The evening world., 1889-02-01
A YOUTHFUL WANDERER.
An Eight Year-Old Hoy VITO Has Travelled
Alone All Over the Country.

Washington Ind Letter to ne Indianapolis Joarhdil
This city can boast of tho youngest traveller
in the country, and one who has seen more of
these United States than the average man
may ever hope to see. This youth, who, one
would suppose. did not exceed eight years in
age. and who is quite mall for that age, was
born i'll this city. His name is frankie
Hyatt. and he comes of the best family in the
city. Two years ago the boy developed n
penchant for travelling. At fist his trips
we're short ones. lie first ran away to TOMS
Hill, five miles away, was captures and
brought home, and promised to remain. In
n few days lie again Disappeared, and was
found at Plainyllle. twelve miles AWAY, and
returned. A dozen other runaway trips fol-
lowed. and he included Loogootee, Nincen-
mes, Worthington aud Terre Haute IN his
travels. All these trips, 1t seems, were made
preparatory to his more extended travels.
But once again thisl little gypsy departed. no
one know whittier, and ". eks went by before
he was heard from. He had made n more eX-
tended excursion this time, and landed in 81.
LOUIS, where he viewed tho sights several
days. subsisting as he might. Tir.ng in n few
days Of the scenes in n big city, he returned
home, but the restless spirit of the boy
would not let him remain. He seemed to
be seized with q mania for travel. In spite
Of his comfortable home and the petitions
of the father he would not stay, and II was
OF length decided 10 let the infatuated lad
travel until he wenried of his cuimera. In n
few days he departed %siealthily, and no news
was heard Of the little wanderer for several
weeks. A letter from Kansas City boro the
information that be was there, and once more
the strange rambler was brought home by u
friend. But he would not stay. Within two
weeks he was gone. and when next heard of
was ut Salina, Kan, with II relative. The
relative was instructed 10 ship the boy back
TO Washington, and the urchin was made ac-
quainted with the fact. But he didn't wait to
get q ticket, He gave his Salina relatives tho
slip. and mysteriously disappeared. He
boarded a Union Pacific train and
headed for Denver. From Denver he
made his Way to Los Angeles. Cal. and
not finding the one he sought in
that city he started on the 400
Here he found another relative, who WINS
about to return TO Indiana. and when the
proper time came the boy was again home
ward bound. lie had arrived at the " jump
ing-off place" and could go no further unless
he took to the water. For u short time the
boy seemed contented with his travels, and
it appeared as though q permanent cure had
been effected. but III hat his eople were
mistaken. Again he left and went to Cincin-
natl. Then lie set out for New Orleans, but
he only got rs lar as an interior Kentucky
town when he was taken in charge by n
kind hearted lady, who d'ssuaded him from
his projected journey. and after keeping him
a month or more succeeded III getting him to
return home. The 10y is now in the city.
with a fair prospect of remaining. The most
singular part of thisc hild's story is that lie
made all these trips without one cent of
money; rode in n passenger coach each trip,
and says that the passengers and train men
always fed him while travelling.