Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-10-20

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 well as in the
eyes of the court officials, their nat
ural 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 a knowing leer at the
boys he turned out of range.
At Judge Findley's entrance the
glasses were pocketed by common
impulse. His brief address to the
boys, couched in language intelligi-
BILE to the most benighted, was fol-
lowed by the taking of reports and a
partial 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, weazenfaced, 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, a genial warmth light
ing his tired face, as he passed
hand over his own thinning hair.
TITS 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-
looms, 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 1t be true, Eddie, after all |
my talk about this most serious Of |
fense?"
The tow-head nodded, while the
downcast, hungry eyes remained
fixed, in vague concentration upon his
shoes, through which bare toes
poked.
Did your father send you to buy
liquor?"
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-
fngly 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 1 gave
you another chance?"
A mute assent was given.
well, 1 have done my part,
haven't 1? Answer mel"
Eyes, 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?"
Eyes, Jedge"-and slight culver
of life stirred the little stoic's face.
Have you no excuse, my boy, for
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
Their 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 m
druv wild blows to the s'loons goes
for somepen--I thought I'd forgit fer
spell-like pan t felt warm
then l run up agin the COP"
Ibid your mother try and prevent
your going to the saloon?"
mo, Jedge."
when did you eat last?"
The question was almost inaudible
''Yisteddy :rornin'."
Every trace of gentleness fed
from the Judges face as he leaned
eagerly toward the officer:
Swear out a warrant for the faith
er and mother of this boy, charging
them with contributing to a delin-
quency. / hold them more guilty
than their son. You will also get the
name and address of that saloon
keeper who dares break the juvenile
laws OF this State"
pas skipped, ledge"
The boy started to his feet as he
spoke to be again thrust back.
when, Eddy?"
"Soon's he'd licked me for swipin'
the whisky"
did he say where he was golng?"
Jus any old place clear O. woman
m kids!"
Wen find him, never you fear!
How does your mother treat your"
she hain't got no time fer me.
what wild diggin' n cryin' m workin'
wild the little kids. She says all she
wants o. me is to keep out O. her
way"
A long ailence follnwad Tud.a