The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-15

parents.
More than four-score of these children
started involuntarily when the deputy
raped with keen knocks for order in the
courtroom" We heaved a sigh. the judge
sat erect surveying the army of offenders
before him, silence reigned. Then the little
clerk called out in stentorian tones: BILLY
Jones! Billy Jones! Billy Jones!"
Arm in arm with a big policeman, Billy
advanced to the bar of justice. We ex-
pected harsh arraignment severe and cut
ting phraseology, lordly and austere bear
ing from the man behind the throne. How
could he ever conclude the array of difficult
ties before him in any other manner?
Must he not, perforce be severe and heart
less? Sweet disappointment. Billy stood at
the side of the great man who accosted
him in this wise:
Why, Billy, how do you do this after
noon?"
Now we saw why we had been seated
so near the splendid justice; for his tones
were as soft and as low as a woman would
employ fondling her newborn babe.
Placing his arms about the boys waist,
Tuthiu continued: BILLY what does your
father do?"
Il have no father" came the reply.
Have you a mother?"
Eyes"
Does your mother have employment
Then followed a full discussion of the
family affairs, the boys ambitions and his
present duties When this had ended, Tut
hill, so kindly to unnerve, il seemed,
the most waywardly inclined boy, said:
BILLY, you have been charged with
rying some articles from this gentlemans
store. Don't you want TO quit that way OF
living and be a MANI
Upon Billy's affirmative and honest an
swer, the justice took his hand. saying:
BILLY, 1 am going to let you go this time.
Now remember that 1 have merely given
you a chance. Don't have to be brought to
me again. Billy, be good boy. Goodbye.
Mr.. Clerk, call the next
All no haste in Tuthilrs court The SAL
walton of boys and girls whom others had
cast away as worthless, unsavable; this
was the manifest business of the Juvenile
Court as presided over by Judge Tuthill.
REBUKE TO A MOTHER.
At the clerks call, young girl of per-
haps thirteen summers. approached the
judges desk She was accompanied by her
mother, who accosted the judge prema-
turely with words like these: 81 just can't
keep her in at nights off the streets at all.
can't do a thing with her. She gets mad
and runs away" But Tuthill quietly OBJ
served: May be she is not altogether re-
sponsible for her habits and disposition"
Then the woman with unmotherly feelings,
stood silent, taking the just rebuke pre-
cisely as the judge had intended she
should. The girl stood with fierce and reso-
about to say fatherly tones. but that
does not express the sympathy of the
mans voice-in motherly tones, the judge
addressed the child:
well, Mary, your mother thinks you
make matters rather interesting sometimes
about homer"
II guess L do" snappishly came the an
swer.
well, Mary, how does your mother treat
your"
He struck at the root Of the evil without
hesitation.
mot very WELL" this time with both fear
and revenge mixed in the answer.
But Mary, if you had a nice home
where you were treated well. you would
not want to be out on the streets at night
would your"
mo. sir; wish 1 had" this with the
eye tear bedimmed.
Then in the most tender way this fear
less man assured Mary of his lasting inter-
est and help. But turning to the unfeelng,
drunken mother, he administered such a
rebuke as was good to hear.
BE careful where you go to-night-I
shall have the police watch you regularly.
Take care of this child. Be careful how
you treat her-for if complaint be lodged
against you for neglect or ill-treatment of
this girl, rest assured you will be in a
less desirable situation than you find your
self at present. Goodbye, take good care
of Mary. The police will know everything
you do"
Comforting was the arraignment of the
home for the mischievousness in this girls
nature. The public schools have stood
charged with inaugurating much of the evil
tendencies Of children who have such incli-
nations. Is it too far from truth to declare
the laxity of home rule contributes her full
share to these undesirable results?
At the risk of wearying, one further case
must be described. This time came for
ward a boy of about fifteen years, neatly
attired and attended by a weeping mother
! the sort of womanhood that has redeemed
the race. Three burly Swedes, witnesses
against the boy. stepped to the bar of JUS
| tice. They wore hardened looks. and cast
/ sinister glances about the room, as if fear
| full or continuing. Tuthill addressed the
men: What is the trouble here?"
Then the spokesman began: You see
| down In the South Side there are COM
munities of various Observation-Disclosures
/ ans Swedes, Italians. The children of these
! districts do not affiliate in their play rela-
tons; but If they come in contact after
nightfall, one with another they scrap
Well, last night / was going home from
my work. At the crossing of A and B
streets L saw a gang of Hungarian boys
beating a Swede boy. l interfered, in the
interest of the worsted boy, when this
young desperate up and shot at me three
times from across the street won't stand
it. want him sent to the Reform School"
Then the mother interposed with fearful
entreaties for her boy. Meanwhile, the
Judge said not a word.
WHERE THE COURT CAME IN
After the witnesses aforementioned had
talked out" and cried out" the judge
began: Roscoe. what is your father s
/ business?"
He is a dairyman, sir"
do you work any? Do you help your
father?'
Yes, sir; 1 help of mornings before I go
TO work"