Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1873-07-10
Kidnapping, and White Slavery.

It seems the victims of the kidnap-
per are not confined to black skins,
nor to Africa. The New York Times
gives sensational account of cruelty
practiced on Italian children, who are
kidnapped and brought to this coun-
try for the purpose OF making money
as street beggars. The Williams who
coin money by these children live in
luxurious idleness themselves. A lit
tie Italian boy who has been rescued
from their clutches, after having been
for three years subject to shameful tor
lures at their hands, reveals a system
Of cruelty that is not generally sup
posed to exist under the enlightening
influence Of Christian civilization.
One of the keepers OF Central Park,
man named Dennis, discovered this
boy in famishing condition and with
scarcely a rag Of clothes on him. Den.
MS shared his dinner with him, gained
his confidence, and, by means Of an
Interpreter, learned his story, by which
it appears that these kidnapped chill
dren ale given in the morning piece
of black bread about three inches
square, and are then sent into the
streets with a cracked violin, a trian-
ole, or some other musical instrument,
being previously instructed what to
say if any one should question them.
Each child has to carry back at night
at least dollar, or be numerically
beaten. Some of them stay out till
midnight through fear Of this beating.
They are thrust down a dark cellar,
where they sleep on straw; without
auy covering. Their task-master,
whom they call the ''padrone," i'm
presses his authority by pinching
pieces of flesh out of their ears-the
sears and seams Of which, remain as
witnesses to the cruelty. He also ties
them up by the wrists so as to cut
deep gashes in tie flesh. At last this
boy could bear no more, and ran away,
and after hiding several days in the
Park, was discovered by the keeper.
He says there are ten more boys and
four little girls in the cellar he came
from. which is on Crosby street. Three
boys made their escape awhile ago, and
one of them was found in the river.
He relates that while he was in the
house, some thirty or forty children
were brought there and taken away
again, having been sold to some other
man. He reports several houses in
Crosby street where these children are
kept; several in Green street, and a
great many in Mulburry street. He
exhibits continual fear that the pad
rome" will yet catch him and kill him.
1t was discovered that between
1000 and 5000 children, kidnapped
from Italy, are living under this outra-
geous system Of slavery in the large
cities of the United States, New York
being the great centre forthem. They
are put up at private auction, the boys
selling at prices ranging from 800 to
S30O-the girls from 500 to $500.
Where the girls are pretty the prices
90 still higher. 1t is said that two
little girls who are frequently seen tid-
ding in Wall street were sold to their
present owner for $1,000. And all
this under the shadow Of three hun
dred Christian churches. Isn't there
need of another abolition crusade Z?
If the authorities do not investigate
this matter thoroughly, and clear it up
root and branch it will be disgrace
to New York.
Senor Lucca, of Italy, the Italian
consul-general at New York, publishes
to-day card, asserting that the suffer
ings Of the kidnapped italian children
brought to New York as slaves have
not been exaggerated in the least
But so far from his being to blame in
the matter, he says he has been doing
his utmost to stop the inhuman traffic
As one result the Italian parliament
has just passed an act making trading
in children felony, and severely pun
ishing not only those who employ them,
but parents who consent to their EN-
ployment. .-HartIord, (Conn.,O Times.
To KEEP FLIES FROM Picture
FRAMEs.-Boil four onions in pint of