The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-13 00:00:00

UNION-HALL.

Yesterday two boys named Gasby and Clayton, the
former nine, and the latter thirteen years of age, were
brought before Mr. Murray, each separately charged at
the Station-house with stealing a watch, the property of
Mrs. Crosby, a neighbour.
Mrs. Crosby stated that having lost the watch under
circumstances which she explained to the Magistrate,
raising suspicion against the boy Gasby, she had given
him in charge on the previous evening, although he had
stoutly denied the theft. She added that on that, the
following morning, the watch had been returned to her by
the father of the other boy Clayton.
Mr. MURRAY inquired if the father was in Court, upon
which the fathers of the two boys stepped forward, each
solicitous to be heard.

It having been stated that Mr. Clayton had come for-
ward voluntarily, without any previous suspicion against
his son, and not only restored the watch but delivered him
into custody, Mr. Murray allowed him to be sworn in the
first instance as to the circumstances under which he had
become possessed of the watch.
It was some time before Mr. Clayton's feelings would
allow him to speak, but having regained his utterance lie
requested permission, for the sake of his credit and cha-
racter, to tell his story at length, which the Magistrate
having granted, he proceeded to make the following state-
ment :

H.! said that he lived at 16, Pleasant-row, Folly, Dock.
head, and was the father of fourteen children, the youngest
was only born on Friday evening last, and that ten were
living. That his character stood unimpeached in every'
way, and amidst much calamity and many struggles to sup-
port his family, this was the first disgrace to which he or
they had ever been exposed. On the night before he had
quitted home to perform his usual duties of a private
watchman, leaving his wife on a sick bed, and had returned
home to a late breakfast in the morning. Immediately
upon entering his house he had observed from the altered
countenance of his children that something was wrong, and
not being satisfied as to the cause by them he hastened to
his wife's room. He found he greatly distressed and agi-
tated.(Here the poor man burst into tears, and said that
he feared that what had happened might be her death.)
Upon asking her what was the matter she said that of all
their troubles the worst was now come. Upon which, sup-
posing the child was dead he said " If the baby is gone
make up your mind to it, we have many good children left,
and may yet have more." Upon which she said it was
worse than that. He having never yet known shame asked
her what could be worse ? She drew a watch from under
her pillow and told him that hearing something heavy drop
from her boy's dress, she had upon inquiry discovered the fact
of his having a watch, but from whom or where be had got it
she knew not, although sha knew it must have been obtained
dishonestly. Upon this discovery, having heard of Mrs.
Crosby's loss, and the boy Gasby's apprehension, the truth
rushed upon poor Clayton's mind, and, notwithstanding the
disgrace, he at once determined on going to Mrs. C., de-
livering up the watch which he found to be her's, relieving
Gasby from the suspicion against him, and surrendering his
own boy up to justice. (Here the poor man again wept
bitterly.)
The boy Gasby having been diAcharged and delivered up
to his father, the Magistrate commended Clayton for the
honourable course which he had pursued, told him his con•
duct upon this occasion corroborated his assertion as to hii
previous respectability, and would he hoped, when it be•
came known to his neighbours, redound to his future ad-
vantage. An example of high principle and conscientious
feeling, which had dictated such behaviour under circum-
statleOS so trying to. him as a husband and a parent, de-

served to be held up to reward and imitation. Having
then addressed the boy, and extorted from him strong
marks of penitence, and finding that it was his first offence,
Mr. Murray said, that under such peculiar circumstances
he could not expose such parents to the. pain and ignominy
of committing their child for trial, believing, as he did, that
he would have every chance of being reformed under their
care. He, however, would advise the father to avow him
to be privately whipped by one of the constables of the
office. To this poor Clayton gladly acceded, and the
punishment under his own eye having,- been inflicted, the
boy was again admonished by the Magistrate and delivered
up tq his father.