The Washington times., 1908-03-17

Afaldenly reserve is rated as a gilt-edge
accomplishment, but there are times
men it pays TO loosen up and talk
about oneself. If ragged little Margaret
LaTkiIs had been a trine more com
munieativa when on the stand In one
OF the District courts. charged with
INSTRUMENTATION OF a poclIetbOOk con-
tanning So. 40. she might have spent a
more pleasant evening. As it was, she
got what was coming to her in the way
of locally applied energy and percus-
sior ct the hands OF an irate parent. by
order of the court.
Margaret is a small pickaninny for
her twelve years. She came into court
with two little pig-tails standing
straight out from behind her large ears,
which twitched and Topped convulsive-
" throughout her trial. Her large,
mournful black eyes were almost con-
SANITY covered by lids that dropped
coyIy. Her. generous mouth wobbled at
Tie corners. but opened not. save to
permit the insertion Of the greater part
Of one hand.
PurlOined Lady's Purse.
Witnesses testified that the coy one
had gone TO a certain white lady's'
house with her mother TO assist in re-
turning the weeks washing. While
there Margaret found time 10 slip up
stairs. Topsy like. and remove from
the boudoir Of the mistress Of the
household a purse containing $40
The money was recovered, less 10
cents. which Margaret had disposed CT
. ia some manner. The question was
two-fold. What did Margaret herself
think of her act; and what did Mar
garet herself wish TO do 20 overcome
the apparent tendency toward high
finance?
To obtain the answers, II was OF
course necessary for the judge presid-
ing 20 hold conversation with the youth
1ul Culprit His efforts 10 insull the
germ of OratOry in the squirting Mar
Earet were commcndable, and deserved
greater appreciation
Margaret Withdrew her fist from her
nav looked at heI inquisitOr, lowered
those lids, and coQueJushly twisted
herself into perfect imitation OF a
spiral staircase. The question was re-
peated and again repeated. with eEpa-
tiatiOns upon It's meaning and the adOp-
ton OF such simple and direct phrases
as: did you take The money
AT each repetition Margarets embar-
rassment grew more obvious, until at
length the court desisted, upon being
informed that the defendant had pre-
viOusly admitted the 'azllt 10 her mother
and others.
Made Herself S22.4O.
When called 10 the chair beside the
Judge to have the usual nice little chat
with him about what was TO become of
her, and why she did it, and would
she promise. and all the rest Of the
dialogue that precedes the decisions in
these juvenile cases, Margaret per-
formed such unique stunts in the way
Of contortion Of face and figure as
would, with practice, make her fame
and fortune In 'VOdeveal.'
Now, Margaret began the Judge,
what did YOU make yourself when you
took this money Pr
After a few moments OF tense ST.
Ience the question was repeated, until,
after the most violent effort on her
para AIargaret's lips Jwitched and she
bTeathed forth the words:
'Ggggllug.'
You don't know2" repeated the Judge
quoting her through the exercise OF
some miraculous telepathiC powers
Eyes, you do know. Tell me, what die
YOU make VOurselfE'
twenty-five dlars,' Margaret man
ageC 10 gasp. and then her entire hand
disappeared, as though bitten of at the
wrist