Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1918-06-12
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 Hiu1--Whoie Ser
mon In JUDGES Comment

The warden OF l. street jail In
New York city sat at his desk husily
working on some records when there
walked into the Office David Baseom
/ from a little rural community tucked
| away In the far hills OF Vermont lie
was a pathetic. wizened figure as he
stood there tn agony and embarrass-
ment twlrling his hat and waiting for
the warden to look up. There was
heart hunger ia his eyes that smote
the man ct the desk with pity.
Is Joseph Bascom IA prisoner
here?" he finally stammered. lie 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 to be In that business; too in
nocent-looking and too stralghtfor-
ward-appearing. Are you his father"
Yes" said the old man as he
dropped YEARLY into the proffered
chair. Il don't see how he ever came
TO do that sort of thing. 1t isn't &C
con1in' 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
six months"
VISIT 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 few moments a clean. open
faced young fellow was brought In by
guard. and one OF those agonizing
scenes that only iails 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 say viii be used against you at
your trial"
when / first came TO New York."
the young man began. everything
went all right. l got Job and found
q good boarding house. didn't feel
ARAh&SAAh NJ linAs btAAAHt was ~ EA-
terested In my work through the day,
and at night II was interesting TO go
out and see the sights. But after /
got used to my job and had seen most
Of the sights had more time to think
and to get homeslck 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 stills 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
rustllng. and II all made me so home
sick and lonesome / just had TO 80
out and walk the streets. That was
the way ! ran into the gang ! was
caught with. l guess they used me as
tool, Anyhow, ! got caught at the
first attempt"
THAT sounds straight, and II I'm
any Judge of faces / guess II is
straight said the warden. Il want |
you TO get your story before the judge |
through your attorney. Your record |
has been clean tin now. and think II
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 grufTness of voice to hide his
emotion. Then he added. looking at
the father, ~ had my way I'd I'm
pose a jail sentence on parents who
let their boys and girls come to this |
city and don't write them at least |
twice a 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 paruceps criminis, and ]
cau't sentence them, TIL suspend your
sentence. Next case T-Youth's Com