New-York tribune., 1902-12-21

playing craps, I'll fine you all the money you
have got'
Handing the nickel to the clerk, the justice
said: You take this money. 1t is a small fine,
but 1t will benefit the county" and the youthful
crap shooter" left the witness stand thoroughly
satisfied that he had received the worth of his
money in justice. When another boy took the
stand he did so in fear and trembling He did
not look at the justice more than he was
obliged to, but judges in the Children's Court
blessed with good memories.
Weren't you here once before?" asked the
justice eyng him closely.
Eyes, sir" reluctantly admitted the little pris-
oner.
And wasn't there Sunday school teacher
spoke for you then?" continued the justice.
Yes sir" again admitted the youth.
You see. 1 have good memory, haven't I?''
But the little defendant was too deeply ab-
sorbed in study of the woodwork Of the
Justices desk to pass any opinion upon mem
ories.
His story was an interesting one. He said he
was not playing craps He had just gone where
the game going on to get some money one
of the boys playing owed him. He had loaned 1t
to the other boy Saturday night when they
went to a Third-ave. theatre together.
Two little Hebrew urchins were a picturesque
pair.
II hang in that block" sobbed one of them, by
way of explaining his presence in the vicinity
of the place of his arrest.
And when Justice Mayer commented. You
may hang here before you get through" the
lads eyes bulged out like door knobs
II only throwed stone" sobbed the next
little culprit to face the judge.
Yes" commented the judge but. you see,
that stone made all this trouble. Now,
when you go to work 1 want you to promise
to cents win
1t isn't the price of the windows care about,
but you must learn to respect other peoples
property. Now. will you do it?"
Sobbing If his heart would break the little
fellow agreed, and learned that under those
conditions sentence in his case would be sus-
pended three months.
The next called a enough chill
dren's case A demure little miss who could
barely see the judges desk, appeared as
complainant against two ragged little urchins Of
about the size. A Celestial with almond
eyes and an absent air appeared as the principal
witness.
The little miss said she went to Sunday school
when the judge questioned her. She wouldn't
dare tell lie. she said, because If she did she
would be put away"
The testimony to the effect that the little
miss went to the Chinaman's laundry for her
mothers wash; that she laid two-dollar bill on
the counter, and while the Chinese proprietor
was hunting for the bundle the defendants
with malicious intent "swiped' the bill and
skipped"
But foIlyed EN- said the little maid with
a proud little toss of her head. and Justice
Mayer said:
Well, young gentlemen, the moral Of that is
not to steal money from so bright little girl"
The Celestial in the background gave vent TO a
coy smile and nod of approval. Then the man
OF collars and cuffs took the witness stand and
told the narrowing tale afresh.
"Oh, yes, we have serious cases." said an Of
fcer OF the court Don't think that because
they are Juvenile they are all frivolous. Why
since the opening of this court. in September, we
have had boys here on the charge Of murder.
I think the worst case we have had though was
that OF boy who. although only fifteen years
old, had alias. Here is his record: Ar
rested in 1896 for picking pockets. sentence sus-
pended; November %, 1890 fined SO for dis
orderly conduct: May. 3. 1900. the charge OF
attempting to steal watch. discharged for lack
of evidence; November Is. 1900, on the charge
of stealing a pocketbook containing SIS, con-
victed and sent to the House OF Refuge; October
1902, for stealing pocketbook. At the time
three watches were found him. He had his
hand in a mans pocket when arrested. He was
sent to the House of Refuge. and is there yet.
well, sir. when that boys up in
this court he fought like wildcat and it took