Wichita eagle., 1888-07-29
A LITTLE BREAD THIEF.

back was well turned, small ragamuffin
darted forward, seized a half loaf, and ran
OF 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 1t 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. Tho terrible thud of
the bakers feet close behind him, and the
cries of the crowd closing in OF 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 frst narrow close, but this one lacked
experience. He got up a terrific speed, and
even stopped the wolfish tearing at the bread,
but an apprehensive look backward did the
mischief and arrested him more eTectually
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
10y the baker, who, by the way of a counter
irriUant, speedily kicked him into conscious
ness At that stage the crowd was augmented
by 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,
triump hantly, handing over the prisoner TO
me and the torn loaf to the policeman Saw
lin snatch it up and bolt, but was too quick
for the young devil"
ibid you do tbatr I asked quietly, indi-
eating the cash on the brow of the daring
criminal.
mo, he went down on the cau5ey-served
him right"
I 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 ghastIy
little face was turned up to mine with the
lyes dilated with terror SO great as to COM
pletely stop the flow of tears. 1t 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 loafl" 1
asked, plying the baby face and terrorized
yes.
"Non
"Did you mean to give it to any one?"
"No."
sit was for yourselfT"
'Yes"
No handcuff would have been Of any use
on so small a wrist, even If had been inclined
20 use one, so took his hand III my own and
he'd 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 OutSAi,ts 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 a de.
tective does not feel altogether hero.
Whats your nameF' | asked, wishing to
shut out the sound of those women's voices
Freddy Ford"
Have YOU motherr
He said ''Ye-es' SO doubtincly that re-
peated-
''Have YOUR when he answered:
ayes. have another mother"
"And father"
"Yes, he's sailor"
ais he at homer
"No, he's away"
"And your mo- hers she ct homer
"No, she's out
"She's often out, I supposem
YES
''Any more Of your
He said be had another sister, BABY
and that was nearly all he had to tell
Sc we detained hirl--not locked up in the
deepest dungeon-but sitting before a fire,
with a bandage on his brow, and eating a
good, solid dinner, while / Went to see his
'other mother"
lie had freely admitted that he did not
know what made him take the loaf; he had
never thought of such thing till the steam
Of the new bread caught his heart, and made
him snatch and run BE was hungry. and
did not have meals regularly. Sometimes
gave him piece, but often he had
He thought he had had something
the day before, but he was sure be 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,
near the foot Of the Canongate, and l had no
difficulty in finding the little den which lie
called home, bat the Elother was not there.
She was a stePmother-a great, big Irish
sometimes went out to wash,
though the neishbors believed that she got
part of her husbands pay. When she was
rot working she was drinking. They de-
scribed the boy as gentle and quiet, and often
nursing and tending the baby for days to-
yether, when the mother had no chance 10
take it with her.
l failed 10 get hold of Mrs Ford that day,
and next morning Freddy was placed at the
bar Of the police court and charged with the
daring street robbery. The bailie on the
bench was startled when the small owner OF
the name Ct Frederick Ford was brought in,
and had to rise from his seat TO see him at all.
'What Is that BARN brought here forsn he
aid, impatienJiy, as the little corpse-like face
was turned Up to him The case was stated.
M then l added what had learned.
Did you run away WI the loaf. my nlan!-
aid the bailie TO the prisoner, after a little
thought.
YES, but only ate VEG bit when fer,n
aid the boy, quite capt!vated by tho kindly !
one. {
Hes been punished enough" was the (
,ailie's decision; then turning % me he said:
Take the BARN to his mother and Sie her a
learing ABBOTT it, and tell her that il it hap
ems again wen put her in jan
As soon as the court was over ] went into c
ne side room in which Freddy was waiting. 6
,osy over slice Of bread and butter. and !
aid 10 him: )
Now you'll take me 10 your mother, for !;
want to speak TO her." :
With the greatest readiness he gave me his
land, and we went down the Csnongate thus
70 IN into