The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-06-15

Duhy's store an pried open the back win
DER an went In an got me an outfit o.
workin' clothes. l KEEP list o. 'em an I
reckon I've git 1t here now In my day book
he took an old advertising memorandum,
DOCK from his pocket and pointing out the
words with his forefnger, read as follows:
Item, one pair of blue overalls
Item. one pair of brogan shoes
Item, one blue an white hickory shirt.
Item, one straw hat.
Item, one cake SOAP one razor. one
coarse comb"
Il KEEP this list because 1 lowed to nav
lor EN-. l didn't mean to break in an steal,
1eioniosly, aforesaid an so forth agin the
peace an dignity of the state. didn't think
l was burglarer. I figgered it out that
was Just buyin them things on a credit.
L went down to the cheek an took on
them tramp clothes and made a firh an
burnt EN- up. Then 1 washed myself an
put on my workin' clothes. AS soon as It
got light enough shaved an oombed usin'
the clear water of the creek far lookin'-
glass.
MY. jedge. how good felt! 1 wasn't a
tramp no longer. / never was much of a
prayin man, 5edge. but I got down on my
knees an thanked the good Lord that
he had joltad the wuthlessness out O. me an
I
an the little one an begin a new life right
here in the land O. my salvation.
Then l went down to Mr.. Johnson's an,
got job-got it easy-an' went to work. I
wrote to Mandy an told her all about it
an Sne wrote back that she felt toarge me
same as ever. an d come to me as fast
as the train d bring her as soon's 1 sent
the money. l got the letter the very day
paid Mr. Duffy. You see. jedge, 1 worked
TWO weeks an when l got my pay went
down an squared up with Duffy an he said
It's all right an that my credits good at
his store f'r whatever 1 wanted That's
all know l went back to work an yes
terday the sheriff come an arrested me-"
Il didn't mean to have the man arrested
judge said the storekeeper. 81 amt COM
planning OF him. But the grand jury had
heard about the burglary and they called me
in an had to tell them the truth Prose-
cutting attorney says it don't make any diff
ference about the fellow paying for the
goods afterwards. He was guilty Just the
same. So the grand jury indicted him, but
| I couldn't help it,"
Yes. l reckon; guilty jist the same,''
said the prisoner, who, having finished his
! story. stood awaiting the decision of the
court with patience and resignation. II
reckon it was wrong. but it was that or
trampin and 1 expect I'd do It agin I'd
| ruther go to the penitentiary than be a
| tramp agin.'
THE proceedings in the case have been
| informal and somewhat unusual" said the
judge, as he cleared his throat and straight
ened up into judicial attitude. "Mr. Alex
ander, are you willing to leave the matter
with the court on your original plea or do
| you want a jury trial?"
|
whatever you thinks right amt goin' to
| kick"
every we'll, then. The court will pro-
| nounce sentence. The court finds that the
prisoner at the bar has BEEN a tramp and
vagabond, and has neglected his wife and
child. The court finds that the prisoner is
guilty of burglary in the second degree, and
| of larceny, and the court sentences the
| prisoner to the minimum term, for the COM
| bined offenses, five years in the state peni-
tentiary.'
"Five-years-in the state-penitentiary!"
echoed the prisoner.
''Its dodgasted outrage. that's what
say" exclaimed Farmer Johnson. 81 don't
care who knows it,
| mr. Johnson said the Judge, sternly
1.-The court fines you IS for contempt. This
court is here to enforce the laws of the
state, and, technically under the law, the
prisoner is guilty. He has pleaded guilty
and the court had no choice but to sentence
him accordingly But / have another word
to say, Mr. Alexander: listen to me-
| The judge leaned over and looked gently
down at the prisoner.
Mr.. Alexander. the legislature of Mis-
| souri, in 1897. passed parole law the pro-
visions of which apply with peculiar force to
your case. The court esteems it privilege
! to grant you parole. The court will re-
lease you on your own recognizance. You
will be permitted to go free, on condition
| that you remain in this county, under the
| jurisdiction of the court, and report to me at
| the beginning of each term The parole
| shall be for a term of one year. If at the
| end of that time the court finds that you
| have demeaned yourself with uprightness
and industry, the sentence against you will
be of no force. You will be fully discharged
"Mr. Alexander, the court hopes and be-
| lieves that the good resolutions caused by
| your most peculiar jolt will be permanent
| Send for your wife and baby, and you will
have the best wishes of this court and your
future happiness and prosperity. You are
now free to go. Mr.. Johnson, l will remit
your fine. Court is adjourned until o o'clock
this afternoon
| Farmer Johnson went over to the prisoner
! and slapped him on the back with such force
| that he was fairly lifted out of his chair
Hear that, Hiram!" he cried. Hear
| that! You are free. Come on, now, let's go
home an go to work. Tomorrow we'll send
| for Mandy an the little Teller. Don't that
give you another jolt? You en- have that
| little three-room house down on the creek
forty, an garden patch free of rent and
| job as long as you live. Me and Mandy IL
| keep you straight. Come on, you rascal"
| The prisoner looked up at the farmer
| The tears were rolling down his ace He
| tried to speak, but there was choking CUR
| gle in his throat that kept the words back.
| Chicago News.
| To RevOlutiOnfxe FreightinE i'm Ne