The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1918-02-15
NOT ALL HIS FAULT
Incident Shows Peril of LOneH-
ness in Big City,
Younsster Easily Led Astray When
Home Folks Failed to Keep In
Touch With Him-Whole Ser.
mon In Judges Comment.


Tie warden of l. street Jail IT,
New York city sat at lhs desk buslly
working on some records when there
walked into the Office Diyid BascOm
from little rural community tucked
away in the far hills Of Vermont. He
was Il pathetic, wiZened figure ~ he
stood there in agony and embarrass-
ment twirllng his hat and waiting for
the warden 20 look up. There was
heart hunger In his eyes that smOte
the man at the desk with pity.
"ls Joseph BascOm IA prisoner
hereT he finally stammered. He could
hardly bring his tongue to say the
word.
Yes" said the warden promptly.
I'VE had young man by that name
brought In night before last for bur
glary. Struck me as the wrong kind OF
fellow 10 be in that business; too in
nocent-looking and too straightfor-
ward-appearing. Are you his fatheri'
yes" said the old man as he
dropped wearily into the prOifered
chair. II don't see how he ever came
to do that sort Of thing. 1t isn't ac-
cordn' to his bringin' up. Me and his
mother never had no education TO
speak of, but we was always honest,
and brought the children up strict
like. He's been In New York less'n
six months"
wait a minute and I'll call him in
and see what he has TO say for him
SELF" said tile warden as he touched
button on the desk.
In n few moments clean, open
faced young fellow was brought in by
guard, and one of those agOnizing
scenes that only jails behold ensued.
When the first shock of the meeting
was over the warden said TO the young
man.
"Now tell your father and me how
you got into this scrape. Nothing
you say will be used against you at
your trial"
"When l first came to New York."
the young man began, everything
went all right. l got a job and found
a good boarding house. 1 didn't feel
homesick at first, because / was so in
terested in my work through the day,
and at night il was interesting to go
out and see the sights. But after 1
got used to my job and had seen most
of the sights had more time to think
and to get homesick and lonesome. The
folks at home didn't write, and didn't
know anyone here. | used to sit in my
room evenings and picture the toma-
toes ripening on the window sills at
home, and could see my mother NOV
ing about the yard in the sunshine
and dad plOwing in the back forty. l
could almost smell the apples in the
orchard and hear the dry corn leaves
rustling, and it all made me so home
sick and lonesome | just had TO go
out and walk the streets. That was
the way l ran into the gang l was
caught with. l guess they used me as
a tool. Anyhow, 1 got caught at the
first attempt"
"That sounds straight, and if Tn |
any Judge of faces l guess it is |
straight" said the warden. 81 want !
you to get your story before the judge |
through your attorney. Your record !
has been clean till now, and think it |
will make a difference in the sentence"
The trial was held and the facts pre-
sented to the Judge. Sentence sus-
pended" he announced at the close, |
with a gruffness of voice to hide his |
emotion. Then he added looking at |
the father, "if l had my way I'd inn
pose q Jail sentence on parents who |
let their boys and girls come to this
city and don't write them at least |
twice week to let them know that |
some one in the world cares for them |
and is thinking of them. More young
people go wrong in this city from lone
someness than we shall ever know. |
You should have had backbone to |
stand alone, young man. But as your
parents are particeps criminis, and I !
can't sentence them, I'll suspend your
sentence. Next case w-Youth's Com
panion.