Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-05-25
A LITTLE BREAD THIEF.

A LITTLE BREAD THIEF.
Down near the Normal school, in the Canon
gate, bakers man had propped his board Of
new bread on two barrels, while he took some
loaves into shop close by, when, before his
back was well turned, small ragamuffir
darted forward, seized half loaf, and raI
off at full speed. From the fact that the boy
ran up the street instead of down, it was evil
dent that he had lost his head in gaining the
loaf, for every one knows that it is much
easier to put in a desperate speed going down
hill than up. Then he was SO miserably small
two of his maddest strides were scarcely
equal to one of the enraged baker, and, be-
sides, the thief was hampered by tearing the
heart out of the loaf and devouring as he
ran.
One cannot beat all previous records and
eat at the same time. The terrible thud of
the bakers feet close behind him, and the
cries of the crowd closing in on him, at last
warned him to special effort, and he turned
down New street, which is steep enough
A clear headed thief would have darted
into the first narrow close, but this one lacked
experience. He got up terrific speed, and
even stopped the wolfish tearing at the bread,
but an apprehensive look backward did the
mischief and arrested him more effectually
than twenty detectives armed to the teeth.
His foot caught on a stone, and down he
went smash on his forehead, the loaf rolling
from his grasp, and he himself lying stunned
and bleeding till he was dragged to his feet
by the baker, who, by the way of a counter
irritant, speedily kicked him into conscious
ness At that stage the crowd was augmented
by a policeman and myself, who had wit
messed the rush from above New street, and
got down as quickly as possible, expecting
much larger game.
Caught him in the act," cried the baker,
triumphantly, handing over the prisoner to
me and the torn loaf to the policeman. Saw
him snatch it up and bolt, but was too quick
for the young devil"
'sDid you do that?" asked quietly, indi-
eating the cash on the brow of the daring
criminal.
''No, he went down on the causey-served
him right"
1 looked the boy all over He had very
little clothing on him, and less flesh. He
might have been or s, but it is hard to tell
correctly the age of a skeleton. The CHASTITY
little face was turned up to mine with the
eyes dilated with terror so great as to COM
pletely stop the flow of tears It was not the
face of an ordinary young thief; crime had
put no stamp there, though suffering and
want had been busy.
''Did any one tell you to steal the loafg" /
asked, plying the baby face and terrorized
eyes.
sNo."
"Did you mean to give it to any oneF'
eNo.n
sit was for yourselfq'
eyes"
No handcuff would have been Of any use
on so small a wrist, even if Ihad been inclined
to use one, so 1 took his hand in my own and
led the way up the street. The policeman
carried the torn loaf, and the big baker kept
close at hand to prevent any desperate at
tempt of the great criminal to escape.
The crowd also was on the alert, so the
law was well supported. Only there were
some women on the outskirts of the crowd
who shouted aloud their pity for the ''puir
BARN." and ran with us, commenting loudly,
and evidently considering us monsters, which
we felt. There are times when even de-
"What's your name?" I asked, wishing to
shut out the sound of those women's voices.
''Freddy Ford"
"Have you a mother?'
He said "Ye-es" SO doubtingly that I re-
peated-
"Have you?' when he answered:
eyes, have another mother"
"And father?'
eyes, he's sailor"
SIS he at home!'
'No, he's away" ~---,
'And your mother-is she at homer
"No, she's out"
"Shes often out, I suppose?'
eyes"
"Any more of your
He said he had another sister, baby"
and that was nearly all he had to tell.
So we detained him-not locked up in the
deepest dungeon-but sitting before fire,
with bandage on his brow, and eating a
good, solid dinner, while went to see his
'Other mother"
He had freely admitted that he did not
1now what made him take the loaf; he had
never thought of such thing till the steam
If the new bread caught his heart, and made
him snatch and run. He was hungry, and
lid not have meals regularly. Sometimes
leighbors gave him piece, but often he had
nothing He thought he lad had something
5he day before, but he was sure he had not
that day till he ran off with the loaf. His
mother was often out, and so could not give
him anything.
The address he gave was Lochend's close,
1ear the foot Of the Canongate, and I had no
difficulty in finding the little den which he
called a home, but the mother was not there.
She was a stepmother-a great, big irish
sometimes went out to wash,
part of her husbands pay. When she was
not working she was drinking. They de-
,cribed the boy as gentle and quiet, and often
1ursing and tending the baby for days to-
yether, when the mother had no chance to
Jake it with her.
I failed to get hold of Mrs. Ford that day,
and next morning Freddy was placed at the
oar of the police court and charged with the
laring street robbery. The bailie on the
bench was startled when the small owner of
the name of Frederick Ford was brought in,
md had to rise from his seat to see him at ALL
''What is that BARN brought here for." he
said, impatiently, as the little corpse-like face
was turned up to him. The case was stated,
md then added what had learned.
'.Did you run away Wi the loaf, my mana"
said the bailie to the prisoner, after a little
thought,
eyes, but only ate wee bit when FELL"
said he-boy, quite captivated by the kindly
tone.
SHE'S been punished enough" was the
oailie;s decision; then turning to me he said:
stake the BARN to his mother and gle her
hearing ABBOTT it, and tell her that if it hap.
pens again we'll put her in jail"
As soon as the court was over went into
the side room in which Freddy was waiting
busy over slice of bread and butter, and
said to him:
SNOW you'll take me to your mother, for
want to speak to her."
With the greatest readiness he gave me his
hand, and we went down the Canongate thus
till we came to the burying ground, into
which, much to my surprise, he turned. The
grave diggers were busy at a new grave, but
Freddy led the way past them down to
weedy corner at the back of the burying
ground, where be pointed out spot on the
rugged turf, saying:
''She's in there"
SIN there What do you means' cried,
thinking that his small brain had been
turned. SIS she dead?'