The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1871-09-01

reef He had lost over twenty pounds l
i'm the way described-and lie saw no
one in the shop but this boy and his
master, and the lad made his escape
before he returned TO tell his loss. He
1ras ouite Dositive he had not lifted the
nnrss for he remembered distinctly
where he laid it upon the counter, near
where this boy was tying up the parcel
of goods. He had not the least doubt IN
the world that he had stolen 1t, and
made off with itduring his short absence
His not turning uptO his work lOr three
days was proof against him. lie hoPed
his honor would give him sentence
which he would not soon forget.
/ These young rogues ought to be made
an example OF. Itwasn't good trying to
/ lift them out of the gutter. WHATS
bred in the bone is sure TO come out III
the flesh"
"Now my boy" said the magistrate,
''have you anything TO say? You nave
heard the evidence of your master ana
this gentleman, who lost his money, ana
the case looks very black against you"
''DO you wish to say anything, or to
1 eXplain-eh ?n
The poor little fellow was so much
alarmed with the surroundings of the
court and the apparent severity of his
hearted man, who did not wish i'm any
way to intimidate this almost infant
culprit-that he sobbed out in a confused
manner
"No, sir; please, sir, didn't steal it,
"DO you know anything of this lad? ,"
asked his worship.
"NO, sir" answered the officer; "but,
| believe him to be an ungrateful young
thief"
''Remand him for seven days, for en-
lquiry. Stubbs, call the ehaplain's at
tention to this boy; possibly he may get
him to tell what he has done with this
money. If no new light is brought to
bear upon the case we must commit him
for five years to n RefOrmatory school.
Evil must be checked in the bud, and
we must teach these street urchins that
kindness must not be repaid by such
base ingratitude."
Poor Harry EsmOnd was taken down
: to the bridewell cells, sObbing and sigh
ing as if his heart would break. He sat
down upon the wooden stool, and the
cell rang with his cries of, "Oh what
will become of poor Eddie? Oh what
, will he do?n This was his little orphan
brother, the only kith and kin he had il
, the world. Outcast and friendless as hI
was now left, he had warm, affection
ate heart, and a noble, generous spirit
| But three weeks before, he promised hi
D mother upon her death-bed that h,
, would love and protect little Eddie. Th'
destitute and helpless condition of hi
e orDhau brother made him weep and sol
e more than his own critical position. H
: was innocent, but poor Eddie was on tn
+, streets homeless and friendless, withOu
one in the world to look after him
Where would he sleep, and who wOult
/ now find him bread He was too littl
n to work, and among the crowd of boy
: who "shined" and begged at the Soutl
Il End, he had no chance of picking up
; copper. This thought and his owl
= knowledge of the dangers and of tn
n temptations of the streets, made hin
inconsOlaDle.
n my desk, bearing the official blue STAN
d of the Central Police Court, calling m.
\ attention 10 this boy.
/ found him crying, as if his hear
e were bursting, and sobbing out, "Oh
V Eddie Eddie who will take care O
. YOU now? ~ The moment he saw who
: was, he rushed to the door, and seizin
( me by the arm in the most piteOus an
/ entreating tones said, "Ohl sir, will yO
It will you look after my little brOthe
Eddie and put him in the Boys Refuge
We have no father, and mother die
three weeks ago. Do, sir, if you pleas,
take care of Eddie ~
Having heard this sad story, prom
ised at once to find Eddie and place hin
y in the Boys Refuge.
"But what about this purse and tn
lie twenty pounds ?'
is II didn't steal it, sir, for L never sa,
Ie it, and what's more, know nothing of it.
5 He was straightforward in his manne
ar with an open, genuine disposition, an
a felt that he was telling the truth.
\, lad at his age who had been knockin
\. about the streets so long, and showing
n much love and dfore-thought for his lit
m orphan brother, could neither be Ii;
IN nor thief.
determined to be present in court c
1t the day fixed for his further examini
Is tiOn. When the case was called on, ii
4 magistrate asked me if had any repO
IN to make. To which | simply replie
lie this boy does not look like thief, al
le from his disposition, | am quite col
III WINGED that he did not steal the purse.
m "All very well, but the evidence
against him. Are the witnesses
le court ~
YES" replied the clerk.
ut The gentleman who lost the none
Of was again in the witness box, and, ha'
Is ing taken the oath, proceeded TO detail
IN as before, the circumstances of the cas-
:, "NOw, sir, you hear yourself what Il
4. gentleman states. Do you any long,
is doubt that the boy stole the purse ?"
81 admit that all the circumstances a
le against him. Still, L believe him inn,
cent Permit me, though know ha,
no right to such a privilege, to ask I'll
k. witness a question or two"
- ggN-nrr ufafoI Won ,s,foao,T x-,,,,. ,,,,.
~ after leaving Mr.. Browns shOp?"
4 ayes, sir-with over twenty pounds
ii it,"
=. "GOu are quite positive that YOU didn
sr take it away with you when you left ?
2 ''NO, sir; / did nOt.n
"IOu might have done sO?"
''But, am as certain as am standin
N here that did not"
l. could you not have dropped it, theI
in your hurry ,"
81 tell you, sir, hadn't it to drop.
ii placed il upon the counter, near to wheI
a this boy was makingup parcel. LOoI
/ you, reverend sir, | am as certain tha
% that young rascal took my purse, as | al
: sure that you are sitting next to mi
Ie iordshipn
S ''You came back to the shop-ho,
"a soon ~
lie "Within five minutes or so"
n "And the boy was gone ~
ayes, sir and my purse, tOo.u adde
ii the witness very sharply.
y The witness seemed to have the hest {
Ie the case, and the court believed that her
l. was another cOnfirmatory proof tina
n prison chaplains have more heart tha