Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-06-06
WHO STOLE THE MDNEYS

luSullS, very pIduolblV lllolduSC
remember being in substance ae fol-
lows
n pale, scared boy, Somo fourteen
years old, was brought into the mu-
niclpal court, in neighboripg city,
one morning, evidently in great
tribulation, who was arraigned up
on charge of theft in his employ
er's store.
'What is your name ?" asked the
judge, quietly.
John Briggs" said the boy,
humbly.
'tWhere do you live ?"
"D1wn't North Eud, sir"
Nov, Mr.. Clerk, what is the
case ?" said the judge, with some
interest.
1.-The old story, your honor" re-
piled the clerk, famlliarly. "Thiev-
ing. He's stolen a pocketbook, and
won't give any account of It."
ttWhere are the witnesses p''
"Here, your honor. The loser of
the money, aud the boys late en-
ployer."
''I haven't seen any, your honor !;
and he don't look as if he were over
burdened in that way" replied the
clerk, sarcasticallY.
''Proceed with the evidence"
The child's employer took the
stand first, and state the case.
He was a well-dressed man, but
had hard features-a worldly mind
ed, selfish appearing person, and
thus testified
"a stranger came into my store,
your honor, and made a purchase.
lie paid me thirty dollars, ordered
his goods sent home. and went out,
but returned in a short time for his
pocketbook, which he missed direct
", and was certain he had left it
On the counter, carelessly. This
10y, Johnny, yonder, Lad been with
me but few weeks, and / noticed
that he hurried away out of the shop
Immediately, and / did not see him
for three days afterwSrd. There
was nobody in the store at the time
but Johnny and |. The money was
gone, and I did not steal it. He
had been able to give me no account |
o. it, or rather, refused to do so,
and there can be no doubt that he is |
the thief. took him out of the |
street, and set him to work out Of |
charity, and lis is the return he |
makes me. He was poor vagrant,
and has deceived me-"
"Is that all, sir ?"
Yes, your honor"
The owIer of the money then |
stated that the merchants teStimo-
ny was correct. He had lost seven
ty dollars III the manner described
that he saw no one in the store but
this boy and his master. and the lad
had disappeared on his immediate
return to the store, upon discover
irg his loss. He was very positive
he had not taken the wallet with
him, but remembered just where he
eft it upon the counter, near where
this J ohnDy was engaged putting up
the goods. He had no shadow of
doubt that he had purloined it and
got away with it during his brief
absence, for he had not been seen
about his business for three days af-
terwards by anybody, and he MOTTO
cd that the boy seemed uneasy and
restless during his stay there. He
could not afford to lose this money,
and thought such young rogues
should be made an example of.
Now, my boy" said thu Judge,
"haye you anything to say ? You
have heard the testimony of your
former employer, and the person
who has lost his money. and the case
is very much against you. Do you
wish to say ANYTHING, or explain,
ell 2"
The little fellow was so much
alarmed at the apparent severity of
his honor, though he was a just
man, an 8 good judge, and did not
intend to intimidate the culprit at
all, as knew from long acquaint-
ance with his grave but sterling
character-the boy was so confused
that he said /:
mo, sir ; can't"
"It is kind of case" said his
honor, "that is getting lamentably
common among us, and we must do
our duty, in the endeavor to check
the growth of this evil. Mr.. Clerk !
| shall coumit this boy to the house
of correction for one year."
And the Judge arose to adjourn