The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-04-06

pose that he be already n married
manT
"In the latter event, Of course, mar
riage between him and his victim
would be impossible, but In any case
he could be made to support his child,
which would be more just to the infant
than the Imprisonment Of the man."
"But how, in the name of conscience.
can you make man support child If
there is no alternative punishment?"
"Oh! did not say that there should
be no punishment. l only argued
against Imprisonment. This is fitting
use for the whipping post. Corporal
punishment Is sometimes more effec-
tual than any other. For example, IL
oil married men guilty Of this crime
should be publicly nogged once month
for year after conviction l think
much would be accomplished toward a
rcgencracy of the moral status of the
community. But let me answer you as
to the compulsory support Of the child.
If the man has means, it would be
easy enough for the court to allot n
specified monthly payment to the moth
er and child. TO insure such payment
part Of the culprit's property could be
placed under the guardianship of the
public administrator, not actually con-
Iiscated, but so arranged that no dis
position could be made Of 1t against
the interests of the child"
"But suppose the man has no visible
means of support?"
"A man who can work and won't
work must be made to work. If he
can be made to work for the state in
prison. surely he can be compelled to
work for his child out Of prison.
think If man were logged every
week until he would make an honest
effort to obtain employment he would
soon look eagerly for work. OF course
he might do this and not succeed in
which case, when he had proved his
Willingness to do his duty, he would
have reached the same plane as the
father in the first class and would be
a worthy object Of assistance"
IL guess We'll have to send you to
the legislature" said the colonel, who
found that he was getting the worst Of
the argument and so preferred to let
the topic drop. would you like to see
the latest applicant for assistance un.
der your scheme"
81 would indeed" said Mr.. Mitchell.
and together they entered.
The colonel led the way across the
room. the matron rising from her chair
and following them.
II want to show this gentleman our
newest boarder," said the colonel.
shes little angel" said the ma
tron, turning down the coverlet.
"You mean she might have been,"
said the colonel grimly. "That is what
her parents hoped, Mrs. Martin"
Tile inhuman brutes" exclaimed
the matron. 81 wish l could see them
both behind the bars. They ought to
get 20 years at least"
Mr.. Mitchell smiled. The present sys-
TEN apparently Is so universally ac-
ceptabie that 1t would be n herculeap
task to remodel the laws to meet n
more scientific and philanthropic
scope. Philanthropy toward criminals
how strange the words would sound
In the public ear! The advocate of such
system would be considered n lunatic
or at least crank
Mr. Mitchell stopped over the crib and
gaZcd into the great blue eyes, which
seemed unduly large because of the
pinched and starved little face. Yet the
hands and feee were still fat and club.
by, the four days of exposure not hav-
ing been enough to reduce them in any
apparent degree.
'She would be n pretty child If her
face was not so thin" vcnturcl Mr.
AIi.~LSi, reeiius rnat he WAS ut best
but poor judge of such young speci.
mems OF humanity.
"She would be prettyw cried the ma
tron Indignantly. "Shc is pretty-thc
prettiest little grille that has been In
this room in many n day"
Mrs. Martin had once had n baby Of
her own. tiny. sickly little thing.
which had soon withercd ana died. But
the yearnings OF motherhood aroused
by that little chcrub had never quite
died out. and when her husband was
killed shortly afterward, leaving her
alone In the world and hopeless in ner
dearest desire. she had gladly accepted
tnls position. where she could do unto
others rs she would have done for her
own. Each baby placed in her care for
u rev days reminded her OF her own
lost darling. and her heart went out to
IL SO completely that the final scpara-
ton always left her gloomy and de-
spoEdent. condition which would con-
tinue until the next outcast was
brought In.
This baby In some manner had at
tracted her more than ordinarily. per-
haps because OF its unusually sad his
tory, and she resented even praise
which was not given i'm full measure:
SO she lifted the little one up In her
arms and held her out for inspection.
did you ever see such pretty feet 2
Look at her tocs-just as perfect as the
Lord ever made! And see the dimpics.
A AlIaIk L. IL d.