The Van Buren press., 1878-05-14
mo, sir, l did not"
/" You might have done SO.
~ Dat I.1,,b& o,,. ~

Dut ! uIun Y, Slt
"You couldn't have dropped it, then.
in your hurry as you went ?"
81 did not have it. left 1t on the
counter near where the boy was putting
up the goods. and have no question that
he took it,"
"You came back how soon2'
"Within five minutes or So"
"And the boy was gone I"
Eyes, sir, and the pocketbook ?" adj
ded the witness sharply.
That's all, sir" remarked.
And the gentleman sat down. had
not made much progress as yet, but l
next asked the lad to stand up, when l
spoke to him kindly, and said:
Johnny, why did you hurry out that
night as he says you did p
Cause mother was dreadfully sick,
said he tearfully; can my little Neddy
was all that she haes to take care oil
her. An went straiget home and
didn't know nothin' bout no money no
way"
"You went home because your moth
er was sick, How long has she been
sick z"
"A good while. sir
But why didn't you return to your
work !? Why were you absent three days
just them"
"Mother's died, SIR said the boy,
sadly.
"When did she die?'
"That night, sir. AMI staid away
I b,l 10 IN hor fupawol mi h
Neddy, an he's alone now, SIR"
"And you know nothing Of this lost
pocketbook Z"
Ihave never seen 1t in all my lire, sir !;
an don't steal nothin' never. for poor
mother allus said must be honest eff
starved and God would know it eff no.
body else found it out; an at wicked
boys go to the bad place. sir. l never
stole nothin', sir-neyer.
And here the little fellow burst into
tears, and could say no more. While IL
confess twas wiping my own eyes,
briefly, observed that his honor was
actually busily engaged in the same &C.
cupation But the court room was close,
aud it was warm day. Perpaps ii was
perspiration.
"Your honor said, after moment OF
silence and clearing of the throat, "the
prosecution here have surely no cause
tor conviction. don't believe this boy
knows any moro Of this money than you
or do. 1t has not been found IN his
possession; he had no chance to spend
it no one testihes that he ever had it,
save on supicion; and cannot think
your honor will imprison this child who
has so touchingly though innocently ex
planned himself. upon what is, at the
most, but crcumstantial evidence. He
says he is parentless, and think your
honor will not doubt this assertion The
ff aiaad Under eef,e s55d, was Ipqa iiy goiSa'
true woman, and John had not been
taught at home to be thief. evidently
l crave the lenicy of the court in the lads
behalf, and ! ask that Johnny may be
discharged, since there is no direct eyi
dence against him"
"You can go, johnny, said the clerk
with unusual pleasantness for him mo
ment afterwards, as the judge said some
thing briefly to his subordinate, and i'm
mediately adjourned the court, to the
evident establishment of the boys &C
cuser.
l shook the poor fellows hand, took
him out Of the court room with me, told
him who was at his own request, and
saw him running down the street az fast
as his legs would carry him, soon after
the reversed dicision of his honor. The
result of my voluntary effort in this at
fair was very gratifying to me, for l fell
assured the boy was innocent. But the
most agreeable part of the case was yer
in store for me.
About month afterwards poorly
dressed lad entered my law office, on,
cold, raw morning, cap in hand, whom
quickly recognized as johnny, who
said;
"Good morning, Mr.. s.. You
was kind enough to help me out, in th'
court. t'other day, sir
"Yes remember you. Come to thu
fire, johnny
"Thank you sir. It's pooty cold
sir"
Every. Where'syou overcort?'
"a what sir ?"
Your coat. Outside jacket
"Bless you, hain't got none. But
do not mind it. am used to it sir.
only came to thank you, sir, and to tel
you that IL is all right about the pocket
book. The man found it."
Where2 How2 l asked, with deel
interest"
Well, did it up in my hurry to ge
off that night, in one of his big bundles
that he bought He did not find it for {
week, COS he did not open the parcel a
home that it got worked into somehow
do not know how. But he went ant
told my master about it-who turned m,
off, you know, for stealing it, when
did not know nothing about it-anc
one of the shop boys told me of il yes
terday.
congratulated the lad and then indu
ced him to give me his history.
He was now an orphan, an intelligent
but uneducated boy, and one who hat
been bred in poverty. but honesty. Hi
good mothers counsels and teachings
had salutary effect upon his mind ant
influence which was lasting, | conceived
He was out of work and wanted employ
ment. | recommended him to neigh
Dor, secured him good place subse
quently.
| III al tnf. tn MN