HAD VIOLATED HIS PROMISE.
Druggist Who Sold Cocaine Fined
$250 in Police Court
When the "Black Maria" was being loaded at police headquarters yesterday with its daily load of prisoners for the workhouse there was one figure among the rollicking, happy-go-lucky crowd that attracted more than usual attention. It was that of a tall and aged man, his hair as white as the snow. He used a cane to feel his way up the steps and his high power glasses signified bad eyesight. Attendants had to assist the man into the wagon.
The unusual figure was that of H. B. Sargent, 70 years old, druggist at 1901 Grand avenue. He had pleaded guilty in police court to selling cocaine to J. M. Watkins, a user of the drug, living at 2127 Terrace street, and had been fined $250. Watkins, who was fined $100 on a vagrancy charge and sent to the general hospital for treatment, testified against Sargent. Mr. Sargent has a wife living at 3021 Oak street. There are no children. He said he was not able to give a $500 appeal bond.
Not many months ago the same aged white-haired man stood in police court charged with the same offense -- selling cocaine. The case was a clear one, but the court was lenient on account of the man's age and the oath he took. Raising his right hand high above his head he said in a trembling voice:
"Judge, I swear as I hope for mercy from my God that I will sell no more cocaine so long as I may live. I will not even keep it in my store. If there is any found there on my return I will cast it in the street."
Mr. Sargent was asked of that oath yesterday before he was taken away. "I made such an oath," he said, "and it was my intention to keep it. But there are two ways of looking at this thing. Here come a man and or a woman into my store. The eyes are wild and sunken, the face wan, drawn, and dreadfully pale. The form trembles as a leaf in a storm. They are too weak almost to stand. Cocaine is the only thing that will relieve them. Death might follow if they did not get it. I never put them in that shape, I know I didn't, but what am I to do?"
On account of Sargent's age efforts will be made to secure his release from the workhouse.
