"Little Gray Mother" Given Another Chance, 1916

 

Woman Who Looks Like 'Little Gray Mother'

is Given Another Chance

Julia Harpur Promises to Take Pledge and Reform

Published April 27, 1916

 

On the cover of one of the most popular songs of the day, "The Little Gray Mother," there is the picture of a sweet-faced, sad-eyed woman.  A woman, who from appearance might have been the original of that picture, walked slowly with head bowed to the prisoners' bench in Police Court this morning.  She was Julia Harpur, 41 years old, accused of being unable to keep out of the police net more than a week at a time during the last several years.  Two years ago she was sentenced to the Mt. Magdalene Home in Troy.  Nine days after she was released she was arrested again in this city and sent back to the home.  The day before yesterday she was again released and last night was again arrested, charged with public intoxication.  She wore a dark suit this morning and a plain black hat, and looked like the mother boys tell about and say they hope to go back to after they leave home.  Judge Hart read her the charge, and she pleaded guilty. 

"I don't want to keep you locked up forever," the Court told her.  "Isn't there any place you can go and turn over a new leaf?"

"If you suspend sentence today, your Honor," the woman said quietly, "I'll go home to my old mother and I'll never touch another drink.  I'll take the pledge and I'll keep it."

"Where does your mother live?" the Court asked.

"Chenango Forks"

"Will she take you back?"

"Yes, she wants me."

"This is your last chance.  Go to Chenango Forks.  I'll see that you are held in the detention ward until train time and will send an officer with you to the station.  If you come back, and I suppose you will, you will have to go to the penitentiary."