Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1918-09-24
NOT ALL HIS FAULT
Incident Shows Peril of Loneli-
ness in Big City.
Youngster Easily Led Astray When
Home Folks Failed to Keep In
Touch With Him-Whole Ser.
mon In Judges Comment.

The warden of T. street jail In
New York city sat at his desk busily
working on some records when there
walked into the Office David Bascom
from a little rural community tucked
away In the far hills of Vermont He
was q pathetic, wizened figure as he
stood there In agony and embarrass-
ment twirling his hat and waiting TOR
the warden to look up. There was
heart hunger In his eyes that smote
the man at the desk with pity.
"Is 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 q young man by that name
brought In night before last for bur
glary. Struck me as the wrong kind Of
fellow to be in that business; too In
nocent-looking and too straightfor-
ward-appearing. Are you his fatherT
YES" said the old man as he
dropped wearily into the proffered
chair. II don't see how he ever came
to do that sort Of thing. 1t isn't ac-
eordin' 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
ike. He's been In New York less'n
dx months"
"Wait a minute and I'll call him In
and see what he has to say for him
SELF" said the warden as he touched
q button on the desk.
In a few moments clean, open
faced young fellow was brought In BY
q 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:
sNow tell your father and me how
you got into this scrape. Nothing
you say will be used against you at
your trial"
"When 1 first came to New York" !"
the young man began, everything
went all right. got a Job and found
q good boarding house. didn't feel
homesick at first. because was 80 In
terested in my work through the day,
and at night II was interesting to 60
out and see the sights. But after I
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 I didn't
know anyone here. I 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 blowing in the back forty. /
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 I just .had to 60
out and walk the streets. That was
the way I ran into the gang was
caught with. guess they used me az
a tool. Anyhow. I got caught at the
first attempt"
'srhat sounds straight, and II I'm
any Judge Of faces I guess 1t 10
straight" said the warden. II want
| you to get your story before the judge
through your attorney. Your record
has been clean till now, and ! think 1t
will make 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 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 week 10 let them know that
some one in the world cares for them
and Is thinking Of them. More young
people 20 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 particepe criminis, and ]
| can't sentence them. I'll suspend your
sentence. Next case l"-Youth's Com
/ pAuio6. tgt ff.