Many of these young men come from country homes in search of employment, and not finding any, after they have spent their capital, they eke out a precarious living by doing odd jobs or even panhandling. After a time they become seedy in appearance; sever all connection with the loved ones at home; lose all ambition of ever amounting to anything or securing employment. Then they mingle with criminals, who present to them some “rosy scheme” to get ready money without working for it, and when they seek to carry it out, find themselves in the meshes of the law. Now they have discovered by experience that “The way of the transgressor is hard.” If, however, they had sought steadily to do what was right by shunning the saloon and the companionship of evildoers, the result of their brief city life would have been different. Some time ago a young man, twenty-seven years of age, was in the Jefferson Market Police Court. He had wandered to New York months ago from a New England home. Although a graduate of Yale, and a law student, filling many important and lucrative positions, yet he lost all by strong drink, cocaine and evil companions. As soon as he was sobered he found himself to be a moral and physical wreck. It seems that when he had exhausted all his resources and his clothing became torn and tattered, the only employment he could find was to play the piano in a Tenderloin saloon for free “drinks.” Perhaps the reason that so many young men really break into prison is that they have acquired sinful habits in their youth which have grown on them with the years. They refuse any longer the advice of friends and are unwilling to learn by experience, and like men void of understanding, they rush into crime, like the horse into battle, only to meet disaster. Some of the larger Rescue missions of the city do a vast amount of good in caring for these young men. But many are “pauperized” and in the end become chronic panhandlers. And the same “bunch” is found in the missions from year to year and are no better. Put them to work sawing wood or breaking stones or indeed anything, and if they are able bodied and refuse let them alone. Feeding them only prolongs their misery. It is a sad fact, though nevertheless true, that many young men do not learn by experience. As soon as they are out of one trouble, they seem to rush into another, until Society is compelled to protect itself by sending them to prison a second, or a third, or even a fourth time. The reason doubtless for this is that the young criminal in a great number of cases gives way to the low instincts of his morbid nature, or he has acquired sinful habits in youth, which grow on him through life, and he readily gives way to them when tempted. The heredity of crime is simply giving way to natural depravity that has never been curbed.