The record-union., 1897-10-10
BABY AS SECURITY.
Touching Scene in a New York
Justices Court.

1T is to be hoped the army of small
debtors who daily plead for mercy in
the courts east of the Bowery Will not
be encouraged by the story of Mrs. Sig
net Kiniski's happy thought. This was
to leave her baby in court as collateral
security for the payment of her debt.
And the baby won her release.
The scene of the little comedy is laid
in Haverstraw.
Mrs. Ruben Silverrnan last spring
sold to Signet Kiniski furniture valued
at SO 80. Mrs Silverman was willing
to accept 81 80 on account of the debt
and give Kinisld credit for the bal
ance.
The story ended in the old way.
Kiniski failed to keep up on his pay
ments and moved to Stony Point fail
ing 10 tell Mrs. Silverman Of the
change. She finally located him, and
Justice HART of Haverstraw issued a
summons for him, returnable Monday
Kiniski looked at the official-looking
blue paper with fright. His ideas Of
American legal practice are yet in their
infancy. To him the paper was simply
an order for his immediate execution
unless he paid the debt.
TT is useless" he said to his wife in
Russian. Il am doomed. I will sur
render myself. Bring my child, that I
may see him before | am taken away"
And presently the couple. baby in
arms, stood before Justice HART plead
ing for mercy. He could not under
stand their words, but he understood
that they wished the case to be tried al
once. Mrs. Silverman being willing, an
interpreter was obtained, and within
three minutes Kinisk waS mulcted in
the full amount claimed with costs.
He could not understand what it all
meant until the interpreter shouted the
word execution" into his ear.
IT knew it," he answered, and he be-
gan to weep. ''They kill me because 1
cannot pay the money. I am lost
Mrs. Kiniski looked at the Judge,
looked at her husband. looked at the
baby. Then her face suddenly bright
ened. She kissed the child, stepped
forward, laid it down on Justice Hartt's
desk and ran out of the room Kiniski
stared wildly around, then with howl
of dismay and fear he too turned and
fed.
Justice HART started back in his
chair and gazed helplessly at the baby
on his desk. The court officers grin
ned.
The Justice presently became aware
that the baby was pretty, plump and
sociable. Inside of two minutes the
youngster with an entire disregard of
official etiquette or of reverence for the
majesty of the law, was clambering
over the judicial shoulder, poking its
fingers into the judicial eye and maxi
ing little clutches at the judicial beard.
Then it suddenly sat down upon the
desk and began to cry, which meant it
was hungry.
Darkness came and the mother had
not returned
I'll take it home" said the Justice.
My wife can look after it. The baby is
evidence that the mother, poor woman,
is trying to collect the money. The
court accepts this security"
Mrs. Hartt frowned at first when she
saw the addition to her numerous fam
lily and said, Just like a man" Then
her mother heart melted at the touch of
the little hands and she took the baby
and cared for it kindly.
The baby was smiling and asleep in
Mrs Hartt's arms when, an hour later.
the mother, tired and fearful. timidIy
entered the parlor with her chiId's ran
som in her hands.
Then she fell on her knees to thank
and bless the woman who had tended
her oaby when she could not be near it.
First time ever took baby as col
lateral, said the Justice, wiping his
eyes I've accepted everything else as
exists, but the baby is the best secur-
lty of all. If you hadn't turned up.
ma'am, darned if I wouldn't have paid
the debt and kept the youngster my
self. New York World