El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-15
Saves Boys From Prison
Judge Patrick Henry Clark Secures
Release of Little HPeepinE
Toms From Prison.
W II
-By w. d. Gatewood-


" nE police patrol changed ana cIat-
tered on down Mesa avenue
= nothing unusual for an FL Paso
night Yet it was the beginning of a
most unusual episode-one wherein the
proverb that truth is stranger than fic-
ton was proved beyond dispute.
The patrol was packed with boys,
youngsters they were-youngster
bubbling, explosive with the carbonate
of youth. ct they were in the police
patrol, With arms akimbO; with legs
sprawled awkwardly over the floor of
the gathering, barred wagon they sat,
feigning nonchalance, forcing an air of
hardened bravadO they did not have
they could not have owing to their
I stopped to stare at the patrol and
its cargo, and, seeing it pass on toward
the station, started on. To my left
stood man, tall, slightly aged-stooped
sad, sad with all the utter woe of hui
manity, and he gazed intently after the
retreating patrol Then he caught
sight of me.
Isn't that the police patroI?" he
asked, searching my face with his
kindly eyes and seemingly waiting my
reply with Impotence.
replied that it was.
1T seems to be quite full" he added
sorroWfully.
They are boys" I answered.
OH he exclaimed Boys in that?'
It seemed incredulOus 'aThe Door moor
pity L must 90 their bond and have
them released at once" And he moved
off to ward the station, walking with
Tar reaching strides.
Watt I called, interested in the
man and his humanitarian character.
II go with you," I said, as 1 Joined
him.
We had not gone far until he in
PRODUCED himself not having pres
ence of mind enough.
My name is Clarke" he said simply,
extending his hand. And thus we met.
P H. Clarke he added as an after
thought.
Arrived at the station we saw a
molly crew of boys and men standing
on the outside laughing and joking
ABOUT those lads who had been less
fortunate than themselves, Judge
Clarke quickened his pace.
Boys, he began, where are the
boys that were arrested2"
They're in tn jug an locked up by
this time" replied one of the lads on
the outside.
Too badt7 calculated the judge. But
what did they dO?'
Here a patrolman answered. They
were peekin' in the door and windows
over at the Crawford, I think, and ar
rested on charge of disturbin the
The judge started for the door, beck
oning me to follow Inside the sta
ton he waited for the arrival of Capt.
Greet.
Captain" he began. almost plead
ingly, 7 want to ask a favor of you.
1 want you to let me go on those boys
bond and have them turned out of Jail.
Fifteen minutes in there in the com
pany of hardened men viii be likely
to start evil thoughts in their boyish
minds. 1t will pOllute them, captain"
Capt Greet answered that he did not
know that any boys had been arrested.
they tni r1 he oil
lowed their freedom upon judge Clarke |
giving them d lecture. And we were
let into the Jail Aand what a Jail A
Jail unfit for narDOrIng men of the
underworld But boys-boys of u and !
l. We're in there. The boys We're not /
TO be held, for it had not been the in 1
tention of the police to 1
enmesh lads in an atmosphere of vice /
and it was the lads first offence, If :
such it was, for, as judge Clarke ex-
pressed II. II was natural for boys 10 1
oeek at shows 7 would not rear /
Joy that would not do it." he said, but
he was also firm that they should be
aught to obey the laws of the land
Huddled together as if seeking pro-
ection from each other and feeling a
sense OF safety at the touch OF body on
body, we found them together in a tiny
cell The eyes of the younger boys
were red from recently dried tears;
he others were wide eyed and fear
faced.
he kindness and wholeheartedness of
apt Greet you are going to be given Z
our freedom. But first you must give
ne your promise that you will never
gain peek into shows or disobey the I
aw in any other way" The boys prom
sed in unisOn-and they were sincere |
As the lads filed out of the tiny cell {
ntO the light and pure air of the street
he judges face became aglOW with a /
mile of satisfaction and he patted one |
n two of the boys affectiOnately on !
he shoulder Then, turning to me- he
aid
Kindness is the best disciplinarian
it is what humankind yearns for"
And with that he was gone, beaming 1
With the happiness he had found in be-
slowing happiness TO others; content I
hat he had obeyed the impulse of his
ioul-