THE STORY TELLER

Preview: This story is about the struggle of one man whom would attempt to clear the name of another man, convicted not so much of any crime, but of the prejudice of the people.

Walking into the cemetery was a lone man . The graves here were unmarked, other than location numbers . It was late afternoon, and there was a drizzly rain . A young man stopped at a particular grave and kneeling down placed a flower upon it. He then spoke to the person who had been laid to rest there. He told him that he would see to it that matters would be cleared up, and that the proper respect and burial would be given to his friend and hero. Jake Hawkins was determined. A young lawyer, this would prove to be a case that would make or break his career. Of course he wasn’t to popular with some of the residents of Hammondville . His client was Albert Sturgess. Known to some as just the bum who lived in the park, Jake Hawkins was determined to clear the name of Albert Sturgess and set the record straight. Filing a motion in court, Jake Hawkins would ask for the matter to go to trial. It became a trial that eventually would gain attention to the town of Hammondville. The case was set, it would be “Albert Sturgess” vs. “The Town of Hammondville”. To some Jake Hawkins was just trying to stir up trouble and make a name for himself at there expense. The trial date was set and Jake Hawkins knew that his reception around town may not be hospitable . But he was used to it. As a youth Jake lived in Hammondville. Jake had no guidance, nobody to look up to. With no father, his Mother found it hard to control him. Jake would run the streets with other youth. These kids didn’t necessarily get into trouble, but when a petty crime took place, they were the ones who usually took the blame. The only one who would give them the benefit of doubt was the old homeless man who lived in the park, Albert Sturgess. He knew what it was like to be treated as an outcast. He couldn’t offer shelter, but what he did offer the troubled youth was companionship, someone to talk to, someone who would listen. They each had a mutual respect for one another. How Albert started to gain there trust was using the one gift he had to offer. And that was entertaining them with stories of adventure and fantasy. Jake would come to admire the old man. At first not even knowing his name, but to Jake and the other kids it didn’t matter. Eventually they would come to know each other on a first name basis. Neither the kids nor Albert Sturgess asked questions of a personal nature of each other. Jake, being one of the older kids, would say your past is just that, in the past. Don’t let anyone hold it over you. Albert Sturgess taught the kids many things. For instance he convinced them they were worthwhile. He taught them that everyone has a gift. It was because of Albert Sturgess that these kids had something to look forward to. And in his mind, just maybe they would turn out ok. Albert figured that as long as they were happy and believed in themselves, they had a chance. And Albert always seemed to smile and was a happy go lucky type of person. He never would have a bad thing to say about anyone, not even the so called upscale residents of Hammondville. But it was these very same people who despised Albert and looked upon him as being a blight on there town. It became a mission to them to dispose of Albert Sturgess, because people like him would ruin the town and drive down property values. Certain committees were formed and there task was to find ways to preserve Hammondville and to keep it upscale. Of course one task that had to be carried out was to get rid of the likes of Albert Sturgess. Albert never bothered anyone, but they always seemed to find a reason to have him arrested and keep him out of the park. When the kids were not around Albert would occupy his time with doing different things, like feeding the birds, or catching a nap when he was tired. And as Jake would point out in court, Albert Sturgess was not a bum or panhandler. Albert supported himself with a pension check from the government, and by doing odd jobs for anyone who would give him the work. But still Albert Sturgess was labeled a homeless bum. But the funny thing was, he didn’t pay it any attention. He didn’t feel he had to justify himself to anyone. All he would do was continue to live life as he seen fit. He didn’t ask or want anything from anyone. Yet it’s as if they saw this lone homeless man as a threat. Jake Hawkins would endure threats and also attempts to scare him away, but to him it was a sign that he was beginning to make ground in his struggle to right the wrongs. In some places Jake Hawkins was denied simple things such as service in a restaurant. He could sense the anger among some of the townspeople. But Jake knew this wasn’t about a cause. It was his attempt to see that justice was done. Jake hoped that before this trial was over, others would see his point of view. The day that the trial was to start had approached. As a precaution Jake asked for and was granted police protection. They escorted him to the Hammondville courthouse. He was nervous, but hoped he could maintain his composure. As the trial got under way, his opposition tried to paint a picture of the whole matter being blown out of proportion, and treated it like it was a joke. Hammondvilles attorney, Lance Jordan, tried to convince the jury that this trial was nothing more then the attempt of one man to make a name for himself at there expense. But Jake was undaunted by the attack. When his turn finally came to address the court, he did so in a calm and cool manner. First thing Jake did was to point out that his client being deceased some 15 years, had no way to defend himself. And he also asked where anyone got the idea he was doing this for profit. Just who was supposed to be paying him? Certainly not Albert Sturgess. Being deceased and the fact that he was homeless and poor would make it impossible for Albert Sturgess to pay anyone. Jake Hawkins was doing this because to him it was the right thing to do, that and he looked up to him and loved him dearly. In his opening comments he calmly started out by pointing out flaws in the opening statement of his opposition. For one thing Jake wanted to know why one single homeless man was viewed as such a threat. Just what was it that this one old homeless man could do to anger so many. Jake made it clear that Albert was neither a threat or a bum. Jake asked if there was anyone who could testify that Albert Sturgess ever begged or panhandled. He told the court that his client supported himself by a pension check he received from the government, and by doing odd jobs. Jake told the court that his client never bothered anyone, but would always have a smile and a kind word for anyone who was willing to listen. He also challenged anyone to step forward who could show proof that Albert Sturgess caused physical damage to the area where he stayed. Newspapers in town began to take notice of the trial from the beginning, not so much that they were taking sides, they were just searching for a good story. Lance Jordan, when he was to get the chance to speak, went about trying to build a case. He was just as strong willed and determined as was Jake. Lance Jordan went about telling everyone that the trial wasn’t about the persecution of Albert Sturgess, it was in his mind that the trial was about enforcing the law, nothing more. Nobody was singled out, and nobody was a victim. All that the people were trying to do was see to it that Hammondville was kept safe and free of those people who had the potential of becoming violators of the law and a blight on the towns good name. Jake was incensed by the comments, but kept himself under control. Jake knew that part of what Lance Jordan was attempting to do was cause him to lose his composure so it would cause him to make mistakes and lose the case. Then it was Jake’s turn to address the trial. Mr. Jordan says that this trial is about upholding the law, and he called the people of Hammondville upstanding. Well, no doubt that some are. But those people who were responsible for persecuting my client, are nothing more then a lynch mob. Lance Jordan objected to Jake’s comment, but the judge allowed him to go on. First of all, my client was not a blight or a criminal. He was a human being who was even denied the decency of being treated as such. My client never broke the law or ever bothered anyone, yet he was subjected to the humiliation of being arrested whenever the good people of Hammondville seen fit. Not once did anyone try to find out anything about my client. He was instead automatically condemned as being guilty. Lance Jordan then had another turn to speak. First off, my opponent would want you to believe that we owe his client, that the people of Hammondville are in the wrong. Nobody has condemned anyone. One fact is true, his client was a homeless bum, so by locking him up they actually did him a favor. After all, in jail he had a roof over his head, 3 meals a day, and it was all provided for him. Lance Jordan did his best to point out that Albert Sturgess was better off in jail then living in the park. Jake Hawkins could hardly sit still while listening to the comments being made by Lance Jordan, the attorney for Hammondville. When his turn came to speak again, Jake spoke with resolve. He pointed out that to say someone was better off in jail then out, was a slap in the face. To deny someone the basic right of freedom was against everything that was decent, everything that this country stood for. Jake pointed out that when Albert Sturgess was denied his freedom and put in jail, that he became so distressed and sad that he lost his will to live. In his opinion he died of a broken heart. Jake pointed out that a great injustice had been done and he was going to see to it that those responsible would be forced to admit there guilt, and that they would pay for what they had done. Jake Hawkins knew that as the trial went on that he was not very popular. But he was prepared for whatever come his way. As Jake tried to relax, his mind drifted back to when he was a youth and knew Albert Sturgess. He admired the old man because he was willing to take the time to listen. And like the kids, Albert was unpopular with most of the townspeople. But Albert remained upbeat. He didn’t let the opinion of his enemies bother him in the least. On one occasion Jake Hawkins could remember Albert Sturgess telling him how sorry he felt for those who hated him. Albert always seemed sort of happy and Jake remembered Albert telling him that he didn’t hate anyone. That he refused to hold a grudge. Let them do the hating. Albert truly felt sorry those people. As Jake Hawkins lay in bed trying to relax, the telephone rang. Jake answered the phone, and upon realizing it was a crank caller, Jake bowed his head in disbelief. The person on the other end of phone told Jake that he should cease the trial and get out of town or his life could be in danger. Jake told the crank caller that his phone call only gave him more resolve and now he planned to pursue the case even further, which also included taking the case to the public and the press. The phone went silent and before hanging up Jake thanked the person for making him feel now more then ever, that he was doing the right thing. Jake sort of smiled as he hung up the phone. He then tried to get some sleep for he knew the trial continued the next day. Before Jake went back into the courtroom he compiled more information and evidence which he planned to present to the court. As he walked into the courtroom Jake wouldn’t even look towards the audience who had come to the trial. Interest was up, and it seemed more people were taking notice of the trial. Local newspapers were also interested in more complete coverage of the trial. Taking it all in stride, Jake was about to start presenting material that would get everyone's attention and turn the case in his favor. To say the least it would surprise most of the people. And in time, Jake hoped make them feel ashamed for how they had looked upon and treated Albert Sturgess. When Jake would get his chance to speak, he was ready. His opposition felt the same way . One wasn’t.

Chapter 2

When Jake Hawkinns started to speak there was some surprised and shook up people before he was finished. He asked, Who was Albert Sturgess? Someone shouted out, a bum. This caused some laughter, but Jake paid it no mind. Jake turned towards the crowd, that was one thing he wasn’t. Jake was about to reveal secrets Albert Sturgess had kept hidden, how he kept certain things to himself. Most likely hiding things that had caused him so much pain, that it forever affected his life. Jake asked if anyone ever knew Albert Sturgess, not for what he appeared to be, but for who he truly was. After getting no answer Jake went on. Did anyone here know that Albert Sturgess received a pension check from the government ? It was this check and doing odd jobs around town that Albert Sturgess supported himself. He never begged for anything, never stole from anyone. Jake asked if anyone knew what he received this pension check for? He told everyone at the courthouse that day that Albert Sturgess received a pension check from the U. S. government because he had served his country during both WWII, and the Korean War by serving in the Army. Jake told the courtroom how Albert Sturgess, during the war had been trained for and served in the infantry. He was trained for hand to hand combat if needed. Albert Sturgess seen a lot of action during both wars and had been wounded. He also won several medals and awards for his service to his country, and his bravery in doing so. Jake then showed them to the courtroom. How he obtained them, nobody knew or asked. Albert, like a lot of veterans, chose for the most part to try and forget this. Most likely because of things he had seen or was forced to do. Jake then told the courtroom, and what was his repayment for serving his country in two wars and risking his life? To die in a small town jail and to be looked upon as a bum. Everyone here today should be ashamed. After revealing the facts about Albert Sturgess, many people did feel shame. Some bowed there heads, others even cried. The courtroom remained silent as Jake Hawkins continued. And he asked the courtroom if anyone could possibly know what could have happened to a man who should be considered a hero, to cause him to wind up homeless and living in the park? Jake told the courtroom that Albert Sturgess used to live in another state, and at one time was married and also had a son. After a long trip, Albert was returning home with his family. It had been raining out fairly hard and for some reason Albert lost control of his vehicle. Albert was the only one who survived the crash. When the police arrived they found Albert kneeling on the ground, cradling his dead son in his arms, crying hysterically. His wife was laying on the ground nearby. It was this tragedy that caused Albert Sturgess such grief and sorrow, that he not only gave up on life but himself as well. He must have blamed himself for the loss of his family. The guilt was something that he carried with him to his death. Jake said that even through he had known Albert Sturgess for some time he never knew anything about these events until just recently when he checked into Albert’s life. Jake said had he known he would have hugged the man and cried for him. Lance Jordan had nothing to say other then asking the court to drop the case. The judge himself, overcome by emotion, dismissed the case. But Jake arose and said dismissal wasn’t enough. He said it was about time that Albert Sturgess be given a proper burial befitting a man who so bravely fought for his country and suffered such personal loss and grief. Shortly after the trial, Albert Sturgess was moved from paupers field and buried in the veterans cemetery in Hammondville. An ivory casket with white trim was donated and Albert was taken to the cemetery in a horse drawn carriage. Following the casket to the cemetery were many of the veterans who lived in Hammondville. Walking along with them, in front was Jake Hawkins. When the funeral reached the cemetery, a graveside service was held and those present lay a flower on the casket to honor Albert Sturgess. A headstone had been donated which paid respect to a fallen hero who served his country with honor. Being the last one to speak, Jake Hawkins walked forward, touching the casket. Well my friend, you can now rest in peace. He told Albert Sturgess how much he loved him, and that he would always be remembered.

The end

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