Evening journal., 1918-07-11

Casey abandoned tho baseball bat"
for the "brick bat" Judge Pritckelt
had 70 umpire q game IN the Juvenile
Court yesterday with the grandstand
filled with interested parents, and the
bleachers crowded with boy witnesses.
The three star players in the game
were boys about "a years old, ranging
from four feet to six feet in height
These boys did not show up to their
usual good form. doubtless due to the
TACT that they were accustomed 10
playing and practiclng IN a vacant lot
strewn with tin cans. bricks and scrap
Iron. Naturally, when they appeared
on a diamond such as the Juvenile
Court offers. their play could not be
considered brilliant.
The game was called at ESQ Casey,
the smallest Of the boys, took the box.
In his nelghborhood he was noted for
his knowledge OF baseball, and woe be
to to player who questioned any decl-
sion which he might make. His shock
Of brilliant red hair portrayed his tenn
perament, and his lack OF vocabulary
was usually emphasized by a barrage
OF bricks, or q piece OF scrap IRON
Baseball is a nne game" said Judge
Prickett, "and In some OF the big
league games the umpire Is frequently
mobbed for his bad decisions, but you
boys are all friends, and this was Just
q little friendly game. wasn't ~" The
boys admitted this. and the judge hay-
ing thus established their interest In
the National game. they plunged Into
details.
Charles was az bat and drove q ball
that Casey pitched down the third base
line. bringing In two runs. Casey swore
II was a foul. and Charles promptly
called Casey a liar. Paul sided with
Casey, who promptly dropped the base
ball bat and picked up a brick, and In
the language OF Paul. drove Il at Charles
who was struck on the head and then
the fight commenced.
During the time that Charles was
knocked out, Paul grabbed Casey's
wrist, trying 70 persuade him not to
drive any more bricks at Charles. By
this time Charles had recovered suni-
ciently TO obtain a piece OF scrap iron,
which served tOfhelghten rather than
diminish the fight.
Casey admitted that he had a bad
temper, and that when he got mad, he
would rather use a brick than he would
his fists. But" said the judge, Il hope
YOU are going 10 learn 10 control your
self" ayes, sir" replied the culprlt.
And viii you promise TO be friends
agalng" the judge suggested tactfully.
Charles looked at Paul; Paul looked at
Casey: and the three glanced sheep
ishly al the Judge who warned them.
"You mustn't let this make bad
friends among you" said the Judge
one Of the mothers snif1ed, and then
Casey exclaimed: I'VE made up after
the scrap was ell over, and we have
been playing together ever since
Judge Pritchett smiled. and the mother,
appeared to be somewhat astonished
Then after a pleasant discourse on tn
subject OF gentlemanly behavior whici
he hoped from boys with such 5000
previous records. the Judge started Z
dismiss the case.
But as frequently develops wher
mothers are present, Mrs. Casey feel
| ing that Justice had somehow miscar.
ried regarding her son, said, He IS no
a had boy at home, and / do not see
why my son should get all the blame.
But the court reminded her that hel
how had frankly confessed that M
started the trouble. and was sorry tol
n. But" Mrs. Casey began again
This time Chief Probation Ohicer Farra
succeeded in suppressing her, and after
another futile attempt to voice hei
grievance against the other boys she
/ left the courtroom.
THAT Is the difficult part Of this bus
mess" said Mr.. Farra. After every