Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-14
PICTURES BY GEORGE CLARK.

PICTURES BY GEORGE CLARK.
-HE judge leaned forward slightly. sup
porting his elbows on the polished
surface Of the high desk, and looked
earnestly down at the prisoner in
front of him.
"You realize, do you not, that the
court viii appoint counsel for you If you can
not afford it yourself?" he asked.
The prisoner nodded.
"Yessir. I know that y'r honor. But I'm
guilty and might as well say So"
The Judge studied him briefly. The prisoner
was rather young-probably not more than ~
or 23-and he hardly looked like . dangerous
criminal. He somewhat understood, his
color was bad, his general attitude was one Of
furtiye, half-defant fear. He was dressed in 9
tOo-snug suit of gray checks, done in the "Kol-
lege Kut" STYLE with tight waist and slash
pockets in the coat and an imitation diamond
in the garish necktie. His linen was soiled;
evidently the jail where he had been confined
was not overly clean. He looked precisely what
he vas; q street corner neer do well from one
Of the city's innumerable back alleys.
A sudden wave Of curiosity swept over the
judge. This case-robbery under arms-was
simple, on the surface; but what lay back Of It?
How was he to get the facts that he should
have in passing sentence? What would justice
be In this case? long, still sentence, or Q
1umbling effort at reformation?
0cAC0
The prisoner shifted from one foot 10 the
other and looked ut him duly.
"I just wanted the money" he said.
The Judge pondered for Q minute. Not much
use to talk to this lad. The corners Of his
mouth had vicious little downward curves His
eyes were shifty, too knowing. The judge drew
the sheaf Of papers to him and prepared to pass
sentence. Then, suddenly conscious Of the
clOseness Of the air and his own WEAKNESS, he
pushed the papers back.
I'VE viii have . short recess" he said.
"Sentence VIII be pronounced when court re-
cOnvenes again."
He stood up, the bailin raped ON the desk
with his gavel, and the judge retired 10 his
chambers.
- Il was comfortable sitting on the broad
leather couch, with Spring breeze coming in
through the tan window, and the judge relaxed
gratefully on the cushions. He was an adept
at snatching q tiny nap in these short recesses,
and he closed his eyes now and prepared 10 lose
himself In sleep, knowing that his bailin would
awaken him In 10 minutes.
DUT o. ne lay there, the case Of the prisoner
- stuck in his mind It seemed, somehow.
absurd to sit on the bench and decide on the
future life Of that youth about whom he knew
70 little. -
Where there was o trial it was usually easier.
Enough was usually brought out TO give one
fair picture Of the case. But this young chap
had pleaded guilty. The probation department
knew little about him. The prosecutor had
simply repeated what the precinct police had
told him-Shat the prisoner was . "yOung
tough" although an arrest for juvenile de-
linquency constituted his entire record" <And
that was all
How, then, the Judge asked himself, could
be do justice? He wished that he had half
Nozen witnesses, who knew an about the case,
% question.
As he formulated this wish the judge fell
asleep. and, in his sleep, his .wished-fOr WIT
nesses came to him, and he questioned them.
First Of all there was . miserable, ertmy
brick apartment house, buried on mean
street under the shadow Of huge steel mil
In the heart Of the dreary, unsavcEy "SOuth
Sit1e." The apartment house, having taken On
U voice, gave H. testimony:
ct should plead guilty In this case. too, yoar
enncy. A little fOur-roOn apartment en- ene