Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-29
AGED MOTHERS PLEA.
Asks for Mercy at Portland for Way
ward Son.

Portland, Me, April 2S.-There was
an imp essive and interesting sceEe.
this morning, after the regular session
of the municipal court. A man had
been convicted of drunkenness. There
was no mistake about the matter and
q fine of s. and costs had been imposed
by Judge Hill.
His aged mother and q sister were
in court. His wife could not come The
women appealed to the Judge to at
least throw off The fine. The respondent
is a poor man, and all the money he
can earn is needed at home.
The respondent said but little for
himself, and there was but little he
could have said. He stood there wait
ing for results.
George don't drink all the tina, "
said his aged mother. in Il broken way.
He only gets drunk occasionally"
How often?" asked Judge Hill.
About once il three months" she
replied.
The matter Of his record was brought
I'D and tho man admitted that he had
been previously arrested.
"Eut you didn't stay at the station
ell of the night, did you, George" said
his mother.
Il wasn't before the court" he re-
Piled
Judge Hill looked ut him and said
Did liquor ever 90 you any real
good?"
The respondent seemed to be doing
some hard thinking. AT last he said,
Il don't think So
Does it help any working man to
make a living" said Judge Hill.
1t was evidently to be n season of
sclf-eXlminatiOn for the respondent.
he had seen something of the world,
narrow View it might be, but still.
something. and he had known many
mel
Il don't think So" he said ut last.
You have a Wife," said the court.
Eyes"
And three children"
Yes
They go to school?"
'Yce'
And your wife has friends?"
YES"
DE you think that your way Of living
helps them? Don't you know that your
children are ashamed of their father?
Don't you know that your wife can't go
out among her friends while you are
drinking? Don't you know that it is a
disgrace to be a drunkard?"
Il don't think my wife likes to have me
drink" said the respondent.
Judge Hill decided to allow the respon-
dent to pay the costs only. but added: Il
think | shall require you to take the
pledge for a year"
Il don't reed to-" said the respondent
Il can stop drinking if I've Il mind to
do it.
You must take the pledge. George.
dear" said his mother with a qUivering
voice. You 80 right in and take it and
Wen wait for you here
Inspector Pickett took the man in
charge. ana he signed the pledge ana
then paid the costs. 1t took all the mon
ey he had. even to the last cent. and then
he walked out with his faithful mother
aged woman said: We'll all help you
keep it, George. if you will and then
the door closed but they evidently will
do their best to help him. if he will only
help himself.
Outside of that one incident the pro-
ceedingS. this morning, were tame enough
and that incident occurred after the close
of the regular session.
Two men Were before the court on n
charge of having been Intoxicated, and
were convicted. y tine was imposed and
up to a late hour had not been paid.
"Hc had so. last week said young
fellow referring to prisoner. That
might have been so, but he did not have
| it, this morning.
The official record disposed Of another
| case in this way: John Il. whitney: IL e.
gally having birds in his possession; paid
S. and costs.
| 1t was rather an interesting case. how
ever. MIR. Whitney. who is Il good citizen,
| shot 4 heron. and supposed he had right
| To do So. He was found with itin his
posst sSion and displayed it without the
| least idea that he had been doing any
| thing wrong.
| Lawyer Moulton said few words ex-
| planning the situation. and he was there
as a friend Of Mr.. Whitney, and not as
AN attorney. Mr.. Whitney said that of
| course he had no idea or desire to break
| the law, and in imposing the fine OF s.
| and costs the court took into conSidera-
ton the fact that the temptation Is som
| times great. and that our many mighty
hunters before the Lord, our modern MIN
| rods need to lie reminded that they must
| respect the close time.
! There was a brief pause. The court
consulted with the marshal and deputies
and then said: NO further business be
fore the court, and the spectators nleu
out into the rain, their morning bit oil
excitement over. and to some citizens the
| session of the court is real amusement