GIVE UP HIS BOY?
NEVER, SAYS FATHER.
BRAWNY IRON WORKER WINS
ADMIRATION OF JUDGE.
Authorities Wanted to Send Clar-
ance Anderson to McCune Home,
but Request Failed After
Parent Told Story.
"Rather than give up my boy I'll sell out all I have in Kansas City and leave. The only thing which will separate me from my children is death."
Charles Anderson, an iron worker, said it and brought his big fist down on the table at one end of which sat Judge Porterfield of the juvenile court. Clarence Anderson, the boy, was in court Friday on complaint of the truant officer.
"Wouldn't you like to have the boy sent to the McCune farm?" asked the court.
"No. I have lost two children already," said the man, who swings beams in midair.
"You would not lose the lad if he went to the farm."
"I don't want him to go."
Then Anderson told his story.
"I have had a hard time to raise my family, but I have buckled down to the job, and mean to stay by it till the last rivet is headed. My wife is dead. I have a daughter who works afternoons. In what spare time she has, she looks after this boy and his smaller sister. Just to show you what I think of my family, let me tell you that I threw up a job at $150 with the American Bridge Company. That was because the work took me from home. I couldn't get anything in my line in Kansas City, and I had to follow the work, wherever it was. No I can work here, and I mean to stay by my family. You couldn't get me to give up one."
"Just keep the lad in school, that's all," said the court, with admiration for the ironworker's words and for a man who meant "to stay with the job" until it was finished.
