The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-03-10

on the street, an never lifted q nm
ger to help her. Why didn't you men
ton that. Mr.. District Attorney?
MANY q night she passed by Egan's
saloon, where I 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 q son? No. sir! She went
everywhere begin them to let me 60.
"Yes, an paid for one Of the best
lawyers in the country. though It
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' mo 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 herr One day she tripped
as she was goin' out Of my cell. an l
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 az soon 40 she was outside
the bars I got down on my knees an
prayed-prayed. mind you-that she
might live until was free 30 I could
work for her an show her how 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 I was happy.
! "The day they let me 60, we took
trip to Coney Island an I felt like
kid. T. 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 If 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 I didn't. went to the sc0undrel
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 mel" he shrieked
pounding wildly on the rail. I'm 90
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 60 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 M
work for her till-she dies. an ther
you can do what you want with me
said I wasn't beggin' OF. l am. Judge
I am-here. on my knees.
"Gimme q chance to prove I'm II
earnest-only. year. What more cal
: I say! You're old yourself Look a
? her, Judge. Look at her old clothe
: an WORKOUT face. did 1t. I've killet
her. Her face will be before me nigh
an day. T."
The prisoner threw his head on hi
arms and leaned against the rail In
huddled heap. The members OF tn
fury. in various cramped attitudes
: stared at the floor or out the win
l dows. Throughout the court room wa
deep silence, broken here and Their
by a spasmodic Sob
y Presently the little old woman tot
J. tered toward the prisoners box AM
reached up her bony hands from un
T. der her shawl. As she felt his cor
vulsive grasp, she pressed her waste
cheeks against his arm and cried sof'
I ly.
). "It's all right, old lady," he muttere
, hoarsely without looking up. stop
now. Don't take on-dont."
n The whispering died away as tn
Judge looked up from the brief o
;. which he had been tracing patterni
q cleared his throat several times. an
II frowned.
y TN accordance with the verdict q
a the court" he commenced. and the
paused to cough. I'm accordance Wit
u the verdict-that II to say-in view Z
II extenuating circumstances - sentenc
. 10 suspended"
d There was . general stunning OF fe<
70 and chairs - the large audience roe
" to depart.
In q short while the room was emp<
le save for two figures at the dock.
"a Presently the man got up from d
lp knees.
Come, mother" he said gentl
I'd "wed better be goin' home"
n
d Humorous, II True.
OF Readers who had some difficulty
ct n>~nmhnvfuU Whoro tho falkland