Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-10-01

"Lo, Mr.. Miller, Just came up to
report and to tell you that I've been
a better boy. I'm on the square now
and I'm glad that you punished me
when l did wrong. You didn't tell me
to come back, but ! walked up the
steps to tell you and to thank you.
You'll shake hands with me now,
won't your"
1t was a stalwart, swarthy lad
from the Union Pacific shops, who
showed out his meaty hand for the
grasp Of Probation Officer Miller
His handclasp meant qualification,
and the sparkle of his black eyes was
remuneration enough for the days and
nights spent trailing him when he
was sought for wrongdoing. 1t was
Patsy Labue. Patsy was the tough
est Italian gang leader who ever
bossed gang of STRIPPING in the
seamy side of Omaha's city life.
Patsy His First Case.
When Mr.. Miller gripped that cal
ioused hand he felt thrill of con-
fidence in a lad he had saved from
a life of crime. Patsy was the first
boy taken to the state industrial
school at Kearney by the probation
officer. When he journeyed to Kear-
ney he refused to speak to, Gus Mil
Ter. He struggled and fought when he
was placed in the hands of Superin-
tendent R. V. Clark He was at the
state school two years, and because
he saw the light, realized that it was
his opportunity to grasp the fighting
chance, pored over his books and ap-
piled himself to every opportunity
to advance, Patsy was released on
good behavior. He is now working
in the Union Pacific shops as a steam
filter and mechanic, trade taught
him at Kearney,
But let Patsy tell the story as he
told it to Gus Miller:
I'm shooting square now, Mr.. Nil
Ter, because you pinched me at time
when | was slipping. ! was in bad.
The gang recognized me as their
leader, because | could get away fast
er, because could plug the fellow
that objected and because | was larg-
er physically than any of them. When
Judge Charles Leslie sent me to kear-
ney for correction, fought and
kicked. could not speak the English
lang.age. Ny Italian companions for
babe that. soon realized that ! was
wrong, and that Juvenile Judge Leslie
and Gus Miller were right. Through
the efforts of the teachers at the
Kearney school ! have learned to
read and write fuently; / have
learned to play the cornet; ! have
been taught trade, and know the
difference between right and wrong
You've made man of me, Mr.. Mil
Ter, and want to thank you and
Judge Leslie"
~ Scores Like Patsy.
Patsy's story is but one of scores
that are told daily.
Omaha's juvenile court has proven
that it is making better boys and bet
ter girls and paving the way for bet
ter homes and better environment.
When Leon Daniels was sent to
Kearney, when he was IS years old,
after a riotous gang-life with nights
away from home, countless petty bur-
glaries and unetding boyish pranks,
his parents gave their consent to his
correction. Leon returned but short
time ago, to come into Mr., Miller's
office with the same outstretched hand
and beaming, wholesome face exhib-
tied by Patsy, the Italian: He was
bubbling over with enthusiasm. And
Leon is making good.
Real Friend to Lads.
Good Gus Miller, the friend Of every
boy and girl in the city forced by cir
cumstances to pick up a few nickles
by selling papers or by toiling in the
marts of trade after school hours to
help stock the family larder, has the
confidence of each and every one OF
'liese striplings. When Gus looks into
he eyes of lad, slaps him on the
shoulder and asks him to tell the
truth, Johnny or Willie comes clean"
That's why Gus Miller, working with
Judge Leslie, has accomplished re-
suits. It's more than a motto in
juvenile court; it's an iron-bound