The day book. [volume], March 14, 1914, NOON EDITION, Image 22

About The day book. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1911-1917

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
Andrews. He turned, and across the
courtroom the eyes of the financier
and the stenographer met. At the
sight of the great man, Spear flushed
crimson, and then his loop of despair
slowly disappeared; and into his eyes
there came incredulously hope and
gratitude. He turned his head sud
denly to the wall.
Mr. Thorndike stood irresolute and
then sank back into his chair.
The first man in the line was al
ready at the railing.
Other men followed, and in the for
tune of each Mr. Thorndike found
himself, to his surprise, taking a per
sonal interest. It was as good as a
play. t
So great was his interest that he
had forgotten the particular derelict
he had come to serve, until Spear.
stood almost at his elbow.
Thorndike j turned eagerly to the
judge and saw that he was listening
to the rotund, gray, little man with
beady, bird-like eyes who, as he talk
ed, bowed and gesticulated. .Behind
him stood, a younger man, a more
modern edition of the other. He also
bowed and, behind gold eyeglasses,
smiled ingratiatingly.
The judge nodded and, leaning for
ward, for a few moments fixed his
eyes upon the prisoner.
"You are a very fortunate young
man," he said. He laid his hand up
on a pile of letters. "When you were
your own worst friend, your real
friends came to help you. These let
ters speak for you; your employers,
whom you robbed, have pleaded with
me in your favor. It is urged in your
behalf that at the time you commit
ted the crime' for which you are found
guilty you were intoxicated. In the
eyes of the law that is no excuse.
Some men can drink and keep their
senses, it appears you cannot. When
you drink you are a menace to your
self and, as is shown by this crime,
to the community. Therefore, you
must not drink. In view of the good
character to which your friends have
testified, and on the condition that
you do not touch liquor, I will not
sentence you to jail, but will place
you in charge of the probation offi
cer." The judge leaned back in his chair
and beckoned to Mr. Andrews. It was
finished. Spear was free, and from
different parts of the courtroom pep--pie
were moving toward the door.
Their numbers showed that the
friends of the young man had been
many. Mr. Thorndike felt a certain
twinge of disappointment. Even
though the result relieved and' de
lighted him, he wished, in bringing
it about, he had had some part.
He was moving out of the railed
enclosure when Andrews called him
by name.
"His honor," he said impressively,
"wishes to speak to you."
"The law, Mr. Thorndike, is not
vindictive," he said. "It wishes only
to be just. Nor can it be swayed, by
wealth or political or social influ
ences. But, when there is good in a
man, I, personally, want to know it,
and when gentlemen like yourself, of
your standing in this city, come here
to speak a good word for a man, we
would stultify the purpose of justice
if we did not listen. I thank you for
coming, and I wish more of our citi
zens were as unselfish and public
spirited."
It was all quite absurd and most
embarrassing, but inwardly Mr.
Thorndike glowed with pleasure.
The chief clerk and two bank mes
sengers were waiting by the automo
bile with written calls for help from
the office. They pounced upon the
banker and almost lifted him into the
car.
"There's still time!" panted the
chief clerk.
"There is not!" -answered Mr.
Thorndike. His tone was rebellious,
defiant. It carried all the authority
.of a spoiled child of fortune. "I've
wasted most of this day," he declared,
"and I intend to waste the rest of it.
Andrews," he called, "jump in and IH
give you a lunch at Sherry's."