The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-03

the ante room, give him a thorough examination and report your find- ings'.'
 Aftes a bdef interval the high sheriff returned with the prisoner. There was a. look of deep concern on the officers face, for no man has more sympathy for the poor and un- fortunate than Sheriff Jack.
 Judge. there is not a mark on ths mans body to indicate that he has been using the needle. l believe he Is in the last stages of consumption, as he had a hemorrhage while 1 was examining him"
 T have a hunch in this mans case. and I believe in lunches. Harry. let me examine your mouth"
 The man opened his mouth His gums were bleeding and the marks of the needle were plainly visible. He had injected the morphine into his gums in order to conceal the marks from the body. H. admitted it when questioned by Judge Alb.
 Harry" said Judge Alb, "I am go- ing to give you a prescription that will cure you of the drug habit It has been tried many times before and not found wanting. Have you father or mother?"
 Both; they live in Ma@on, Ga.''
 How long is 1t since you have written them."
 "A long time, judge; I have been ashamed to-
 Tine fact that you are ashamed shows that there is some manhood in you yet. You may now write them that 12 months from now you will return home, and that you will be the same fine boy they loved so well when yousleft home"
 Judge. please don't send me to jail. for I will surely die if l am deprived of drugs"
 My prescription includes jail sentence, without which it Is abso- lutely useless. and as for your dying. have tried 1t on a great number of patients and none have died yet.
 Sheriff Jack, take the man back to the county jail. See that he gets full dose of morphine as soon as pos sible. Have him reduce the dose daily for the next IS days.
 That Is the 2rejimiNary treatment. Harry. After which you will be sent to the county farm to serve sentence of 12 months.
 Now. Harry. get this: At the coun- ty farm you will be lulled to sleep by the Whip O Will's song and walked up in the morning by the melodies of the incomparable Bob White Eglantines will sweeten tho air with their fragrance and the beauties of nature will be open for your vision.
 You will be given such tasks of employment commensurate 10 your health and physical condition, but Ldon't get the idea that you will bs able to dodge work. for work you must. as it Is one of the essentials of the prescription. You will be given plenty of food plain,but wholesome and Christian men and women will try to lead you back to the religion and prayers you learned at your mothers knee.
 You may rebel against the treat ment for the time being. and in your present condition you cannot under stand that I am trying to save not only your life. but your very soul. You have punished yourself far more than anything I can do.
 And finally. let me make this pre- diction, Harry, that at the expiration of your sentence. you will come to me and thank me for saving you from yourself and your evil associates'
 The scene now changes back to the court room on last Thursday evening Judge Alb and the young man were laughing and shaking hands.
 As the young man was leaving tho courtroom Judge Ab said: Where are you going. Harry"
 And q clear, firm voice. full of hope and happiness, replied; Straight to horne and n1otherr