The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1901-03-15
ain. why, she must be just about the

brain. why, she must be just about the
age
What is the CHARGE" he asked coldly.
An officer gibly explained, Grand lar
ceny. your honor.
Have you anything to say why sen
tence should not be passed. the judge
addressed the girl.
She made no answer, but gazed sullenly
IT the floor
May l speak, your honor?"
1t was the good angel ut the girls side.
His honor gravcly inclined his head.
1T was her first olfcnsc." faltcred the
kind soul she was foolish and frivo-
lous and was tempted by her love of
fnery, but, oh. sir, she is so young, |
beg
But the good woman could go no fur
Their. Her voice died away Something
chokcd her She put her hand to her
throat, and the tears ran down her face.
The judge suddenly covered his face
with his hand
Then an intense silence settled upon
the courtroom. People gazcd. awe
stricken, at the bench. Reporters looked
mp from their table to see what the i'm.
prcsSive stiffness meant. \ big police
man looked ont of the window and GOV
rrtly blow his nose.
His honor was weeping.
Yes, there was no doubt of il. Through
the fingers Of his strong. well shaped
white hand tears. like the gentle rain
from heaven, slowly tricklcd down his
face.
she is so young; she is so young"
over and over these words repeated
themselves. Just about the age He
saw again that sweet, refined. tlowcrliie
face. he heard the earnest words Now.
papa, You are to remember that all day
tomorrow
The judge wiped his eyes and CON
troilcd his emotion. \ sigh of relief ran
through the courtroom The girl at the
bar was troubled and ashamed. She be
gan to trcnbc. The good Samaritan at
her side put her arm about her.
His honor cleared his throat.
IN consideration Of the youth of this
unfortunate girl, will suspend sen
tcncc and remand the prisoner in the
custody of his excellent woman"
The oldest lawyers all agreed that
never before had they listened to so
mastery a Charge as that given by Judge
Sa&ton in the Applcton-Trcmainc ease.
The evidence was so startling. so scnsa-
tional, it had presupposcd the prisoners
guilt. Until the opening sentences of his
hnnor's charge every one in the court
room had decided on verdict Of
"Guijy."
But the Judge, with that marvellous
dcXterity, that keen knowledge of the
law. that astonishing acumcn for which
he was distinguished, deity siftcd and
weighed the evidence. carefully sorted
the true from the false, admonishcd the
men who hung en- his words and jealousy
guarded the rights of the accused.
strong in favor Of the prisoner" was
the cautious whisper that passed from lip
to lip.
When his honor rose 10 charge the
jury, his eyes rested for an instant on the
prisoners hopeless face, blrachcd by long
confinement in Sing Sings death cham
Der and bearing traces of horror that
could never he oblitcratcd Then with
one swift glance the judge marked the
face of the prisoners wife. She was a
young woman, but her hair was gray.
Suffering had laid its iron fingers on her
countcnancc. and her soul-hcr hlamelcss.
loyal soul-lookcd from its windows with
appealing. helpless misery,
How would she look if she were hap
py?" thought his honor as he faced the
eXpectant jury. And then a sudden men
tai CONFUSION shook him. What if he
were to live to see such look as that on
his own daughters face?
Papa, papa, be merciful," rang a
voice as sweet as a silver bell. "You are
to remember this all day tomorrow and
be merciful.'
lis honor was remembering.
- = n
When the white haired foreman stood
up in the jury box and in a voice choked
with emotion said, Not guilty. when
that woman with the palid face and ter
ror stricken eyes. who had risen with the
prisoner to hear his sentence turned and
flashed one never to be forgotten look at
the judge, his honor softly repeated to
himself, 1T blesseth him that gives and
him that takes"
The carriage stopped, and as the Judge
descended he looked up at the drawing
room window. Yes, there she stood, the
exquisite girl for whose sake and under
whose influence he had taken compassion
that day on two wretched women.
The door was opened, and into the
genial warmth, the soft mellow light, the
loving embrace, he was tenderly drawn,
while a soft voice murmured in his ear
as pair of soft lips touched his cheek,
well, papa, dear, have you been good
and merciful today Y'-Boston Herald.