Evening star., 1905-11-11

passed his residence. and who wanted the
commissioners to require the company to
cnange It's schedule A woman in the hum
pier walks OF life complained that the sewer
pipe at her home was stopped up ano
wanted 1t cleaned and renovated; the owner
OF suburban subdivision who wanted te
know when the streets were to be lnl-
proved, and prospective builders with plats
OF subdivisions they desired approved. -
"A number of callers who had important
matters to bring to the attention OF tne
commissioners were admitted to see MIN
and others with a secretive air OF lms
portance (who usually wanted situations
and who insisted on seeing the Commis-
sioner personally were also shown in. -.
x
Good stories are continually cropping out
of that period of the life of the Washington
Police Court when its destnies were pre-
sided over by the late Judge Tom Miller,
whose love for a good story became proven
bial. On one occasion a venerable-looking
man was charged with vagrancy, and the
policeman testified that the prisoner had
been found begging from door to door. ~
Hes a genuine hobo, SIR added the
poll eman, and he has the kEack of tell
ing touching stories in more senses than
one in order to reach the sympathy and
purse of the mark he has selected to pam
handle
The prisoner was called to the stand to
testify in his own behalf or ito make a
statement" as 1t is more generally termed
Clerk Harper turned toward the old man
to administer the oath, and, noticing that
both of his hands We're hanging listessly
at his side, commanded:
Raise your right hand, sir, and be
sworn"
Cant do 1t. pard," was the old fellow s
CHEEKY reply.
Why not?" asked the clerk.
cause left that arm on the battle
field of Antietam, sir. in the fiery days of
the sixties what tried mems souls. SIR was
the reply as the prisoner shook his empty
sleeve toward the court
More likely you left IT in. some man
trap or had it cut off while trying to steal
ride on side-door Pullman. said Judge
Miller with one of those quizzical smiles
for which he was noted. Swear him with
his left arm up, Mr.. Harper"
x X +
He was about fourteen years of age and
was evidently on his way to school. He
had his seat by the side of the coachman
In livery in the high cart and was reading
the morning paper as the housekeeping
horse pranced along the avenue sturdy
enough looking fellow, he had a bright face
and looked as If he might amount to some
thing IL he had a chance.
That boy is to be pitied" said a man
who was walking downtown to his busi-
ness. and watched the vehicle as It rolled
along. He may have strength enough of
character TO resist the enerVdtlng influence
of having everything provided for him and
not. being comDelled to exert himself, but it
Is very doubtful.
when 1 was boy I started out from
my home with a bundle OF books and
walked a mile and a half in order to get
to school, and Independent of the exercise
| was using my own resources instead of
being carried along by some one else. The
boy is an example Of what l call the abuse
of money and not it's right use With the
money 1t Is evident his father can provide
him with, how he could increase his facili-
ties for getting an education or for build
ing up his body as well his mind, In
stead of indulging in mere luxury which
only saps the will power and deprives him
of ambition" d"
Lewis l. O'Neal one of the District JUS
tlces of the peace. was surprised one morn
ing last week when he was tapped on the
shoulder by an elegantly dressed man as
he was leaving an office building.
'I suppose, Judge" said the stranger.
you don't remember me-"
II can't say that do admitted the mag
istrate, but your face seems familiar
You ought to know me-" said the stran-
ger, "for you saved my life"
Saved your life?" queried the magistrate.
taking an interest in the stranger.
Yes" said the well-dressed and prosper
ous-looking man, you saved my life."
He then related the circumstances at
tending his arrest and trial about three
years ago, when Magistrate ONeal was act
ing Judge of the Police Court and his re-
cital OF the facts recalled the incident to
the judge. The man was victim OF intem-
perance and when he appeared In court
three or four policemen were there to tell
of his alleged shortcomings. An earnest
plea was made by the man who was in
custody, and he made all kinds of promises.
But" said the police. Ibis promises
amount to nothing. There's no use in let
ting him CO.
The policemen seemed anxious to get the
man in prison, but the judge saw spark
of hope IN the unfortunate man and said to
the policemen: I'm going to give him an
other chance, anyhow"
Thanking the judge for his kindness and
repeating his promise to keep sober. the
man to whom the judge had extended mercy
walked out OF court.
While standing before you that morn
ing" said the reformed man the other day,
II made up my mind that if 1 were sent
down to the workhouse again l would end
my existence. and I'm afraid L would have
done 1t. You see now how you saved my
life"