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

The boy started to his feet as ne
spoke to be again thrust back.
when, Eddy?"
"Soon's he'd licked me for swipin'
the whisky"
did he say where he was going?'
Gus any old place clear o woman
n kids"
We'll find him, never you fear!
How does your mother treat you?"
"She hain't got no time fer me,
what wild diggin' n cryin' n workin
wild the little kids. She says all she
wants O. me is to keep out O. her
way"
A long silence followed Judge
Findley's eyes wide and unseeing, as
troubled thought went on behind the
fixed inner absorption of his glance.
Eddie, my heart goes out to you,
my poor boy, and I feel that you're
not to blame for much of your wrong
doing. But you've got to be correct
ed and helped, If they hadn't got af-
ter me when I was kid Id have got
into bigger troubles, troubles they
want to keep you out of. too
Eddie perched on the very edge of
the chair with eyes deVouring His
Honor's face, but ears closed to the
pity of the firm voice because of a
great roaring. A faint grayness
tinged the wan, unchildlike face.
Because I believe it for your good
shall send you to the School of De-
tention, here in Denver, for one
month. 1t is under the charge of a
very kind woman, who will see that
you are kept warm, we'll fed and
cared for. There'll be no chance to
get into any trouble, and in this way
hope to keep you out of the Indus
trial School at Golden. When the
month is up we'll see what is best"
The child pushed close to the court,
his cheeks hot with fleeting glow,
the eyes big with excitement. while
eager pleading hands were out
stretched.
"Oh, Jedge! Please, Jedge-"
"Brace up, Ed, and take it like the
man know you can be! Don't beg"
But, Jedge, please, won't yer
please to make it a year? I'd ruth
er@"
The Judge started, leaning toward
the child as he paused, but Eddie
went white, clutching at the table for
support. Swinging the reeling little
figure into chair Judge Findley held
water to the boys lips. Low-voiced,
gentle words sought to penetrate the
giddy whirl of Eddie's thoughts, but
these alone made an impression:
You need not go back to your
home, my boy, at the end of the
month Ii you still feel as you do.
Well find better home, little chas!"
The child closed his eyes and .:cver
knew that his head rested against
Judge Findley's arm or that the po-
tent power of a patient, virile tender
ness upbore his stumbling little life,
never to be withdrawn while great
heart or clever brain throbbed with
in this man who remembered his own
boyhood.
Then the world cleared and stead
led as something hot and beefy was
forced down upon him by a tender,
womanly hand. He dimly heard the
next case. called and wondered
dreamily why the "Jedge" sat with
eyes covered by his hand.
We'll be going, Eddie. Can you
walk to the car, dear boy?'N asked
Mrs. Bright, of the Detention Home,
bending over her new charge with
motherly tenderness.
"Sure!" with plucky cheer.
She held him so tight under one
arm while leading him past His
Honor that the boy looked up'with a
feeble attempt at "josAin'."
"On the square, ma'am, won't
work no bluff an give We the Slip"
He thought the whirling must be
returning as he cast look of fare
we'll at Judge Findley, for the blurred
smile in the shadowed eyes of His
Honor was not the clear one he knew.
National Children's Home Finder.