Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 January 1882 — A Lawyer’s Charity. [ARTICLE]

A Lawyer’s Charity.

The Brooklyn Eagle recently published an incident oQpracticul philantnropy which is worthy of extensive circulation, The chiif actor in the case is a well known Long Island lawyer, the subject of his benevolence a vagabond boy who had been indicted for grand larceny If/the court of oyer and terminer ip Long Island City. This boy did not even know his own name, and never knew his father or mother or any relation or friend. He had drifted around for years among the farmers of Queens county, doing odd jobs, and getting a night s rest where he cold. His hair was long, tangled and filthy. His face and hands were begrimed with dirt. His feet were shoeless and sockless, and a few unseemly rags Were his only covering. The crime of which he was accused was the theft of a horse and wagon, the fact apparently being that the lad saw the vehicle standing by the road, got inside, arid Went off for a ride, imagining, perhaps, for a time that he was a wealthy farmer driving to tbWu to collect SIOO,OOO or $200,000 for produce. He was caught, taken to jail, and indicted for grand larceny. Ou Wednesday when the poor little beggar was brought into cdurt, lawyer Mott was there, and, when he saw the young prisoner, his heart was touched. Under the patches of dirt on the boy’s face the worthy man saw lines of intelligence. The eye was bright and the movements were quick. The boy said he was 10 years old, but it was plain that he Was barely 12, and knew no more of bis own age than he did of the reign of Ptolemy. Mr. Mott went up to the prosecuting attorney arid said:

“Downing, give me this boy.” “Give him to you,” exclaimed Mr. Downing, “why, he’s to be tried for grand larceny.” “Never mind that,’’replied Mr. Mott; “I’ll take him and make a man of him.” .“That won’t do,” Mr. Downing said; “he’ll have to go to the house of refuge.” “Not until he has been tried and convicted,” if he is to be tried, I appear for him.” The lad was remanded for the day, and again appeared in court on Thursday. Mr, Mott repeated his request to be allowed to take the boy. “Don’t make any mistake,” said Mr. Mott; “I’ll take care of him. Ive got eight of my own and another mouth won’t make much difference.” The matter was referred to the Judge, and he, satisfied that Mr. Mott would do as he said, allowed the boy to go on his own recognizance. The next morning Mr. Mott saw that the boy was thorougaly cleansed from head to foot and his hair cut. Then a complete suit of clothing transformed him into another being. Mr. Mott went to Mr. Downing’s office, taking theboy wlth hiin. Mir. Mott has a son named John', and the lawyer practiced a pious'fraud on Mr. Downing. “Downing,” said he “this ferny boy John” "Glad to see you, John,” said Mr.

1 Downing, adding aside to Mr. Mott, ‘He’s a mighty smart-looking lad.” re4e,” said Mr. Mott, “he is. Don't you remember seeing him before?” “No, I can’t say that I do,” Mr. Downing replied. “Well,” said Mr. Mott, “this Is the boy you indicted for grand larceny and wanted to send to the house of remge.” Mr. Downing was astonished and gratified as well. That evening Mr. Mott took the boy home with him. He behaved like a gentleman./ When bedtime came Mr. Mett led him to a small room which he had prepared for him and left him there. Soqn afterward Mr. Mott went back to the boy’s room aud glanced in. The little fellow was knellng by the bedside praying aloud. As Mr. Mott deseribedihfe scene his eyes were filled with tearsS. ’ “I heard him praylna for me and my wife and children,” said Mr. Mott, “and I never felt so happy in my life.’’ Next morning the boy was around attending to the cow and the horses before any one else was up. Mr. Mott said he had a man to do that,, but the boy said he liked to do it, as he had often done it for the farmers. On Sunday morning the lad was around early again and attended to the cow and hort-es as before. After breakfast he dressed himself aud went to church with the family. This morning he was up earlier than before, and long before 9 o’clock had finished everything and dressed himself. “You have got through early,” said Mr. Mott. “Yes,, sir,” the boy answered; “I'm going to Sunday school with the boys.” It may not be often that a homeless, dirty, ragged boy exhibits such characteristics of head and heart; it is certain that few such boys have the opportunity. We would, for their sakes, that there were more practical benefactors like the Long Island lawyer.