The Washington times., 1901-12-08
PATHETIC PLEA
OF A PRISONER
Sad Story Of Life Ruined
by Drink.
ANXIOUS FOR A CHANCE TO REFORM
Says He Has Spent Every Decem-
Der % for the Past Five Years
in the Workhouse "A Letter
to Judge Kimban.

For five consecutive years have
spent Christmas Day in the worShouse. I
long to be with my family next Christmas.
want to reform. and believe that to have
them near me on that day would help me
to keep my resolve to dc better"
This is the concluding paragraph OF a
letter received by Judge KimbaIl from
George Harper, who is serving a sixty
day sentence for vagrancy in the work.
house Harper was sent down on No
vember 8, and with the time allowance
OIL. he will get out Of custody on Deeem-
Der &c.
He pleads that his sentence may be re-
duced so he can go free Christmas MORN
ing. Judge Kimball. as well as the work.
house authorities. consider Harper a., al
most hopeless dipsomaniac. and for that
reason the juIge said he was in a quau-
dairy whether or not to aceede TO Hs.-
per's request
Ihe latter has been an inmate OF the
workhouse off and on tor the last six
years, and during that period has barely
been a free man for more than week
| at time. He was released on Move, ber
3. and three days later was again \ pm
oner in the Police Court.
Comes OF Good Family.
Harper comes Of good family in Uti.a.
y. Y. His mother, for a time was en-
Ployed in the Government Printing Office.
but her sons escapades became so fire.
quent that. ashamed of the publicity he
caused her, she left the city.
Yesterday evening a Times reporter
talked with Harper in his cell at the
W0rkhOuse. and 1t was sad story he told
OF ms wasted life. He is a short. stocky
niue man. and appeared scrupulously
elean' that is clean as a man can look
in the dingy suit of gridiron stripes he
wore; the livery of his shame.
Mine is not the only hard-luck story
here, said Harper. There's all kinds of
tragedies penned up in this place If you
only knew it.
Remorscfui In the Evening.
I'm all right in the daytime and when
60 to bed; but at this time of the even
ing l go dahy. Want iomehow or other
to be free
Harper walked 10 the window. and
looked long and earnestly at the pano-
rama of the sunset. The fierce red OF the
skyline was broken BY chimney stacks
OF iron against the western heavens. The
wind howled an eerie refrain against the
building. and over the black stretch of
marsh lands surrounding 1t.
1t was dismal. the silence broken now
and then by the fierce yells of a drunk
en- negress in a cell near by, demanding
the bloody eyes and the bloody heart
and the bloody soul of some man against
whom she had grievance that could only
be washed out in gore. -
DO you wonder a feller feels some
times like taking the short route? asked
Harper. morosely. They sing here on
Sunday that 'Salvation's free Sos death
I'm glad to say
story of His Downfall
Harper said his drinking first started
as pleasure; then lowered into vice,
and was now a disease. 1t was almost
like reading a rough version of Charles
Lambs Confessions OF a Drunkard' in
the Essays Of Ella" to hear Har-er
tell of his struggles against drink.
Il hate the stuff" he growled, pacing
up and down the cell nervously
Say. 1t makes me tired when I hear
some of these temperance guys speak
about the appetite for rum. | don't want
1t in my throat. l don't want it in nv
head. but how do want it in my stomach
he morning after.
The Physical side Discussed.
Its all right for the mer with the Iiv-
,rs and stomachs made of iron. who get a
Jun On at night, saying a man don't need
drink in the morning and then getting
chesty' and saying why. look at me- l had
beaut on last night. and feel fine ns silk
oday. Yes, that's all right for them.
nut how about poor devils like me that
aust have pint of liquor before they can
ieep a fried egg on their stomach. when
hey'ye been up against it,
One Mors Effort to Reform.
Harper swore fervently that if the Judge
rould let him out as he had requested. he
-as going to make one more effort to re-
orm.
I'm going to cut It out" he declared.
nd go to work repairing panos-that's
~ trade-and live decently with my wife
nd children. Say, and il you'll put in a
ood word for me with the judge. maybe.
won't thank you"
The greatest con ever" was the COM
ient of one OF the officials downstairs,
'hen he was asked about Harper
"Pcor George. he's not five minutes out
{ here before he's sparring for drinks.
nd when he gets one then it's Good-by.
.verything goes until he winds up here,
baking like that tree out there.
I've seen his poor old mother get down
n her knees right here in this room and
all on God TO save her boy from drink,
hilc George stood by crying fit to kill
Il dent know who is TO blame in the
latter'' concluded the Official, making
ipc stopper Of his little finger. but
gorge isn't saved yet. and as much as
Il like to see him brace up. I'll bet
hen he gets out he'll have drink in his
.stem FIVE minutes after the doors swing
ear OF him"