OCR Text |
Show RESENTS THE CHAM OF VAGRANCY E. E. Chase, an aged man, charged with vagrancy, very stoutly denied thru he was anvthln bm a hard working work-ing man out of employment. Despite his protests, he was found guilty otitic ot-itic charge and sentenced to serve thirty days in prison. Detective Wanllaw, who arrested Chase, was called to the stand and told Ihe story of the man's arrest. According to the officer, Chase has no visible moans of support but Is a soit of ward of the police otlicers. Thj old man spends his time In the city paik and has been sleeping on tho park benches during tne summer and fall. "Wo Just brought him in." said the officers, "for his own good. It is Retting pretty cold in the paru at nights and he ought to have some warmer clothing. If we Keep him around here awhile, we will be able to fix him up in more comfortable con ditlon when be leaves." Chase refused to recognlxe the philanthropy phil-anthropy of the arresting officer and denied that he wa in any manner dependent upon the uenerosity of the police for a living. 'I work I'oi anything that I get." he im-isted "and I don't want any help from the city I've been working up till a short time ago and I have been trying to get work right along" "How hard have you tried'" asked tho judex, smiling. 'i r- tried as hard as anjbody else tries." retorted the prisoner, apparently appar-ently offended by the question ot the court. "Well. I'll yive you 30 days in pri.v ! on" drawled out the Judge. "ludse, you're awful nccommodat-in:r." nccommodat-in:r." was the piisoiur's parting shot at tho court as he loft the witness chair and wps led by the jailer to tlie prison door. |