Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-11-29
From The Nep York San.
PRECOCIOUS ~DEPRAvITY.

A lad OF IA, named Joseph Lyons. whose
exploits are the subject Of this chapter. is a
little Bit OF the talIest specimen of Juvenile
depraviiy. as well as success in ~villainy, that
we have ever heard of. Some weeks since,
Mr.. John E Hunt. who keeps an extensive
grocery and victualling establishment under
the franklin Market. and advertised for a
boy to serve him in his store. The second
day after the appearance ofihe advertisement.
the boy Joseph, accompanied by his father,
waited on MY. Hunt as an applicant for the
situation. The, father represented that they
were but recently from Philadelphia, and
quite strangers in the city. that he was hun
selfabout going south to be gone some months
and that he should be glad to leave his son
with Mr.. Hunt during his absence. on trial.
Sc.
Mr. Hunt took the boy and saw nothing
more of the father.
About three weeks after his Induction in
his situation, Joseph unceremoniously abb
seconded but as he look nothing from the es-
adjustment. and as Mr.. Hunt had not. du.
ring their acquaintance. discovered anything
in Joseph to particularly attach him TO the
boy. no pains were taken TO look him up
Some six days after Joseph's departure, Mr..
Hunts establishment was very dexterorsly
entered. after il had been closed for the night,
and IS in cash taken from one of the draw
ers. Suspicion did not light upon Joseph,
however. as the perpetrator of the burglary
and rohery ill some days after. when one Of
Mr., Hunts men happening to be at Hoboken,
discovered Joe luxuriating Mt the EIysian
Fields on gin sings. the revolving horses,
and ia other indulgencies all which indica-
ted the possession ofthe wherewilhal to com,
pass such luxuries. and a sudden change In
the financial condition ofJoe's breeches peck
eis.-Upon these bare appearances, however,
it was neither polite nor safe TO interfere
with Joe's liberty or enjoymenis. and he was
left by the man in full possession OF both.
On the night ofthe following Monday the
premises OF Mr.. Huut were a second time en-,
tered, in the same way as before, and the
drawers swep, Of s3i 10 cash. which the bur
glar carried offin triumph. Joe was imme
diately supposed 10 be the author ofthe dep.
relation. and search was indusiriously made
for him during the day. but without success
till evening. when he was found by one o.
the persons on the look out for him at the
gallery door Of the Park Theatre. where be
was chaffering with another boy for o check
He was forthwith marched down to Mr.
Hunts store, relieved Of Sl4 found still uu
spent. and ofdivers new articles Of apparel
which he had purchased with the deficient
Sl7. He was then consigned 10 the watch
house OF the first district. which is directly
over Mr.. Hunts premises. in the third sloty
ofthe market and in the morning he was
taken before the police magistrates, through
whose instrumeDtality he was sent to the
House o fRefnge.
Mr.. Hunt now faitered himself thai, with
the walls Of the House OF Refuge between
them. he was safe from any further annoy,
ance from Joe and when on repairing te
his store on Wednesday morning last, he
was informed by three men who lodged in
his premises, that during the stormy and
tempestuous preceding night, the place had
been a third time burglariousIy entered by
removing a very small pane Of glass from
the back cellar. GA stolen from the drawers
the pockets ofthe s~leepe,s riaed. The stock
Of one taken, the cap of another. the suspen'
ders from the pantaloons Of a.ihird. and sun
dry other articles were from allthree abdnc,
ted. Mr.. Hunt could mol conceive il posi-
Bile that this again was the handy work ol
Joe. who, as he reasonably supposed was
safe under the bolts and bars at Bellevue
His men. however. were not so sanguine in