Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 2.djvu/508

This page needs to be proofread.

494

THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

social environment than to natal characteristics. Her face is ugly and repulsive, and her whole demeanor shows under-vital- i/ation and degeneration on account of her mode of life. Some years ago she married a colored man named "B ," who subse- quentlv died. She has four children, one white and three col- ored, each OIK- having a different father. The oldest was born a long time before her marriage. The woman works a little, does considerable foraging and tramps the street much of the time, but is considered a harmless creature so far as social order is concerned. With her, as with all of the remainder, sexual relations are irregular.

" X ," (Fig. 6) the oldest son of "A ," is about eighteen years of age, and has a fair degree of phvsical strength. He is not much at home but remains most of the time in the portion of the town known as " the badlands." Several times he has been apprehended for stealing. More re- cently he has done a little

work. He has intellect enough and sufficient physical endurance to be- come a criminal if his mode of life is not changed. "X " is sup- posed to be always "find- ing work."

"S,"thesecond child, (Fig. 7) is also a colored boy, about fourteen years

of age. He is inclined to stupidity, but shows extreme good nature and is perfectly contented with a happy-go-lucky life. When questioned he shows a disposition to do something if he had a chance. But with a real test he is inclined to

FIG. 5. G ; A.