The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-09-01
Who Stole the Purse 2iI

4 SKETCH PROM TIE NOTE BOOK OF PRISON
CHAPLAIN.
Every one committed to duranee vile
is not guilty of the crime laid to his
charge. The experience of years, in one
of the largest prisons in England, proves
that a considerable per centage suffer
unjustly. Give n dog a bad name and
the whole city is i'm arms against him,
and he is hunted to desperation or death.
Circumstantial evidence alone is n
very dangerous theory to convict upon
in criminal cases, as the following sketch
will clearly illustrate.
In 1869, a pale-faced, emaciated, but
intelligent-lOOking boy of fourteen Years
of age was brought before the Stipen-
diary Magistrate, and was charged with
having stolen a sum of money from the
shop of his employer. The poor little
fellow was in the deepest distress, and
felt keenly the degradation Of fstanding i'm
the felOn's dock.
whats your name?" asked the
magistrate.
With faltering tone he sobbed out
his name, which, however, was not
caught by the bench. The officious
police officer roared out in a tone which
made the little fellow shake i'm his shoes,
Don't be snivelling, you young rascal,
but hold up your head and answer his
honor. Tell him YOUR name"
Harry EsmOnd," humbly replied the
boy.
"Where do you live ,"
"In Jerry Hill street, Toxteth Park,
sir"
''NOw, Mr.. Stubs, what is the ease,''
said the magistrate with some interest.
''The old story, your honor" replied
the clerk, rather familiarity. "rhieving.
He's stolen purse containing over
twenty pounds, and won't give any ac-
count of il whatever"
"Where are the witnesses ?''
"Here, YOUR honor. The gentleman
who lost the money and the boys en-
plOyer."
''Go ON with the case"
The boys master stood forward, and
after swearing upon the book, proceeded
to state the case. He was keen
featured man, love Of gain stamping
his manner and acts with shrewdness
and self-sufficiency. He grasped the
rail of the witness box with firmness
which showed his self-possession and
determination to have the accused made
an example of for the whole fraternity of
shop boys.
With a pompous tone he thus stated
the case: ''rhis gentleman came into my
shop, your honor, to purchase some
goods. He paid the sum of four eigh-
teen six, ordered the parcel to be sent
home, and left the shop; but in the
course of ten minutes returned for his
pOeket-bOOk, which he missed, and was
confident that he had forgot it ON my
counter. This boy, Harry, had been
with me but few weeks, and ! re-
marked that he hurried away out OF the
shop Immediately, and did not lay my
ewes on him for three days afterwards.
There was no one i'm the shop at the time
but Harry and myself The pocket-book
was gone. and no one in the world would
suppose stole it. This lad must have
stolen il, for he can't or won't give any
account fit. I verify believe he is an
incorrigible young thief and vagabOnd.
He is one of those streets Arabs whom
/ took out of charity and set to work,
and this is the return he makes me. He
was poor, naked little beggar, whom l
clothed and fed, and he thus adds in
gratitude to his villainy."
as that all, sir ?'
eyes, your honor. / hope you will give
him at least five years to a Reformatory,
to teach other lads not to rob their en-
plOyers."
The owner of the lost purse then stated