Laguardia

I recently heard a story about Mayor Laguardia which is worth repeating.  He was the mayor of New York for eleven years from 1934  to 1945.  One evening he decided to go to the courthouse and dismissed the night court judge for the evening.  He presided over several cases but one stood out.  A poor woman was arrested for stealing bread for her family.  She was in ragged clothes and look emaciated.  When brought before the mayor, now acting as judge, she asked for leniency. The store owner was adamant.  He refused to drop the charges.  Laguardia tried to convince the shopkeeper but he refused.  He believed that he had to make an example of the poor woman so that others would not steal from him.  Finally, Laguardia had no choice.  He said ten dollars fine or ten dollars in jail.  The woman gasped.  He then reached into his pocket and paid the ten dollar fine and then ordered every single person in the courtroom to pay fifty cents to the woman so she could feed her family.  It came to forty-seven dollars which was a great deal of money during that period. The shopkeeper even gave fifty cents.  Laguardia felt that in that day and age no one should go without food.  It was a very good lesson in kindness and at least forcing people to do the right thing which is what the Good Gus series is all about.  All the stories have positive morals and values. The Good Gus Series is available online at Kindle, Nook and Waterstones. Hard copies, personally autographed, are available through our website www.goodgusbooks.com along with past blogs for your reading enjoyment. Digitizing for all the books are available now!  “Misplaced Trust” is now available on Amazon in e-book form.