The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-10-31
BY MARY TALBOT CAMPBELL.

ing of the Juvenile Court threw he1
fur coat over the back of chair, be-
hind which sat a row of little proba-
tioners. Small hands stroked the
Jackets smooth softness, while low
toned bets were exchanged as to the
xind of animal it had once adorned.
Finally emboldened by the smiling
face. turned partially toward them,
3ne youngster asks:
"Say, what's it made outer?"
Seal"
Gee! Real or play?"
A rosy flush mounted to her brow,
as feigning deafness she lifted her
merry eyes to the round reflections
dancing in wild gyrations of light
over the ceiling of the great room.
A majority of the lads came armed
with circular mirrors which they
flushed in the sun as we'll as in the
eyes of the court officials, their nat
lral prey.
There's the old Tramway cop, the
fat Phoenix! Give it i'm in the eye!"
The good natured officer blinked in
more senses than one at the dazzling
glare, as with knowing leer at the
boys he turned out of range.
At Judge Findley's entrance the
glasses were pocketed by common
impulse. His brier address to the
boys, couched in language intelligi-
BILE to the most benighted, was fol-
bowed by. the taking of reports and a
parIal clearing of the room, as the
first case on the crowded docket was
called. At 2.30 Eddie Collins name
was called, bringing forward a white
headed, weazen-faced, bony child,
with eyes too big for his odd little
phiz.
'Tow-head." was heard from some
of the waiting boys, as the little fell
low stepped before the Judge. His
Honor smiled, genial warmth light
ing his tired face, as he passed a
hand over his own thinning hair.
Its better to be tow-headed than
bald-headed any day! Isn't it Ed
.die?"
An old, automatic smile wrinkled
the thin little face, but no humor lit
the solemn eyes - and the Judge
sighed with renewed WEAKNESS as he
demanded the charges against the
child. Eddie stood toeing in and out
with an absent minded monotony.
drunkenness and frequenting sa-
icons, Your Honor" answered the
probation officer.
A heavy frown lowered between
Judge Findley's clear, dark eyes,
which despite all, still held some
message of faith and hope for every
little chap who sought it there.
''Can it be true, Eddie, after all
my talk about this most serious Of
.tense?"
The tow-head nodded, while the
.iowncast, hungry eyes remained
fixed, in vague concentration upon his
shoes, through which bare toes
poked.
did your father send you to buy
uiquor?"
Again the silently bowed head.
HE committed grave crime, but
was that any reason why you should
drink the whisky even if you had to
buy it,"
No answer.
Look at me, boy!"
Eyes of dumb pain gazed unwink-
dngly from the stolid, changeless face.
aren't you one of the boys that
promised to help me hold down my
job by playing square, after I gave
you another chance?"
A mute assent was given.
"Well, I have done my part,
haven't I? Answer mel"
"Yes, Jedge!"
But how about you, Ed? Have
you any further claim on my patience
and faith"
mo, Jedge!"
you know what this means, Ed
die?"
8 - "Yes, Jedge''-and a slight quiver
of life stirred the little stoic's face.
Have you no excuse, my boy, fol-
breaking your word and going back
on the man who has been your
friend?"
Hope died hard with Judge Find,
ley.
[ mo, less'n" - the great eyes
burned in hot scrutiny over the in.
tent, listening faces of the other boys
"Bailiff, take those children fur.
ther back. Come close, my boy"
She of the fur coat was thankful
for keen hearing and nearness to the
judge, as alert, with downcast eyes
she waited, engulfed in waves of pity
for the boy.
"Less'n being cold n hungry n
druv wild blows to the s'loons goes
for somepen-I thought I'd forgit fel
spell-like pa-'n' t felt warm
then I run up agin the COP"
Did your mother try and prevent
your going to the saloon?"
mo, Jedge.'
when did you eat last"
The question was almost inaudible
"Yisteddy .,:ornin'."
Every trace Of gentleness flet
from the Judges face as he leaned
eagerly toward the officer:
Swear out 4 warrant for the faith
er and mother OF this boy, charging
hem with contributing to a deffn
,uency. | hold them more guilt.
han their son. You will also get tn,
anne and address Of that saloon