The New York herald., 1879-07-28
AN INFANT PHODIGY" IN CRIME.
HOW TEN-yEAE-oLD ERRAND BOY ROBBED
HIS MASTER.

a
HIS MASTER
DUBLIN. July II. 1879.
police case came before Magistrate woodlock
yesterday which probably surpasses anything which
the imaginative power OF the most fertile romancist
has ever dreamed. Michael Farringdon was put for
ward by Policeman No. 15s c, charged with stealing
about f3OO, or $I452. He alttle boy, diminu-
tive and puny that although his said to be ten
years he seemed much younger. That such mite
of humanity could quite unaided capture and carry
Off nearly 81 500. and then battle pursuit and hum
bug the police was beyond belief But the evidence
established incohtesably his claim to the solitary
glory Of the achievement. "Alone did it, may
henceforward be the motto of young Mr.. Farring-
don What may he not yet hope to accomplish in
the cracksman line!
MILK TRADE.
But the evidence tol other strange things besides
the infancy OF this precocious thief In Bishop
street. the verge of that celebrated part OF Dublin
which is known as ''The Liberties dwells Mr..
Joseph Cassidy, ''dairyman," that is. keeper of q
milk store. Mr.. Cassidys system Of banking IL
primitive in the extreme Behind the shop is
room which serves at the same time for parlor and
kitchen. In this parlor. che fireplace there is
q table with D drawer; and in this drawer. Mr..
Cassidy deposed the witness stand, there were
last Tuesday bank deposit receipts for f810. f20
in gold. and in bag five bank notes for
ESQ each, one note for co. half SOW
ereign in gold and other money not
exactly known of what kind or how much
that is. money and securities to the amount pf
over $500 lying loose in . drawer in parlor
cessible any one. Clearly keeping milk store IN
Dublin is very profitable occupation. athoush s an
going to the pump instead OF the COW to replenish
his Mr.. Cassidy. however. cannot be said to
leave his treasure unguarded. He has mother, an
ancient lady, who bears the name OF Reilly. having
comforted herself for the loss OF Mr.. Cassidy. Sr,
by giving him a successor in the coopering trade
named Reilly. He, too. has left her to mourn his
loss and to take care of her sons milkpans and
money. Mrs Reilly is an invalid bad at locomotion.
Her usual post is beside the table which docs duty
u bank for the Cassidy fortunes.
THE ROBBERY.
On the fatal Tuesday Mr.. Cassidy left hts house as
usual to look after his milking interests. But he
had presentiment of evil for was not his mother
Fitzgibbon-rather high sounding name for the
help Of a milkman named Cassidy. And young
Michael Harrington was there also. engaged to run
OF errands. He may have the drawer open, and
so hts cupidity WAS hred AT any rate he said to
Miss Christina, in a moment of fatal confidence-
''Oh! IL had only all the money that Mrs. Reilly
has, or the half OF it!' What would you do with
it?'' asked the wondering Christina. But the IN
genuous child, who probably then arranging
his plan Of operations. would no more than 'f
had it l would know what to do with it," Some one
called to Mr.. Cassidy little matter OF busi-
ness connected with the milk. and Mrs. Reilly went
the shop to with the visitor. Christina
also had lett the parlor. ana gone out. Young Mich
literally tide which taken ut the Hood leads
on to fortune" The drawer was locked. But by in
serting his tiny hand underneath the table, and at
the back Of the drawer (Which was too shallow for
safety. he drew out the bag. He left behind the
bank deposit receipts the twenty sovefeigns-in
all 81 $50. Probably they were beyond his reach.
he thought he had all when he secured
the bag. Or he decaMped at once.
There suspicion until Cassidy
returned about five in the afternoon. He wanted
some money and went to the drawer and 80 discov-
was frantic scene As soon as Christina could ges
the plundered to listen she recounted what tho
young hopeful had been circulating about Mrs.
Reilys money. Cassidy ut once rushed or to SECURE
and thence to Bray. clamoring about his loss and
asking every he met whether he had seen tho
young thief. When he returned he WAS like = luna
tic. declaring that he "had searched the town of
Bray and had asked every one whether he had seen
. strange little boy; !" but. OF course. in vain
A
Meantime young Farringdon had hid himself
somewhere till it WAS quite dark. Near eleven
o'clock at night he entered police station in the
very opposite quarter of the city from where tho
milkInan lived. He told the policemen that he had
come from Wicklow in search OF his father. bue
could not find him. having forgotten his sddrcss.
years he asked leave to remain in tho station
for the night. The compassionate policemen
not only allowed him to remain, but fed
him. At FIVE next morning Policeman NO.
1853 was sent to the Detective Othco
about some business There he heard of the rob-
berry and read description of the supposed thief
which wonderfully tailed with the young guest
from Wicklow. Receiving authority from the Su-
perintendent. he returned to his own station. ar
rested the young stranger. searched him and found
him f274 1885, 3D. Is ,314 66 in bag In his coat.
the that the lost money was recovered. And
Master Farringdon made his appearance in court in
the character of the Infant Prodigy ia robbing He
will now be allowed to graduate In refornatory.