EDITOR'S WALLET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2157, 27 June 1895, Page 49

EDITOR'S WALLET.

The Turning Point of Their Career. Some years ago in a London police court a young lad was brought up on the charge of having stolen a brooch from a jeweller's shop. In the evidence given, it was stated that the boy was an orphan, and in an utterly destitute condition, and that it had been hunger that had induced him to steal something with which he might obtain bread. The boy defending himself, stated his case with such precision, and with such forcible, if youthful, eloquence, that the magistrate not only discharged the boy, but afterwards bad him educated at a public school. There he distinguished himself so much that on leaving the magistrate agreed to defray the expenses necessary to allow him to enter whatever profession he chose. The boy selected the bar, for which his ever-growing faculty of forcible speech, as well as his abilities, fitted him, and he studied, and was duly " called." He is now a member of one of the Inns, and although not a Q.C. enjoys a practice almost worthy of one who has taken silk. Thus wai a boy, driven to crime by absolute want, saved from what might; have ultimately become a career of misdeeds, and placed oa the ro&d of an honourable and successful life. It was, we think, at Dublin assizes that the following occurred. A young fellow had fallen into evil courses through pursuing a habit of betting, and became involved iv so many debts that in a desperate moment he signed his employer's name to a big cheque. Like nearly every forger, he was found out and committed for trial,

At the assizc3 the caso took a long time. A whole string of trustworthy witnesses were called on the unfortunate fellow's behalf, and strongly testified to his exemplary conduct previous to the circumstances which had brought him to hia present pass. All in vain, however. The jury brought in a verdict of "Guilty!" and justice had to be satisfied. He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. On hearing his f entence the young fellow was dftZ'.cl for a fow minutes. Bub then, recovering himself, he stood uptight andaddmsedthe court. Ha had been sentenced, he paid, and he mui.t berve the appointed time. But at tho expiration of bis five years, sa far from having expiated his crimo, he would but be begiuuing to ezpoience the worst part of bis punishment. He would emerge from the dark shadow of the priron walls into a deeper bliekuess. Upon his name there would be branded the title of forger, thief, criminal. No man would speak to him on equal terms, and no one knowing his [ character would give htm employ mcut. To j live he would have to beg or steal a#ain. No other caurse would be open to him. What, he concluded, in pleading but thrilling tones, what could be do? One of the members of the grand jary was a well-to-do merchant, and to impressed was he by tho youDg fellow's earnts!; expression of (he helpless position he would be in after bis term of imprisinmenb that, on the spot, he promised to gife the prisoner employment provided he behaved himself well during the period of imprisonment. Everything went well, the prisoner was wellbehaved,- and in something under fcur years came out of gaol with a t'cket-of-leave. The merchant kept his word, and gave tbe ex-convict a position in bio office. From that day bo tins the latter h*s b>:cn one of the most exemplary of eruploje.s.