The San Francisco call., 1903-12-02
COURT MAKES SURE THAT FEMALE
VAGRANT SHALL NOT ELUDE HIM
Police Judge Mogan PrecIudes All Possibility of
Grace Austin, Chronic Offender, Repeating Her
Favorte Act of Leaving Her Bondsmen to Settle

SASC SuNSe 0AOSdu 6dSpCus IuOOSO
his eyes and gasped again when he
glanced at his docket yesterday morn
ing and saw among the names and
charges inscribed thereon, "Grace Aus
tin, vagrancy." Pointing to the name
with eager finger. he turned to Clerk
Pundt and whispered:
Can it be?"
she are" was the flippart reply.
The Judge smiled grimly and said no
more about Grace Austin. vagrancy,"
until a frowzled female of uncertain
age stood before him and falteringly
tried TO meet his stern and reproving
eye.
"so here you are again" he said. ''on
the same old charge"
YES, your Honor" murmured the
defendant.
Then a policeman told Of how he had
arrested the woman because he discov-
cred she had no visible means Of hon
est maintenance, and an attorney was
about to cross-examine the policeman
when the court intervened.
Hold on" he said: Il sentence the
defendant to six months in the County
Z: jail. Now, Mr. Pleader, you may make
your argument"
No argument was made, Of course,
and Grace Austin was removed from
the courtroom.
'T could not afford to take any
chances of that woman eluding jus
tice?'' said the Judge. in explanation
Of HIS summary action. She is
chronic yagrant beyond doubt, and she
is also a convicted thief, likewise a bail
jumper. Several months ago she was
before me on. charge of larceny and
1 admitted her TO bail pending a con-
tinuance of the case. She did not ap-
pear on the appointed date and her
bondsmen found themselves victims OF
misplaced confidence.
Since then. have ascertained, she
was up before Judge Cabaniss on
similar charge and escaped punishment
In a similar way. She has earned the
sobriquet of The vanishing lady, but
she will not live up to her title for six
menths anyway"
eixteen-year-old Tommy Kerwin
wanted TO be a desperado, and evident
IL thought he was one when he de-
serted his widowed mothers humble
home in Sunshine alley and suoslstea
on bread and milk stolen from door
stems and slept in hay barn. He was
caught in the act of pilfering his break
fast one morning about two weeks ago,
and when Police Judge Mogan allowed
him 10 go free on probation he seemed
70 he repentant. His farinaeeous fare
must have become monotonous, how
ever. for yesterday he was before the
same tribunal on charge OF having
stolen. candy from store. His mother
was In the courtroom.
What are you trying to do, Tom
-my?' inquired the Judge. Break into
the penitentiary?"
Tommy tried TO look defiant, even
when his mother wept. The Judge
eyed him keenly.
"As you appear to be incorrigible
must send you to the Reform School
and see that you are kept there until
you decide to be an honest boy"
-.Tommy's fortitude melted in blub-
Der and he implored the court to give
him another chance. Il will stay at
home and steal no more, Judge; indeed
I won't" he sobbed. The mother also
prayed the court 10 OSdi ieliithAiy WIN
her wayward son, and her appeal evil
IDENTIFY had more effect than his prom
ises.
Il am sorry for you." said the Judge,
addressing the weeping woman, for
you appear TO be a good mother. And
/ do not want TO send your lad to
prison. although he seems determined
TO force an entrance there. So you
may take him home with you, and,
turning to the boy and shaking
threatening finger. IF you come be-
fore me again 1 will send you to the
Reform School sure. Until further or
ders you must come to me once a week
and satisfy me that you are living
honestly"
With the mothers thanks and the
sons sobs OF gratitude ringing in his
ears the. Judge instructed the clerk to
call the next case.