New-York tribune., 1912-03-12
BOY
HELPS PLEAD CASE
Mothers Appeal Fails to Win
Him Away frcm Paternal
Grandmother.
NOW WIFE OF ANOTHER
Child Sits on the Judges Knee
and Tells of His Love for
Grandma Decision
To Be Appealed.

r
James Locke. five years old with blue
eyes and fair curly hair and wearing a
sailor suit. pleaded his own case with JUS
tice Maddox i'm the Queens County Su-
preme Court Long Island City, yesterday
where the child's mother. Mrs. Louise
Mulroonev. twenty-five years old. OF
Manhattan, had begun proceedings to
compel the boys grandmother. Mrs
Anna Locke, and his father, Edward
Locke, NJ No. 743 Crescent street, AS
toria. To restore to her the custody OF
the child
Sitting on the Justices knee while
lawyers. litigants and the crowd I'm the
courtroom looked on, the child answered.
questions that had much to do with de-
Gliding his future fate. Leaning forward
from her seat in the witness chair. Mrs
Locke the grandmother. watched the
child with quivering lips. Back among
the spectators sat the little fellows s
rother. sitting her sobs
DO you love your grandmother" in
auired the black robed justice. holding
the child in his arms.
Yes. sir" lisped the child, Il lov" her
very much"
DO you like to live with her." con
tinued the Justice.
That's my home. with my dear grand
ma" the boy replied.
When Mrs. Murooney. attired in a
neat fitting tailormade suit took the
witness stand. she told story that
touched the hearts Of the court and spec
tators. while the opposing attorney made
no effort at cross examination. Her
mother love, overcame all scruples. and
she told the court Of an unfortunate love
affair between herself and Locke which
resulted i'm the birth of the boy. The
couple A.. both Of good families.
Husband Told the Secret.
When IL was too late we decided to
to live together. didn't want my people
t. know | didn't want the disgrace.
We told our families that We were mar
ried," testified Mrs. Mulrooney. Il asked
him again and again 10 keep his word
end marry me. and each time he said
he would some time later. Then my boy
was born and asked him again to keep
his promise, but he put me of. He took
the child To church To have him chris
tened, and his brother and sister went
along as godfather and godmother. and
my name was given as Louise Locke.
and the boy was chrstened James
Locke.
when I got better he began to abuse
me. stood it all. for | did not want
my parents and my friends to know
Then he went around and told everybody
that we were not married. When ne
was cut OF work went out washing ana
housekeeping to help support our little
home. When he publicly told the secret
/ said would leave and when | got
ready to 20 he wanted me to stay, but /
said: No. you have disgraced me, and !
will never marry you / left him and
supported the child until ! became i'll,
when | sent him to his grandmother.
Il am married now" she continued,
turning her tear stained face toward the
justice. MY husband Is good man.
He knows my story. He has forgiven
me, and has sent me TO bring my child
to our home. | have suffered so much
for him, and, oh. ! want him! He Is my
child. am his mother, although his
father Tnay not have given him "A name.
He belongs TO me. and, judge, | want to
take him home with me