm next to a fire.
said Theodore, who was holding up ne
destrians last night before he was found
asleep in woodyar by an officer
We'll, Theodore, I'll put you next to a
yoou fire for the nsuing thirty days." said
the judge. step back.
David Cant. a colored boy, who must