The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-03
A HARD CASE TO JUDGE.
Boy Pleaded Not to BE Sent to the
Reform school.

Cecil Robinson, fifteen-year-old boy, was
before Judge McCray, in the Criminal Court
yesterday, on the charge of incorrigibility.
The boys mother and older brother were in
court to appear against him. The case was
most pitiful and was full of tears and sighs
1t was charged that the youth has been un-
manageable, and has given his mother a
great deal of trouble There was serious
objection on the part OF the youth to going
to the Reform School. He begged and
pleaded with the court to let him off.
After hearing some evidence as to the
boys doings, the court called him and his
brother up to the bench and talked to them
The tears rolled down the young culprit's
face, and the brother, a fine, manly young
fellow of twenty-five, kept his composure
with an effort. The mother sat some dis
lance away. her eyes red with much weep
ing. She looked to her grown-up son to do
the best for the boy that could be done.
At one time during the talk the judge was
almost persuaded to give the young Offend
.er chance. But he remembered that the
boy had made a false statement as to his
age. He had testified that he was horn
in 1882, which would make him sixteen years
old. and past sixteen years is the limit at
the Reform School for Boys. There being
soma doubt about the truthfulness of his
statement the court had the mother bring
in the family Bible. The book showed that
the hov was horn in 1879 IN tail,ing ,,,itb
the court. the boy felt that his brother was
oeanng with him too harshly.
NO, 1t is not because we want to get rid
of you that We do this" said the brother
placing his arm about the boys shoulders.
1t is because we think it IS best for you.
You know that you have not treated your
mother right. She has been good TO you.
and you have repaid her badly. We would
be glad 10 have you at home If YOU would
ala
ana feed you, and L shouldn't ask you TO
turn your hand TO work But you know
you have been tried and have failed. Go
10 the Reform School and let them make q
man OF YOU and when you come back
mother and / will welcome you. This trou-
bic sha mt be remembered against YOU.
oh. give ME one moro trial, sobbed the
boy. IN 90 to work tomorrow. | know
where | can get a job, and II stick 10 IT. +
But the brother was obdurate. because he
feit that the boys only safety lay IN the
school at Plainfeld. The boy turned TO the
court and again pleaded for mercy. The
court asked Deputy prosecutor Hadley to
speak to the mother and tell her what her
son promised. The attorney went over and
sat down by the mother. The wretched lad
watched his mother closely trying TO find
some hope in the expression or her face.
He thought he saw some announcement IN
her tear-stained features as the attorney
Won't you let me off this timer" the lad
again appealed 10 the court. Il know that
o meep more r % Bt the sv words Of Attorney
Hadley to the court sent despair to the boys
heart and he broke out again crying Bit
terly. The mother felt that Il would be use
less to try him again, although her heart
was breaking with grief and pity for him.
The court told the youthlul prisoner 70 ST
down, and his mother went and sat beside
him They both cried and whispered to-
gether for some minutes, AT the end OF
The interview the mother left the courtroom,
Her older son walked over to his brother
and tried TO console him. but the boy kept
on crying. II want to SEQ mother again,