The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-09-03
WHO STOLE THE PURSE.
A SKETCH FROM TIE NOTE BOOK OF A PRISON
CHAPLAIN

CHAPLAIN.
Every one committed to durance vile is not
guilty Of the crime laid to his charge. The
experience of years in one Of the largest pris-
ons in England proves that Q considerable per-
centage suffer unjustly. Give dog bad
name and the whole city is in arms against
him, and he is hunted to desperation or death.
! Circumstantial evidence alone is dangerous
the following sketch will clearly illustrate.
In 1869, pale-faced, enlaciated but intelli-
gent-looktng boy Of fourteen years Of age was
was charged with having stolen sum of
money from the shop of his employer. The
poor little fellow was in the deepest distress,
and felt keenly the degradation of standing in
afelon's dock.
"What's your name y asked the magistrate.
With . falteriDg tongue he sobbed out his
name, which. however, was not caught by the
j in a tone which made the poor little fellow
4 shake in his shoes. "Don't be snivelling, you
young rascal, but hold up your head and an.
sWer his honor. Tell him what's your NAME"
Harry Esmonde," said the boy humbly.
where do yon live :"
"In Jerry Hill street. To1teth Park, sir"
Snow, Mr.. Stubs, what is the case Z" said
the magistrate, with some interest.
1.-THE old story, your honor" replied the
clerk, rather famiiiarly. "Thieving He's
stolen o purse containing over twenty pounds,
and won't give any account of it,"
where are the witnessesT
"Here, your honor. The gentleman who
lost the money ana the DOy6 employer"
$50 with the case" ,f. t . ...... .
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 mapners and his acts
with shrewdness and self-spficiency. He
grasped the rail OF the witness-box with a
frmness which showed his self possession and
determination to have the accused made an
example of for the whole fraternity of shop
boys.
With n pompous tone he thus stated the
ant iyrtr ruxY uhNr,
honor, to purchase some goods He paid me
the sum of four, eighteen, six, ordered the
parcel to be sent home, and left the shop; but
pocket-book, which he had missed, and was
confident that be had forgotten it on MY conn
ter This boy, Harry, had been with me but q
away out of the shop Immediately, and did
not lay my eyes on him for three days after
wards. There was no one in the shop at the
time bnt Harry and myself The pocket-book
was gone, and no one in the world would sup
pose I stole it, This lad must have stolen it,
for he can't or won't give an account of it. l
and ' vagabond. He is one Of those street
arabs" whom took ont of charity and set to
work, and this ,s the return he makes me. He
was poor, naked little beggar whom clothed
and fed, and he thus adds ingratitude to his
lis that all, sirf'
eyes, your honor. hope you will give him
at least FIVE years to Reformatory, to teach
other shop-lads not to rob their employers"
The owner of the lost purse then stated that
the shopkeeper's evidence was correct. He had
lost over twenty pounds in the way described,
and he saw no one in the shop but this boy and
his master, and the lad had made his escape
before he returned to tell his loss. He was
quite positive he had not lifted the purse, for
he remembered distinctly where he bad laid it
upon the counter, near where the boy was
tying mp the parcel of goods. He had not the
and made off with it during his short absence
His not turning up to his work for three days
was proof against him. He hoped his honor
would give him o sentence which he would not
soon forget These young rogufs ought to be
made an example of. 1t was no good trying to
lift them out of the cutters. "What's bred in
the bone is sure to come ont in the flesh"
"Now, my boy" said the magistrate, shave
you anything to sayf You have heard the
evidence of your master and this gentleman,
who lost his money, and the case looks very
thing, OF to explain-ehf"
The poor fellow was SO much alarmed with
severity of his honor, though he was q kind
and large-hearted man, who did not wish in
any way to intimidate this almost infant Gull
Pit, that he sobbed out : in CONFUSED manner
"Do you know anything of this lad" said
his worship to the police officer.
Nc, cir: But, l believe him to be an I'M
"Remand him for seven days for inquiry.
Stubbs, call the chaplains attention to this
boy; possibly he may get him to tell what he
brought to bear upon the case we must commit
4 him for Ave years to q 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 ipgratitude."
Poor Harry Esmonde was taken down to the
bridewell cells, sobbing and signing as if his
heart would break. He sat down upon the
wooden stool, and the cell rang with cries Of
"OhI what will become of poor Eddief Oh
4 what will he dot" This was his little orphan
brother, the only kith and kin he had in the
world Ontcast and friendless as he was now
left, he had warm, affectionate heart, and Q
noble, generous spirit. But three weeks before
he promised his mother upon her death be6
that he would love and protect little Eddie
The destitute and helpless condition of hi
orphan brother made him weep and sob more
than his own critical position. He was limo
cent, but poor Eddie was on the streets home
less and friendless, without one in the world tx
look after him. Where would he sleep, ant