The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-08

saloon, where l hung out, an slipped
some money into my hand. Instead OF
thankin' her. I'd invite the boys in an
leave her standin' at the curb.
Then I was sent up for breakin'
into Story's house. Do you think she
was ashamed of her drunken, thievin'
brute of a son? No, sir! She went
everywhere begin them to let me go.
Eyes, an paid for one Of the best
lawyers in the country, though 1t
didn't do no good. Then she worked
like q niger to bring me papers an
tobaccer an things to eat. An ulster
snarl at her for not leavin' me alone"
The prisoner looked down at the
little limp figure.
That's what got me to thinkin'.
What did I ever do for her except to
make her life miserable an bring
shame on her? One day she tripped
AZ she was goin' out Of my cell. an
caught her in my arms and kissed her
Then she smiled up at me through
her tears until
Jaw, you wouldn't understand. But
! did, an as soon as she was outside
the bars I got down on my knees an
prayed-prayed, mind you-that she
might live until was free 80 l could
work for her an show her how I felt
about her now.
Every time she came after that she
looked thinner an older Once when
she didn't come at the regular time
thought-the thing had happened. But
she came. an was happy.
"The day they let me 90, we took
trip to Coney Island, an felt like a
kid. guess she was happy or she
wouldn't have told me. That Edelman
had squeezed fifty dollars out Of her
as hush money. Told her he'd squeal
on me like he did before II she didn't
cough up.
Then, after he got the money, he
faxed up that lynn statement to keep
me in stripes because he was afraid
of me. II I'd gone straight home the
detectives were ready to pinch me-
But didn't. I went to the scoundrel
an ordered him to hand back the
money. He pulled his gun on me, an
let him have mine right in his grin.
min face. Then the cops came
Lord, when you're down you're always
down!
"Now you're goner send me back
now, when I was ready to do mans
work-now. when wanted to slave
for her as she did for me-
AN you won't let met" he shrieked
pounding wildly on the rail. "I'm SO
much scum an Nth to be swept down
in the sewer where belong. But what
about her? What's she ever done to
be punished? She amt got bit OF
strength left nor a place to go nor
soul to take care of her"
Turning to the Judge, he flung out
his wasted hands.
Don't send me away" he cried.
Don't you believe me? Just let me
work for her till-she dies, an then
you can do what you want with me.
I said I wasn't beggin' of. am, Judge!
I am-here, on my knees.
Gimme q chance to prove I'm in
earnest-only . year. What more can
I say! You're old yourself. Look at
her, Judge. Look at her old clothes
an WORKOUT face. I did 1t. I've killed
her. Her face will be before me night
an day. l."
The prisoner threw his head on his
arms and leaned against the rail in a
huddled heap. The members Of the
Jury, in various cramped attitudes,
stared at the floor or out the win.
dows. Throughout the court room was
deep silence. broken here and there
by spasmodic sob.
Presently the little old woman tot
tered toward the prisoners box and
reached up her bony hands from I'M
der her shawl. AS she felt his con-
vulsive grasp, she pressed her wasted
cheeks against his arm and cried soft
ly.
cts all right, old lady" he muttered
hoarsely without looking up. stop 1t
now. Don't take on-don't"
The whispering died away as the
Judge looked up from the brief on
which he had been tracing patterns.
cleared his throat several times. and
frowned.
I'm accordance with the verdict Of
the court" he commenced. and then
paused to cough. I'm accordance with
the verdict-that ID to say-in view Of
extenuating circumstances - sentence
IL suspended"
There was q general stunning Of feet
and chairs a. the large audience rose
to depart.
In short while the room was empty
save for two figures at the dock.
Presently the man got up from his
knees.
Come, mother" he said gently,
wed better be goin' home"
Humorous, N True.
Readers who had some difYlculty In
remembering where the Falkland 10
lands were. may have been helped by
the recollection of one Of Ian Mac
laren's stories. After q disaster to