Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1908-11-19

punishment. | kept my eye on this
couple Experience told me that one
had come 10 make some complaint OF
the others treatment; but. familiar as
! was with real guilt. / knew that Il
did not belong 10 either. When l had
disposed OF he bulk of my cases
called the couple before me and with
out Inviting either 10 state the diff
Guilty between them / asked.
How long have you two been mar
ried:"
Just one year today" replied the
girl sadly
And this is the anniversary Of your
wedding day. You come here with
what you consider trouble. Do you
know that you have no trouble:"
There was no reply to this Both
stood mutely belying my statement by
the misery Of their appearance and the
expression on their faces.
How old are youi" asked the hus-
/ band
Nineteen, your honor"
And YOU Of the girl
Seventeen"
/ What should / do with this boy and
girl TO turn their antagonism into for
giveness and affections Suddenly It
came TO me as an inspiration from
heaven.
''Sit down there, side by side, and
think pleasant things OF each other.
Mind you are not to think anything
disa greeable. If such things come into
your heads, drive them out at once and
begin again on something affectionate :"
They did rs | bid them. while pro
ceeded with the remaining cases tc
come before me. I still had my eye
on them and found them an interesting
study Tho husband sat for awhile
with "A lowering brow. but he was evi
IDENTITY trying to do my bidding, sand
after awhile | noticed that it had re-
Taxed. The wife apparently found Il
easier to think pleasantly Of him, and
presently saw her steal a glance az
him. 1t was anxious, pleading. loving
His hand was on the seat and partly
covered 10y her skirts. Hers disap
peared from view. and | knew that II
rested on his. | waited a moment =
see if he would withdraw his. and
when he did not ! knew that the cas-,
was won.
a pleasurable feeling came over my
hardened judicial heart. and looking
from this comparatively innocent pair
TO creatures into whom only divinity
could inject mite OF the good. !
wished that ! might be endowed With
such divine power. | sent one who
had Inherited sin and had lived since
birth IN It's environment to jail, anoth-
or 10 the workhousc third dismissed
with warming. Men and women
even children. disposed Of mercllessly
Then when had attended To all J
called the young couple before me-.
This IS the anniyer Any OF your
wedding" | said. = gu remember
how happy You were on that day
You remember" to the husband. how
pretty she looked. Well she Is as
pretty today. only senseless bicker-
ings have kept you from work. and she
is not so we'll dressed. And you" &c
the wife. don't bother bin about I'M
important things, nor importune him.
but dust trouble off him every day as
you dust your rooms. II is the wife's
part. Now go and celebrate your first
wedding anniversary"
They turned away. but l noticed that
there was something on the mans
mind The wife came back and whis-
pered TO me:
4. 70
] put my hand In my pocket and
drew forth some bills This is for
the supper" ] said. land this for the
alter tickets. Have a good time and
don't ever come here again on such an
errand"
abashed hook. while his young wife's
face was wreathed IN smiles As
looked ut them / felt the justice in
my charge 10 the girl that it was her
part to ward trouble from her hus-
band. Whatever he felt he had no nbil-
ity TO show. what she felt was as plain
as the sun in heaven.
The case. though different from the
thousands that came before me and re
freshing as it was. had passed out OF
nv mind when one day on taking my
seat for my days work saw on my
deskea cheap glass vase containing a
bunch Of ordinary flowers. Before II
rested card on which was written
"From the garden of our happy home.
Second wedding anniversary Of John
and Mary Hilton
Having no remembrance OF John and
Mary Hilton. ! gazed at the plebeian
gift puzzled Looking up saw at the
farther end of the courtroom girl
waving a handkerchief and smiling.
Her face was familiar. and knew she
was bent on attracting my attention.
Then n came over me that she was one
Of the couple ] had by my simple ex-
pedent saved from marital separa-
ton aud It's consequent miseries.
once year ! find flowers on my
desk. and once a year ] am buoyed to
endure the melancholy work which
Providence has assigned me.
EDMOND COMPTON,