Around 1910, at least so the story goes, a man was waiting to ride the New York Subway. He was bumped and found himself falling onto the rails. His death was averted by the firm grasp of another waiting passenger who grabbed his arm and pulled him back. About four years later the passenger who had been rescued found himself standing before a judge, rightly accused of a capital offense. Surprisingly, when the jury pronounced their findings he seemed rather cavalier about the matter. His attitude was influenced by the fact that he recognized the judge – it was the same man who had rescued him at the subway. When the judge asked, "Have you anything to say before I give the sentence?” the young man rose and said, “Judge, you remember me, don’t you?" The judge repeated his question: "Have you anything to say before I hand down your punishment?" The condemned shouted, “Judge, I’m the man you saved at the subway. You remember me.” And, with sadness, the judge replied, “I do remember you, but that day I was your savior, today I am your judge."
