Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-10
CHARLEY ROSS.
The Missing Boy Believed to Have
Been Seen in the streets of Milan
His Keepers Two italian Beg
notwithstanding in
Italy.
Special Correspondence of the Chicago Times 7

Special Correspondence of the Chicago Timesl
MILAN, ITALY, June 20.-About one year
ago some excitement was created here among
Americans by the appearanceln the streets OF
strolling party of musical beggars, having
with them a boy supposed to be Charley Ross,
the stolen boy of America. This opinion was
based upon his actions, and the picture and
description of the boy seen in America. When
attention was first directed to him there were
several children listening to the music, who
continued speaking to each other IN the Eng
Gsh language, hearing which he left the per.
formers and joined them, and seemed to
recognize the language. This was noticed by
one of the keepers, who, in apparent alarm,
hurried to him and rudely Jerked him out of
this company, and the party LETT. This ex-
cited the suspicion Of a lady from Cincinnati,
who saw the affair, and the circum-
stance and the resemblance were
talked over among Americans. In
few days afterward the party was
seen in another part of the city, and lady at
distance of a rod or more spoke in English,
saying, Charley, come to me" He seemed
to understand, and started toward her, but
was again seized rudely, and with angry
words hurried out of sight. All further efforts
were defeated by their suddenly leaving the
city. Some ten days ago the same party again
appeared In the city. The party is composed
OF a possibly deformed man, who sits In a
hand-cart, and Is drawn about by villain
ous-looking man, each about thirty five to
forty years old, of v,ry dark, swarthy skin,
hair and eyes black. The boy plays an ac-
cordeon, and the man. horse collects the cop
pers The boy is judged to be eight or nine
years old; eyes large and bright blue; features
open, refined and delicate; fair clear skin;
regular white teeth; hair light, approaching
red; faint freckles about the nose: of delicate
or slight build; seems bright and cheerful.
His appearance and manners will con-
vince the beholder that he is not an
Italian, and IN no way akin to his keepers.
The interest In this case was intensified by
the knowledge of the practice in this country
of stealing children to aid IN the practice of
beggary and all manner of catch-penny exhi-
billions. A bright, handsome child is small
fortune in the hands of strolling vagabonds.
A few months ago the three-year-old son of
one of the prominent citizens of Milan was
stolen from the nurse who had him in charge
in the public garden. The police force was
set to work, and in twenty-four hours
by aid of a citizen who hap
pened to see a crying boy carried
along a back street, he was found IN garnet
occupied by a strolling organ grinder. So
prevalent has been the habit OF child stealing
that no one under ten years of age Is allowed |
to 90 into the street, or to and from school |
without an attendant Children. are not al |
lowed to leave the school-room for a moment |
without protector. Dwellings are so con-
structed that no one can enter or leave a |
house without the knowledge and consent of |
the doorkeeper, who is always at the post of |
duty. Hence 1t Is an easy matter to prevent |
a child from escaping the vigilance OF parents |
or servants. From the time they walk till |
the age OF maturity they are as prisoners I'M :