Page:Upbuilders by Lincoln Steffens.djvu/166



a strong, manly fellow. He’s not going up there to be punished. That isn’t what Eddie needs, and that isn’t what Golden is for. Is it, fellers ?”

“No, sir,” the room shouted.

“It would be unjust to punish Eddie, but Eddie understands that. Don’t you, Eddie ?”

“Yes, sir, but” (blubbering), “Judge, I think if I only had one more show I could do all right.”

“Eddie, you’re wrong about that. I’m sure I’m right. I’m sure that after a year or two you’ll be glad I sent you to the school. And I’ll be up there in a few days to see you, Eddie, myself. What’s more, I know some boys up there — friends of mine, that’ll help you, Eddie; be friends to you. They won’t want to like a kid that cries, but I’ll tell ’em you need friends to strengthen you, and they’ll stay with you.”

All forenoon this goes on, the boys coming up in groups to be treated each one by himself. He is known to the Court, well known, and the Judge, his personal friend, and the officers of the Court and the spectators, his fellow-clubmen, all rejoice with him, if he is “making good,” and if he is doing badly, they are sorry. And in that case, he may be invited to a private talk with the Judge, a talk, mind you, which has no terrors for the boy, only comfort. They often seek such inter- views voluntarily. They sneak into the Judge s