Evening star., 1926-11-04
Stevie Doesn't Saueal.

<<C TEPHEN BURDOCKw Judge
Trumain's voice rang full
and clear in the large, we'll
.~ ~ lighted room that Midwes-
ton reserved for Juvenile
Court cases.
From an anteroom appeared Ste
phen. The thick fingered hand of
Charlie Grimes, Midweston's chief
probation officer, held firm grip upon
Stephens ill-clad shoulder.
Stephen. frightened look in the
gray eyes too wise for his IL years,
was slowly propelled toward the seat
nvxt the judges chair where Judge
Truman, at the head of a long mar.
row table, held informal Saturday
morning court.
Pretty Faith Howell from the Mid
weston Gazette picked up her pencil
and note paper; Tom Ashley of the
Midweston Herald and Jimmy Girls
word oil the News simultaneously
+. ceased looking at Faith and turned
their attention to Stephen. the hunt
er's look of an anticipated story
auivering their noses.
Stephens mother, a dull hued crea
xure in a faded blue serge suit, sat
three seats down from Judge Tru
main. Mrs. Burdocks hair had once
been red, but her hair, like her
cheeks, had faded until her whole
being seemed to have taken on the
brittle nondescript hue of the dry
clay bluffs of her native Nebraska.
Across the table from Stephens
mother Mrs. Farnsworth whispered to
Faith Howell. MY dear. forgot to
tell YOU DIR. Farnsworth phoned me
a few moments ago; he returned un-
expectedly from Chicago this morn
ing and I've persuaded him to call
for me here. / have arranged little
surprise luncheon for him at the
country club. do hope this next
case won't take long. Couldn't you
phone your society editor? You know
dislike publicity myself. but some
of the ladies who are coming to the
luncheon have SO little to interest
Them outside of social affairs-oh, it,
the Burdock boy again." she rattled
on, glancing at Stephen as he took his
seat next Judge Truman. Such a
dreadful family, my dear! Why, only
last Christmas I found his sister in
the most dreadful condition. Thank
goodness, ! was able to get her into
the girls reformatory at Geneva. But
the ungrateful girl was perfectly
awful. She wanted to marry the man
and she was only 16! Those people
who live down by the river simply
the more one does for them the less
Il Is appreciated! /"
A sharp rap from Judge Trumain's 8
mallet interrupted Mrs. FarnSWorth' S
chatter She smiled ingratiatingly at
the Judge Mrs. Farnsworth was very
sure of herself. Very active in the
woman's club, she somehow always
just missed the presidency. She re-
ceived frequent mention in the news
Ill -, nNH-
deavors and her activities as COM
ynittee chairman Of various social re.
forms. Her money, together with her
recent marriage to young DR.. Farms
worth Of the West Farnanf street
Farnsworths had of late proved the
sesame at the exclusive portals of
Midweston's country club.
Mrs. Farnsworth wore eyeglasses
with a heavy black ribbon and. her
nose was too short for her face. She
was partial 20 plumed hats and en-
broidered suits.
She listened intently now as Judge
Truman turned to Stephen.
Judge Truman was really q kind
hearted, round-faced man, whose
curly gray hair added the necessary
touch of judicial dignity to his rosy
cheeks and twinkling eyes. He loved
his work, loved the little fellows that
were brought before him. and in spite
OF many disappointments had kept
alive his faith in the spark of eterna:
GOOD in each bad boy"
And so. in spite of the fact that
Stephen was an old offender and that
the present difficulty was far more
serious than stephens rather frequent
hockey" from school. there was a
touch of sincere friendliness in Judge
Trumain's voice, although his words
to Stephen were stern in their import.
stephen" said the judge, you
have brought great deal of trouble
upon yourself and your mother.
There is just one thing that will help
you now. Come clean with the truth,
truth. Where did you get that box
of cocaine and other drugs that you
were carrying when Office Grimes
picked you up last Monday after
noon?"
Found it," replied Stephen sui.
lenly.
"Where did you find it?" asked
Judge Truman.
''On de street." answered Stephen
"But you told Officer Grimes you
found It In an alley" said Judge Tru-
main.
Stephen shot a shrewd look at his
snterrogator.
"Oh, yes. 1 forgot; I found it in de
alley on Fourteenth street. But it
was right near de sidewalk"
IF you found it why did you try
% u u % q q q m % !