The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1918-02-06
NOT ALL HIS FAULT
Incident Shows Peril Of loneli-
ness In Big City.
Ysvaester Easily Led Astray When
hsme Felix's FaHsd to. Keep 10
Teueh With HID,-Sfhoie. Ssr--
mon In Judges cemmeuk

The warden Of L. street jail IN
New York city sat at his desk bus'ly
working on some records when there
walked into the Office David Baseem
from Z little rural community tucked
away In the far hills of Vermont He
was Z pathetic, wizened figure a. ne
stood there In agony and embarrass-
nent twirling bis hat and waiting for
the warden to look up. There vas
heart hunger, In his eyes that smete
The man at the. desk with pity.
us Joseph Bascom IA prisoner
herer', he finally stammered. he could
hardly, bring his tongue TO say the
word.
Yes" said the warden promptly.
I'VE had a young man by that name
brought In night before last for bur
Siary. Struck me as the wrong kind OF
fellow to be. In that business: too In
Aocents docking and too, straightfor-
vard-appearing. Are you bis fatherT
Yes" said, the old man. as he
dropped YEARLY into the proffered
chair. II don't see how he ever came
to do that. sort Of thing. 1t isn't aci
cor,1in. to his ,bringin' up. Me cad his
mother never had no education TO
speak OF. but we -was always honest,
and brought the children mp strict
Nike. He's been In New. York less'n
ok months"
wait a minute and I'll call him in
and SEE what he has 10 say for HIM
eelf," laid the warden as he touched
. button on the desk.
h . few moments q clean,l open
faced young fellow was brought IN BY
. guard, and one df those agonizins
scenes that only jails behold ensued.
When the first shock. Of the, meeting
was over the warden. said to the ysuns
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, J"
the yeuag man began, "everything
went all right. got a job and found
Q good boarding house. didn't feel
homesick at first, because / was so In.
terested In my work through the day.
and at night it was Interesting to 60
out and see the sights. But after
got used to my JOB and had seen most
q the lights had more time to think
and to oct homesick and lonesome. The
felks ut home didn't write. end didn't
know anyone here. used to sit In my
room evenings and picture the toma-
toes ipening on the window Sills At
homei and could see my mother NOV
ing about the yard IN the sunshine
and dad blowing In the back forty. /
could almost smell the apples in, the
orchard and hear the dry corn leaves
rustling. and 1t all made me so home
sick: and lonesome ! just had t. go
out and walk the streets That was
the way I ran into the gang was
caught with. guess they used me as
q tosl. Anyhow, I got caught at the
arst attempt"
THAT sounds straight. and II I'm
any. Judge Of faces I. guess, 1t II
straight" said the wardea- II want
yeu to get your story befere the Judge
through. your attorney. Your record
has been clean till now. and think IL
viii make difference In the sentence. /"
The trial was held and the facts pre-
scented to the Judge. Sentence sus-
lended."r he announced at the close,
With q gruKness of voice to hide. his
emotion. Then he. added. looking at
the father, 1T had my way I'd I'm
pose Jail sentence on parents who
let their boys and girls come to this
city and don't write. them at least
twice q, week to let them know that
some one in the world cares. fer them
and Is thinking Of them. More young
people 20 wrong Ia this city from lone.
someness than WE shall ever know.
You should have had backbone to
stand alone, young man. But as, ysur
parents ARE particeps criminis. and
can't sentence them. I'll suspend your
sentence. Next case !"-Youth's Com.
OahlOn.