The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1936-06-27
CHAPTER XII

Mother Clark's stood on a shady
little side street in the cheaper
class neighborhood of Carsilie. But
to Mother Clark it represented
home and to some extent-free-
dom.
She had bought it while Joe was
overseas, with the money from the
sale of her small southern farm.
After the death of Mable Joe's pref
ty little wife, Mother Clark felt
Joe would come to himself quick
er, If he was away from the old
familiar scenes. 1t was hard to
forsake the home of childhood and
the precious memories, to go north,
but it was for Joe. She must think
of him now, for he was all she had
left. And so Joe had returned, not
to the little farm in Halsted, in the
south. but to Carsilie in the north.
His once splendid body, a wreck,
his heart broken. Joe Clark never
recovered, for whisky became his
constant companion. His daily
thought was to forget.
Mrs. Jones had called Mother
Clark after leaving Jason's office.
"Mr. Emory wants to see you,
Mother Clark" she had told her.
Mother Clark voice shook with
emotion, as she answered,
When?"
Tomorrow morning, I'll call for
you in my car"
Joe's mother hung up the re-
ceiver slowly. did it mean Jason
would try to save joe"
Maybe" there was hope, if Mr..
Emory had decided to take the
case.
Her lips quivered as they moved
in a prayer, of thankfulness. She
had prayed so hard had hoped so
earnestly. The little cottage so
in the last few weeks
now looked brighter. She ran her
wrinkled hands over the dust COW
cred living room table and laugh
ed TREMENDOUSLY at the long gray
streak.
IL must clean up" she murmur-
ed, Suppose Joe should come
back, he would find just pecks of
dirt"
And so when Jason rang the bell
Of mother Clark's door a while
later he found her in dust cap and
busily engaged in giving the cot
tage a thorough cleaning.
Il want to ask you a few ques-
tons Mother Clark" he had
greeted her. Couldn't wait for you
to come to my office.
She lead the way into her little
parlor, with its old fashioned pic
lures, ingram rugs and hand work.
ed doilies.
Jason seemed to fill up the small
room. Mother Clark with a laugh
pushed a pile of sofa pillows from
The settee and invited Jason to be
seated.
seating herself in her little rock
er she looked at him, her eyes tear
filled.
God will bless you for helping
Joe. You won't lose by it,"
Jason felt a trifle ashamed as he
saw the thankful tears in her eyes.
He did not deserve all the praise,
the gratitude.
Mother Clark" he began, II
Il know nothing would make you
happier than to see Joe-free."
Mother Clark nodded, too NOV
ed to speak.
But there's small chance-un-
less we are prepared to fight. AS
it stand now, the prosecution has
all the points in their favor. I'VE
must gather our forces to weaken
those points. 1 know you're going
to help me-"
Mothers eyes were shining as
Jason continued.
Il was up to see Joe this after
noon-he refused to talk. We can't
win that way. A client must CO.
operate with his counsel, so Pm
coming to you. l want you to start
from Joe's boyhood, or his young
manhood and tell me everything
that might have the least bearing
on this case. "He looked at Mother
Clark closely, Mother Clark, Joe
knew Streeter in the south?"
Mother hesitated.
HE knew Streeter."
"Yes," and mothers tone was al
most inaudible.
Tell me about it," said Jason
kindly.
Mother Clark looked away as II
forgotten memories to
aid her.
Jason waited, watching the
brown face. Not shelter
ed from care and worry like his,
Jason's mother, whose eyes were
clear and shining, her form still
erect, her gray hair waved and
coiffured with care. Mother Clark
had known heart tearing sorrow,
her body had bent under the lash
of hardships, aching lonliness had
stalked her.
AS mother began TO speak so
low, Jason, even in the small room
had to lean forward to hear her.
Eyes, we knew Jim Streeter in
the south. He was a near neigh
Dor for over thirty years."
you have talked with prosecu-
ton about-this?"
"Thav did aak mo about II hrt