He had attracted attention by his energy and push; he earned
money at various odd jobs and studied law at night. At this time
the boy was under arrest charged with disorderly conduct; he had
beaten his sister in their home.
We found a nice looking and well spoken young fellow who said he
was 17. Although he had been in this country only three years
from Germany, he spoke English almost without an accent and did
quite well with French also. He had been brought up in Hamburg.
His statement added to that previously given by the lawyer
aroused in us great interest concerning the constructive
possibilities of the case. It seemed as if here was an immigrant
boy for whom much should be done.
``I was taking up law suits, little law suits. There was a case
on before Judge O. and I wanted a new suit of clothes to wear to
go to court in. My sister said I could not take my brother's
suit. He told me to take it and bring it home in good condition
at night. My sister is supposed to be the plaintiff, but she did
not make the complaint. The landlady came in and hit me three
times in the head with a broom. My sister called her in and then
she threw a piece of wood after me.
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