Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-09-10
PlTIfUL SCENE
 IN JUS1IC COURT AGED MAN, CHARGED WITH NF. TEMPTING TO BEAT BOARD BILL, AIDED Bi S:V-
 PATHIZERS.
Is Deeply Affected By Kind tds of Strangers-COurt Officials
 Refuse FncS.

An old man of gentle and unas- suming demeanor, enien1,,d hY sick -fss ard neat, plea lis oNn vas" n Ns.:,strate J. A. FraHI Y 5 coutt yes terday afternoon wit such earnest t. ness and simple dircctdcs, as tO win e,.elllr::N. at the Ia :. of tAe couly and enlist the symps ,si,s Of officers and bystanders to th" end hat le was eXtricated from his difficulties and told to go his way ;u p9a"a. The aged defendants name ap4aarcd O.; the warrant as Clifford, and il, was arraigned on charge of attempting to defraud a boarding house kt,p per The complaint was made by a.f:. (. Pc Barnes, who conducts a boarding house at No 3OS East Second aye hue.
 It was alleged that the old man was indebted to his landlady for the sum of $17 which he was unable to
 
 half MT. Clifford said he came to Pine Bluff about two weeks ago to write owing to sickness and his advanced age he has been unable to work and has been forced to remain idle in his room while his indebtedness to the boarding house keeper steadily in- creased. He said further that his funds had been exhausted and he was unable to pay his score until he could get out and earn some money. He was uncertain, too, as to the amount of his bill.
 The cid gentlemans appearance was that of preacher of the old school. The frost of many winters has whitened his hair. His coat, black and of semi-clerical cut, was well-worn, but neatly brushed. The effect of sickness and confinement to his room showed in the pallor of his face, which was covered with whis- kers of several days growth His linen, though frayed, was reasonably clean. He looked as though he had seen better days and was unused to the heartless buffeting of the world.
 The straight forward way ill which he told his story and his gentle man. ner was of such effect that at the close of the hearing gentleman came forward irony the crowd and placed a ten dollar bill on the desk to be applied on the old mans indeb- tedness. The old man was greatly affected by this opep-hearted gener- csity and promptly requested the gen.
 leman's' name and business. The donors reply was that he was a stranger in town, and he promptly left the court room. but not befere he had been recognized as c. E. Bair, general manager of the Pine Bluff Natural Gas Company.
 MT. Bairss example was quickly followed by A. H. Rowell, the attor- ney, who appeared for the plaintiff in the case, and others until the full amount had been made up. Mrs. Barnes, the complainant, reduced her bill and the court officers declined the fees to which they were entitled. The charge against the aged man was then promptly dismissed.
 A touching scene followed when the old gentleman, with his eyes .dimmed by tears, tried to thank his benefactors. He said he had rever been in such circumstances before and greatly as he appreciated the kindness and generosity of his newly found friends he krew he could not adequately thank them, that as soon as he got on his feet he would take steps to reDay them.