News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
THE BOY WAS A THIEF,
A Little Story of n Lake Steamer and a
R0bber.
from the Detroit Free Press.l

| ltrom the Detroit Free Press.
The boat was just casting off from the
| pier when a man in citizens clothes who
appeared to be greatly excited rushed
up the gang-plank and shouted to the
| Captain to wait. Three or four minutes
later it was understood that desperate
robber was on board, and that the ex-
cited man was his victim. None of us
remembered of seeing ga ragged, des-
perate-looking chap" come aboard, but
the man was sure of it, and we began
| search. Nobody wanted robber and
desperate aboard, and the search went
on with will. After about ten min
utes the man who had rushed aboard
uttered shouts of exultation. He had
discovered the arch villain hidden under
some furniture on the lower deck; and
| the mate produced a revolver and or
| Gered the fellow to come out or take the
consequences.
''Be prepared look out for him :"
cautioned the excited individual, and
three or -four more pistols came into
| view. and others secured bolts and bars.
The desperate came forth. He was a
boy of Is, ragged, dirty and frightened.
He had something wrapped up in a
! newspaper, but had no weapons.
''He's the one who robbed me-
there's his plunder!" shouted the vic
tim, and three or four men closed in on
| the lad
The package was taken from him and
opened. We expected to see bonds or
money or jewelry, but instead of that
our eyes rested on a half-eaten loaf of
bread.
81 hadn't anything to eat for two
days!" said the boy as he looked from
face to face, and his big blue eyes filled
with tears and his chin quivered.
''He's robber, and I'll send him to
State Prisonw exclaimed the man, as he
seized the boy by the collar.
''BY gum!' growled a voice from the
gangway, and fat, red-faced man, who
had armed himself with a heavy stick,
threw 1t down with a crash and pushed
into the crowd and asked:
''Boy, who are you 2"
"Tim Williams"
"Where's your home %
''Nnowhere
''Did you rob this man of that loaf of
bread 2"
''Y-yes, sir, but was starving"
ooh! you young villain, I'll stop your
thieving and robbingw shouted the
loser of the bread. ''Someone help me
get him ashorep'
''By gum p said the fat man, as he
felt in his pockets.
He fshed up nickel, handed it to the
baker, and continued:
''By gum! guess not! There's your
money, and stand by the boy! Yes,
sir-by gum, STRIP
"He's theft"
"Can't help that, sir! He's a boy,
and he was hungry and had no other
means to get bread. Pm his friend, sir
by gum, sirl Anybody who lays a
hand on that boy has got to climb over
me by gumr'
Fifty men cheered the fat man and
groaned the baker, and the latter grip
ped his nickel and walked ashore
t'CaPtain,'' - said the fat man. give
hunt him up some clothes. I'm going
| to give him a show, sir-by gum, sir!
| was kicked and cuffed and stepped on
myself w en- L was boy, and can feel
for this chap, sir-by gum, sir, yes, sir,
and I'll probably take him home with
me. Come, Tim-by gum-but there's
nothing desperate about you, and we'll
have talk and see how we can better
your fortunes. Yes, sir-by gum, sir :"
And as the boat moved away every
body gave three cheers for ''By Gum!"
and Tim.