The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1915-03-06
NOT FOR HIMSELF
BY FRANK LAWRENCE.


oCopyright.l
All through the trial the prisoner
had sat with his body bent forward
and his head resting between his
gnarled fistsTa picture of sullen de-
lection.
1t was only at the close of his law
yer's brilliant summing-up that he
leaned back and gazed about the
crowded court room. Then the district
attorney faced the jury.
The evidence against Jud Golden,
gentlemen" he said in quiet tones that
carried to the farthest corner, proves
co~nclusively that he is a desperate
unfit to be at large.
THE street gang has made him what
he is, and when we send him back to
prison we are striking at the organ
lied crime of New York city.
THAT means that when we strike at
Jud Golden we are not merely infict-
ing just punishment upon a ruffian
who prowls about with brass knuckles,
knife and revolver, engaging in all
forms Of crime-now a little black
DldllllS dlldllt uOM utdlll6 NY NAP
less man for a few dollars, or com
hitting murder for a scarf pin"
81 object, your honor" interrupted
counsel for the defense. "My client is
not on trial for robberies or murders,
but for killing a man in self-defense;
and furthermore"
objection o%verruled," raped the
Judge. Proceed"
81 repeat" continued the district at.
torney, that we are not striking at
this one man, but at the gang that is
undoing the work Of the home, the
school and the state.
Nov, gentlemen, your duty is clear
Release Jud Golden, and you not only
expose society to a dangerous man
but you encourage the gang spirit
which is rotting the vitality of OUT
city"
Then, turning to the Judge, he said:
"Inasmuch as the prisoner has spent
the greater part of his infamous life
in some form OF Jail for every kind
of crime, l ask you to send him bach
where he belongs. He is morally in
capable of living in a ~law-abiding com
munity.
Nobody wants him. He has nj
friends, no means of earning an hon
est living, absolutely no reason for re
naming among decent citizens. Th'
mar is a moral leper, and as sucl
should be confined"
The district attorney then ad
dressed the court in the rhetorical
style which had so endeared him Il
the people. AS he finished his sum
ming-up, he seated himself Cuickl,
and with nervous fingers fumbled hi
papers and law books.
He was afraid to look up for fea
of smiling. Those near him whis
pered their congratulations or passe
up notes from his friends.
At length the weary wait terminate
with the return of the jury, who al
nounced, through their foreman, tha
the prisoner had been found guilt,
The judge raped for order.
Before l pass sentence on you, JuC
son Golden" he called harshly, 81
there anything you wish to say in you
behalf?"
All eyes were turned toward tn
prisoner, who seemed taller and NOR
CHASTITY as he leaned over the dock.
you've got me, Judge" he sal
slowly, blinking his squinty eyes
the sea of faces before him. 81 CUES
I've been pretty well introduced, an
might as well look pleased an let th
ceremonies go on.
81 amt goner do the Edelman &C
anyhow. What I've done, I've don
If I'm sorry, that's my business 6
long as I'm ready to stand the gal
But there's somethin'-"
The words failed to come, and tn
big man stared helplessly about, shift
ing his feet and gripping the railing
His blood-shot eyes rested for a M
ment on a little old woman at h
right who sat with bowed head. The
he recollected himself.
THAT man Is right about the gan
It's done for me. I'm crooked as
double-bowed knot an then some. b
] amt goner air my private affairs al
mc~e'n | have to, An | amt beggi
off It's not for myself I'm talkin'.
you've heard that | hadn't ought,
be at large; that no one 'ud miss me
I was shot instead of Edelman. That
a lie. | know there's lots I'D be glf
to pay my funeral expenses, but "
got one friend right here now-n
mother"
The prisoners voice broke as !
pointed unsteadily to the little o
woman with the faded bonnet, who I
to this moment had passed ~unnotice
People all ver the court shiftC
about to get a look at her; sever
cameras clicked. There was a gener
whispering, interspersed with cries
"Sit down." Keep still" and 81
him talk" which died away on Il
command OF "Order!"
The prisoner turned to the distri
attorney.
you told my story pretty well, b