-^^-n*.. ^ ' • • « \ ^•l°x. - sO -> ^.^ Josephine Segal, Author THE JUDGE'S DECISION BY JOSEPHINE SEGAI, PRESS OP REVIEW PUBLISHING & PRINTING CO. PHILADELPHIA 1907 [llfeRARY of CONGRESS Two Copies Received Cwyncht Entry cUsS (X KXCmNo. /7S6> V U COPY a. 1 Ti) 3^^I ^ ?? 3 3 <^ i ^ ^1 Copyrighted 1907 by Josephine Segal ^:k o'^ «i DEDICATED TO MY FRIENDS Oh! would that I could know the fate. Of this little book, that I dedicate To my friends; who, I surmise, Will laugh or cry, then — criticise. The Author ''Tell me how long I can live; Doctor, please? It cannot be long, With this sort o'disease. But I'd just like to know — So please tell me true; But, don't tell Jimmie — This is 'tween me and you; You know Jimmie drinks — And sometimes he's bad, And of times he's crazy — And strikes his old dad. When he gets sober. He's sorry ye know — So I just forgive him And let it all go; When I was first married, I drank, so you see Jim is not to blame, He takes after me: THE JUDGE' S DECISION, I was not very kind To my wife in those days; So I've little to say — About Jimmie's bad ways, God knows, I've regretted Those years of the past. But, I reap as I sowed And life's ebbing fast." The Doctor looked at him. Steady and strong; He thought that to tell him, Would not be wrong; For he saw there before him A man without fear. One that would not be frightened, By what he might hear. ''Your cough is bad — You are careless at best — What you need is good food And plenty of rest. You must be careful. About taking more cold — You are getting quite feeble — You know you are old. [JHE CXXTOR. LOOKEO >'AT HIM §TE1A£>Y ANP STR.oMc5 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. If you're careful you'll live, Six months or so, I'm sorry my man — But, you wanted to know." The old man went home — Just out of the town. To a little old farm house Faded and brown. He was cold, and weary. Sad and alone — As he ate his supper By the old hearth-stone. He thought of the days — That had passed and gone, Of friends and comrades That had died one by one. The most of his family. His father and mother — A dear sweet sister. His good Christian brother. All were gone, also his wife. Whom he had loved. Better than life. He thought of the fortune, THE JUDGE'S DECISION. Squandered and spent, Of the gifts of great love, That God to him sent. Of how he'd abused — The talents to him given. And forfeited his right, To happiness and heaven; I know it is just — 'Tis heaven's decree. All that is left- Is Jimmie and me. The clock struck ten. And Jim had not come, He knew he must go To bring the boy home: The night was dark, Rainy and cold, His coat was thin, Ragged and old. The cough was racking And shook his thin frame, But he tried not to think. Of himself, and the pain. He reached the small town, .^j^s; ss'Se '^v^ .&" THE JUDGE'S DECISION. Passed down the main street, When the shouts of the boys, His old ears did greet; They were throwing stones At a man who lay. Out in the gutter By the old road-way. When he drew near, He saw it was Jim — He was cursing the boys, Who were laughing at him. He drove off the boys. Then said, ''Jimmie come — It is time you and me, Were getting 'long home.'* The boy then said, ''Go home you old fool! Do you think, I'll be led. Around like a mule? Why are you always Coming for me? I can take care of myself — You shall see. '' He tried to get up. 10 THE J U DGE' S DECISION. But fell on his knees, Then the old man said, ''Now Jimmie please — Just let me help you I know you are weak.'' He helped him up, But dared not speak. He feared Jim's wrath, And words of abuse; And was ready to make, Almost any excuse; ''He ha.d not come To bring him at all, Had just started out. On a neighbor to call; Heard the boys laughing Heard the rude shout. And, had come to see — What it all was about. So Jimmie, don't mind — Its a bad night to roam, Soon we will be. By the warm fire at home." The old Collie trotted THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 11 Along in the rear, And kept to the side Of his master in fear, If he got too near Jim — He'd receive a rough kick; From Jim's big boots That were heavy and thick. As they walked up the hill, In the cold frosty air, The wind whistled shrilly. Through the trees that were bare. The old man shivered With weakness and cold. It took all his strength Jimmie to hold; The light in the window, Shone out in the night. Way down to the gate — To guide them aright. But Jim stumbled — And swore at the path. Any excuse to give vent — To his wrath. When the door was opened — 12 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, To get out of the blast, The old dog tried — To push his way past. It made Jim angry He gave him a kick — And opened the door, Said *'get out of here — quick!" The old dog whined, And limping away — He crawled to the barn And slept on the hay. The old man found him At morning light. He had lain with a broken Leg all night, He could not stand Upon his feet — He could not drink. He could not eat, His eyes were bloodshot He growled in fear — He would not allow Any one near. He had been so faithful. THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 13 It hurt them to see, The poor old dog In his misery. He told Jimmie to go, To the town and bring Chloroform — '' 'twould Be the best thing;" Ah! well he remembered When his poor wife died How the old dog lay On her grave and cried; He had loved his mistress Was her willing slave — Weeks — after her death. Would visit her grave Late in the night— When all were asleep. He seemed to think he Must watch there keep; The Collie had been So honest, and true. Tears came to his eyes For what he must do. When Jimmie came back. 14 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, He said, ''Dad, I hope You'll have no trouble In giving the 'dope. ' I am sorry, I did it (And his face was so sad). But, you know when I'm drunk My temper is bad." The old man spoke up In a voice rather rough, ''Never mind Jimmie now! Give me the 'stuff.'" He poured some on a towel Threw it o'er the dog's head In a very short time. The Collie was dead. They uttered no word But watched to the end. With tears in their eyes; (They had lost their best friend). Jim w^as sorry — He had liked the old dog. And when he saw him Stretched out like a log He said "Father— THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 15 What a nice thing it is To get out of one's misery As quickly as this.'' What was left in the bottle He placed on the shelf — Saying ''I may, sometime Use it myself. ' ' They dug the dog's grave In one corner of the yard; The ground was frozen So the task was hard. They buried him there And when all was complete — Placed a stone at his head And one at his feet. He missed the dog — When he sat alone, That used to lie On the old hearth-stone. He missed the patter Of his feet on the floor — He missed the joyous bark At the door — The lick of the tongue 16 THE J U DGE' S DECISION. On the withered hand. 'Tis hard for some To understand. The bond of friendship, That hes between Man and beast; There are few — I ween Who see the faithful look, In the big brown eyes, Hear the joyful bark Of glad surprise. The wag of the tail, And worshipful gaze He proves his devotion. In various ways, There are many ties But not the least, Is the bond of friendship 'Tween man and beast. A few weeks after. The sky was o'ercast With great black clouds: The wind blew a blast: The night closed in THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 17 With sharp hail and sleet, That drove the people Off from the street. At noon, Jim had gone To the village to buy. From the grocery store A goodly supply. (The old man had given him Plenty of money. To get tea and coffee Sugar and honey). He waited impatiently For him to come, It was long past the time. He should have been home. As he got up and tottered Across the old floor, He uttered a prayer — As he opened the door. That the wind and storm Would stop very soon; And that Jimmie was not In the village saloon; He scanned the road. 18 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. That led to the town, And with a sad heart Went back and sat down. He looked with remorse, At the opposite chair; How many times Had his wife sat there, V/aiting, and watching, And longing, for him! Just as he now. Was waiting for Jim. He thought of the sorrow — And trouble he'd given To one, who now, Was resting in heaven. How often she had begged Of him, again and again. To give up the drink But pleaded in vain. It seemed that a devil — The demon of drink! Was urging him on To the end — to the brink! He thought of the time IJOV THE'i:UPircH&C>HI§ FOCrTSTERS, THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 19 When he was a youth, Had beheved in God — In virtue and truth. V/hen he loved, and married A maiden most fair, With laughing blue eyes And golden brown hair; He thought of the time The baby first came. They called him after The Grandfather's name. How they watched his footsteps, When learning to walk. Their pleasure in listening To his first lisping talk: How the mother's heart sw^elled, With joy and with pride As she walked vv^ith the beautiful Boy at her side. And her eyes were filled With tears and alarm. When he first went to school With his books on his arm. He grew to manhood. 20 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. Was wonderfully bright, But the taint of rum Was in his veins there to blight. Yes, the blood of the drunkard Ran strong, in his veins. He drank with a thirst That muddled his brains; The heartbroken mother, Oft with him pleaded. But, her tears, and her prayers Were by him — unheeded; Her grief w^as too great Broken her pride She gave up at last. And very soon died. They laid her away In the grave yard — lone. And the husband in grief. For the past, w^ould atone; He knelt by the grave — By the hillside and swore, — That never again Would he touch any more Strong drink, not The blood of the drunkard Ran strong, in his veins. THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 21 Even a drop. For when she was dying, She had asked hhn to stop! Had said, ''Take care of the boy — Jimmie, my son. He is not wholly to blame For what he has done. I soon will leave you — I'm dying, I know, I'd die happier, if with me — Jimmie could go; He cannot reform — It is born in the blood. The temptation to drink Is as strong as a flood." The old man waited, And watched, in the night. He went to the window To place a small light, He thought, how often She had placed one for him, Just, as he now — Was doing for Jim; As he thought of the past, 22 THE JU DGW S DECISION, He gazed at her chair, He seemed to see her, Still, sitting there; It seemed perfectly right. She was there in her place. With the same patient look On her sad, svv^eet face: He asked her *'If she had come Back to stay — If she was happy in That land far away; If she wanted the old home To see?" All she would say — was ''Bring Jimmie to me.'' He must have dozed. He was aroused from this state By the embers of Y/ood, That fell in the grate. He looked at the chair. It was empty again. The wind howled, Driving sleet on the pane. The storm had increased. THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 23 The dock struck ten, He put wood on the fire, And was waiting — when He thought he heard The chck of the gate. He was glad he had No longer to wait. As he walked to the door, He made up his mind: He would not be cross. But, would treat him most kind. He knew only too well. When Jim stayed out late. He came to his home In a very bad state; As he opened the door — And came staggering in. Shivering with cold — His breath strong of gin. ''What! you up yet? You make me mad! You think you can spy on me 'Cause you're my dad. Don't stand there and stare. 24 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. Go on to bed — Go on now, I say! Or I'll punch your old head." The old man's accents Were tender and mild, As he looked with compassion On his poor wayward child. ''Never mind son — 'Tis a terrible storm. Come out to the kitchen. And get yourself warm. I'll pull the old arm chair, Right up to the fire. We'll have some hot tea; And then we'll retire." He finally got him in bed. When he slept — The old man stood by His bedside, and wept; ''It will surely be best." From his lips came a moan, ''For when I am gone. He'll be left all alone, No one to give him THE JU DGE' S DECISION, 25 Drink or to eat, No one to care, if he die — On the street." He tottered out. To look on the shelf — For the bottle of stuff He had put there himself. '^This is dreadful to do—" And he bowed his grey head, ''But, I know I shall rest When I am dead To know that he's gone! When my life here shall cease, There can be no joy Like a death bed of peace." Pouring the stuff on a towel, He went to the bed. And solemnly laid it — Over Jim's head. ''Sleep on my son. 'Tis better you go Than to live and suffer. In this world of woe; Your mother said 26 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. ''Bring Jimmie to me;'' Soon I will come — Then together v/e'll be/' He went back to the kitchen, And sat down to wait, For the dawn of the morning To tell him his fate; All through the long night. His vigil he kept. And several times So sadly, he wept. The fire threw shadows. Upon the bare floor. The wind shook the shutters. And rattled the door. The fire died down The room grew chill. The light went out On the window sill. Not a sound came From the closed door; He had gone to listen Ten times or more: The day was breaking THE JU DGE' S DECISION, 27 Cold and clear, He watched the darkness disappear; He coud not go, To that room again, 'Twould cause him Too much sorrow and pain. To see the face of his only child White in death — Would make him wild! He took his coat — And hat from the rack, Went out and closed The door in the back; Out in the cold frosty air. To the street. With the crisp snow crunching Under his feet: He was going to give himself Up to the law. And what they did to him. He cared not a straw. The sheriff and he — Had been friends always, They had known each other 28 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. From boyhood days, But, 'twas law and justice — Not friends — at this time, He knew he must answer, For his great crime; He went to the sheriff — With his hand on the bell He was wondering how He'd have courage to tell; When the sheriff came. And invited him in, The old man said ''Sheriff I've committed a sin — I have murdered my boy! I killed him last night: I came here to tell you As soon as 'twas light. The old man looked So white and forlorn, His garments were thin — Tattered and torn. He could not believe What the old man said, But thought he surely THE JUDGE' S DECISION. 29 Had gone wrong in the head. ^'Come right in and sit down My friend, Now tell me all From beginning to end." He told him everything With tears in his eyes, And to all of his questions Made sane replies; They locked him up In the old stone jail, And refused the many Offers of bail; He had many friends. In spite of his crime; Who believed he had Been insane for sometime. The old man waiting Grew haggard and thin; He longed for the time V/hen the trial would begin. When they brought him in court So wan and worn. The hearts of the people 30 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. With pity were torn; When the witnesses were called, They told one by one, What they had seen And what they had done, They had found the boy With a look of peace, on his face, No sign of a struggle, Not even a trace Of violence, malice or evil intent. They fain would believe It an accident; The judge arose Asked the prisoner to stand; (The prisoner expected A severe reprimand) ; He arose to his feet In a tottering way — The court room was silent. To hear, what he'd say. When the judge spoke The court held its breath, ''Prisoner you've committed a sin That is punished by death. IHIe: AKOSE To HL§ FEICT THE JUDGE'S DECISION. 31 A cardinal sin You have murdered your son; May God forgive you For what you have done. You may tell the court, Of the deed and the time, And what induced you To commit this great crime.'' '^111 tell you the truth. Judge, If you'll allow me to speak;" He commenced with a voice, Both feeble and weak. ^'You see judge — I've only A few months to live, And when I am gone Who is there to give My son a home? So worthless Vv^as he No one would want him Around them — you see! He killed his mother With his wayw^ard ways, She worshipped the boy But, he shortened her days; 32 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. She was a good mother She was a good wife, She was a good Christian All of her life. Tears of trouble Hastened her fate, He learned her worth. When it was too late. How oft have I When drink made me wild, Poured out curses On her and her child: I see her now kneeling in prayer, Asking of God — ''To help her to bear, To soften my heart To temper my wrath. To take the curse of drink From her path. She prayed for strength In accents wild! That she might live To rear her child; That God would make me THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 33 Mend my ways — And end our lives In peaceful days:" She might have lived — I could have been Respected and loved By my fellowmen. Instead of lying In a murderer's cell, With my soul condemned To the tortures of hell! So long the wayward Path I've trod, I dare not plead My cause with God. I have killed my son As all of you know; I do not repent — 'Tis better so! How vivid the scene Comes back to me, As a child I knelt At my mother's knee. How she prayed to God 34 THE JUDGE'S DECISION. To guard and guide, The steps of the httle one By her side; But evil companions And bad advice Will always the weak And silly entice: I know too well — Of what I speak, And deserve the justice That you will wreak. I confess my sin! That is all I can do — I deserve no mercy — I expect none from you.'' The prisoner ceased He sank into his seat, He looked so haggard. Worn out, complete; A great wave of pity O'er the court-room swept — Not a sound was heard, But, the women, who wept. The most of them neighbors. THE JUDGE'S DECISION, 35 That had known him, for years, In their hearts there was pity In their eyes there w^ere tears; Again the judge To his feet arose, A few last words The trial to close. ''Citizens and jury! What a pity! To think! That this is the end — And the curse of drinkl 'Tis hard to retrace, The steps once astray — That leads to hell — On the broad highway. The boy who would go His way unheeding, Should stop and listen To his mother's pleading. The purest love That God has e'er given; Is a mothers' love — Recorded in Heaven. ' ' The jury retired 36 THE JUDGE'S DECISION, In solemn procession; They were forced to agree By the prisoner's confession. As they returned, And all took their places, There were among them. Many sad faces; The foreman arose — And with lowered head — ^'We find the prisoner Guilty — " he said, ''But, Judge we would like you To pardon the man. At least be as merciful. Judge, as you can." The Judge stood up. And with tears in his voice, He said ''The jury has not Left me much choice; Prisoner, stand up — I have little to say, Go to your cell And earnestly pray — That God will forgive you THE JU DGE' S DECISION. 37 For this great sin, As this is the greatest Pardon to win. Officer take the Prisoner away — Sentence is suspended 'Till some future day.'' i ^ h "^^ .^^ ^LVL'^'V <^ aO h**o-» ""^ Deacidified using the Bookkeeper procei '^ \ ^ ^ *^^^^6?A*^ ^^ ^"^ Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide r ^ «^rO*»«A <^^ rt^ •«•♦•* Cranberry Township, PA 16066 WERT aOOKBINDJNC Crantville. P«, Sept— Oct 198S