The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-08-12
A Training-School for Thieves

A Training-School for Thieves
While criminals were under arraign.
nent in the court of sessions, says The
Brooklyn Eagle of Friday, tall. slim
lad of II or Is was prowling around
the corridor, takinga look into the
; courtroom when the door was opened,
and retiring to the windows when an
officer showed his buttons.
An Eagle reporter passed and re-
passed the youth q dozen times, and
tried to get q good glimpse at 9his
countsnancs. After the Is prisoners
were removed, the reporter found the
lad leaning out of . window gazing,
languidlybatia- q hen and solitary chick
On on the grass plot below. AFancying
the youth might be 9 friend OF one Of
the prisoners. and be abls, perhaps, to
furnish some information, but. moved
more by something in the lads face,
the reporter accosted him: .o,.s -iir
"Did't l see you in the courtroom,
tjust now ?" ''.,''''' " -, ''''.-'..'' .'' -.
"A start. and . quick, frightened
glance followed this question, and the
lad arose from his leaning position
and, fixing large, soft blue eye on
the speaker replied: hl9h
No sir; YOU might have seen me
waiting outside" ........
"Well, you saw the prisoners come
cut anyhow, didn't you? ?" ~
eyes, sir. caught kind of glimpse
of them as they passed along"
"Nearly all Of the young fellows
like you. What do you work atfa
This in a gentle tone, and laying :
hand on the lads shouldcr.]
"Nothing SIR" ''" -''" 10
"That's pity, for work is a fence
that keeps out trouble."7fr 7hi
"I was never brought up, to work,
and don't know how to go about it. :.
The reporter examined the youth
more closely. His attire was utterly
shabby, and he wore pantaloons, that
fitted like an eePs skin, with blunder-
buss buttons. His shirt was common
and soilea, and an old alpaca jacket
covered it. But though his clothes
were mean, there was something at
.ractive about the youths person. He
was we'll made, his features were clear
ly cut and handsome, though, his COM
plexion was faded aud his general ex
preston worn and jaded. There was
an air about him and q tone in his
speech that brought up to the report.
er's mind 2 home vision Of refined wo-
man and gentle mannerd children. and
the face Of the youth among them.
"Have you father and mother ?"
the reporter asked, after short pause.
81 don't know sir; believe l have.
I havn't seen them for four years."
"Where do they live:"
''Ir Connecticut
"My young friend, can tell you've
been well brought up. Where did
you go to school2" <so~ .r-
"In Boston, at Prof. Gaylord's."
"Where arc you living now?"
81 stay at Mat DIS on Division
street, New York"
The reporter looked straight in the
lads eyes for half a minute. Then he
said: .-.
"Thats bad place. It's-a q nest of
young thieves. Some of the worst
young scoundrels in New York make
that place their headquarters" =" -.
He said nething, but cast down hi,
eyes to the window sill, and, q faint
flush of shame passed across his coun.
tenance. '',' >.
"Come up stairs with, me- the re-
porter said, "and have talk, where
we can sit and not be disturbed" -
The reporter, and his subject ascend
ed to the supre me court room, and had
half an hours conversations.
"Now, tell me frankly" the reporte,
said, chow You came 10 find out Ma,
D-'s.n7i ,i,iso1nr+ -in-'"8.
Away from the crowd, the lad't
manner changed. His face softened
his eyes grew moist, and "his voice
tremulous. 49, r,u ~
"I'm ashamed" he said, ''to tell yor
wbs i am. 80 My name is Alfred T
1 60 by the name of Jack Draper"
"And your father lives in Connect
cut?" ....l ,.1 ~-..
"No, he lives in Lowell, Mass. III!
is rich man" Pm his youngest"
The lad broke down and began Z
sob. The reporter let sorrow have il
course. Presently the bey grew com
posed. .-.,,.i n,s,5ra ST.
"How came you:te leave homer"
.."I got into gang of boys and learn
ed to smoke and play billiards. Faith
: er grew angry and beat me. once 0
!; twice. Then 1 stole his watch an,
$ two hundred and fifty dollars and