The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-19

dorff, who spread his hands with a gesture of incredulity. "One day she iss 8 great violinist; the next day she cannot playl do not un- derstandl"
 The two men talked each some what surprised after years of ac- quaintance at what he found in the other. Herr Berdorff was little distressed to fln. in Paris a strain of something that seemed at times not quite bitter, but per- haps verging near 1t. Something 8 shade disillusioned and doubtful.
 These darker tones in Paris were deepened when Herr Ber- dorf returned to Germany. His little congregation did not want him any longer. They wanted someone who was less devoted to music--someon more of pastor.
 Paris had begged him to stay, to take the chair of German at Aberdeen.
 "Parris!" Herr Berdorff's voice was stern. q am 8 preacher. My real work - that is for God. l could not do something else -- never"
 Paris stood up. T have to go. I can't talk now. I'll cry like = I'll see you tomorrow
 Paris hurried away. At the gate of the parsonage he stopped and looked out across the lower part of town where most of the professors people lived. Fools, fools - thickheaded - destructive foolsl"
 Herr Berdorfff had been gone two days and Paris was burning with a wearisome mixture of resent ment and regret when Cary White head called him. Whitehead, a lawyer with Colonel Skeffington's old firm, had called at the sug- gestion of Mrs. Skef1ngton, who hoped he might be able to do some thing for Benny Singer.
 Doctor, he's in serious trouble" Whitehead said. Seems that 8 gang of half-grown kids around Jinktown have been nagging him, playing jokes and the like for long time. This afternoon they were at it again, and this Singer fellow got a gun and shot into the gang-just outside of his gate"
 Any of them seriously hurt?"
 "He killed two of them, pr. Mitchell"
 Paris was favorably impressed with MT. whitehead. The young lawyer was intelligent looking, quick and sympathetic. He seemed to understand Benny's case almost as well as Paris, although Paris reviewed for him 3the boys early prosecutions by Fulmer Greens gang and others; Madame von Ems employment of Benny; the Colonels interest in him. Benny had worked on for Mrs. Skefington after the Colonel died.
 The commission appointed to examine Benny Singer and pass on his responsibility for his acts consisted, to Paris extreme dis may, of an antagonistic dc@Sor, Q pompous one, substitute professor of psychology, law partner of Full mer Green, the new prosecuting att torney, and the Reverend Mir. Cole, with whom Paris had had words when he first returned to Kings Row.
 Paris, acting chairman, con- trolled himself with the greatest difficulty through the courtroom proceedings. The discussion was personal vindictive, unintelligent and stubborn. Paris had no hope of conciliating these inexplicably prejudiced men. Yet he elaborated his thesis of temporary insanity, passing his arguments on Bennys life as he had known 1t from the days in primary school. He argued hospital and rehabilitation against prison or gallows. He reminded them of society's duty to the weak and the deficient.
 They were tight-lipped, unyield- ing. pr. Cole, indignant and self righteous, pivoted his judgment on chance to repay Paris for that old altercation. ~Dr. Cole fln- ished his expression of opinion with, Tt is our duty to hand this murderer over to the arm of the law and beyond that to trust in the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ"
 Paris raose and bowed slightly.
 You have helped this after noon to hand helpless man over to legal murder. I seem to recall that another judge in circum. stances not entirely dissimilar first washed his hands. I doubt, pr Cole, that such simple procedure would serve to cleanse your own."
 The color faded partly from the minister's face. He half choked over his words as he faced Paris.
 DO you realize that you are actually likening this idiot mur- derer to Christ in--in this ridicu- lous and insulting comparisonp"
 "Dr. Cole, some of the simple people of this world simple but deep and rich in wisdom - always speak of the mentally deficient as Gods children" You may remem- Der that the man whose name you use rather recklessly said: "In as much as ye did 1t not to one of the least of these, ye did 1t not to me" Remember?"
 He turned to the staring group