New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-10
THEIR LITTLE TRAGEDIES.
DIR. VOn BrieSen Listens to Woes as
Told IN Children's Court.

I think this Children's Court is great lnsutu-
ton" said Arthur Won Briesen. president OF tho
Legal Aid Society. at the close of yesterdays ses-
sion. BY invitation of Judge Joseph NJ. Deuel.. Mr.
Won Briesen attended the court yesterday. sitting
at the judges right hand from the very beginning
through to the final "Oyez. Oyer"
AS luck would have it. Yesterday was about the
hghtest day in the history of the Childrens Court
there being fewer arrests in December-by some
strange ordering of circumstance-than in any other
month of the year
Abraham S." sings out the clerk, and little
chap climbs UP in front of the judge. followed by
his mother. anxious woman. Abraham is
charged with having stolen something at school
1t is his first offence The mother eager to keep
her boy with her.
well. Abraham" says Judge Deuel. I'm going
to,give you another chance. I'm going to parole
you till January IL" Abraham and his mother
walk out of the courtroom to start life again.
glimmer OF a smile on their poor. pinched faces.
Jennie James Francis Joseph Margaret F-p'
cries the clerk. He says 1t IN breath. II II
were all one person. but there Is a child behind
each name. They stream up onto the tiny plat
forr-a pathetic little procession. with kind heart
ed Officer William Heating helping UP the nttlest
ones. and the unkempt mother shutting along in
the rear. She is bareheaded. but wears a crushed
velvet cape over her dirty blue waist
These children are here because the Gerry people
can't find that they have anything worth calling a
home or anything to speak of in the way of par
ents.
Last Monday in all that snowstorn the family
was dispossessed-put out on the sidewalk There
are nine children. The father has Just returned
from term on the Island" The mother has a
variously assorted record. Three of the children
were in q mission at one time. The family had
been in this country only month or two when
one Of the boys got into hot water and was sent to
the Catholic Protectory The mother not long ago
asked to have two Of the children sent the Islard
to be cared for.
Your family has given the court good deal of
trouble" remarks Judge Deuel.. fixing the woman
with his kind. keen eyes.
Il know they have" she nurbles hack
Il shall want to both you and vour husband
before let the children go with you" saws the
court Both Of you to appear before me next
Monday at 10 o'clock. Meanwhile the Gerry so
ciety will take charge of the children"
John ON, eleven. and Annie ON six have
no home. Their sster-the pale Young girl IN
oIack who is with them and has asked to have
them put away somewhere" because the wages
she earns in a candy factory will not support all
three-has tears in her blue eyes She suggests the
Catholic Protectory.
/ think not. cuts in the court "Thev'rs too
young. Besides. you want them where Won can
see them easily" They are sent to the Mission If
'le immaculate Virgin Staten Island the elder
e1is Crying bitterly at the prospect of separation
tTte faces the judge her ne cut sensitive feat
brought her in for shelter Case held over "e''''S
ne gu f men Two children of the tenements. with
GcioIheS-George B. and Louis S. I'D for petty
ldFceny. one OF them has ferret eyes crafty and
S 81 under his low forehead Both are hideous-
ToN When did you have bath ast? asks Howard
INK OF the humor OF the situation the delhi
qIII'S sQulrm and wriggle in embaTra ssuept
mere is a dreadful punishment in store for
you, continues the lawyer, sternly, his eyes
tSwlhKHng. they look scared. You're going to
Ihey glance at their hands, grmy with weeks
OF hith' and their faces wreathe in smiles. Pc
VI have been very deeply IMPRESSED with what
l have seem" said Mr.. Won BTiesen when court
was adjourned u think the people should be
Out the problem and created this court. Without
nave grown up would have continued and grown
more serious AS it Is. only are the children
tut IN the right way, but their parents are also
II was uncertain before to the. attitude of the
Gerry society, and its exact position toward the
court ara the community. What l have observed
renders II very clear u me that the said society
is IN most loyal fashion standing by Maynard
children as their protector. Any impression which
may have gone abroad as to any other motives I'M
DERIVING the society's action has no foundation
whatever I am glad to have observed this fact
1t will lead In many to the loyal cooperation
of the Legal Aid Society with the Gerry society
The Children's Court is beautiful institution. I
wish it had better room"