Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-14
ENTER TIE HERO

The fact has been fairly established to
the satisfaction of most criminaloglsts
that largo proportion of criminals the
world over have bad parents who were.
one or the other, or both, of advanced
age. Doubtless the Rev. Joseph Birch
oil, vicar Of fine English church IN o
pretty Lancashire village, was well aware
OF this significant fact (being then an ell
DERBY widower of first-rate scholarship
when he fell victim 10 the fascination
of woman scarcely older than hls
Youngest daughter. A weak and anna
BILE man, he had brought up family of
seven on q slender income; had got
most of his sons into holy orders, and
had married most of his girls to fellow
ciergyInen. AS they oil united IN disap-
proyal of their fathers second marriage
il was naturally great relief to HIM
when two children, a boy and girl,
were born, il whom he had hope OF re-
viving the domestic joys he had lost
with his first family.
Reginald, the boy, grew rapidly IN
mind and body. His precocity was pain
full. He was hayward, mendaclous,
cowardfy, and cruel. His instincts We're
low, He haunted the theatres, bought
portraits OF the ballet-girls, and, to in
dulge in his dramatic tastes, began to
steal from the other boys at school.
For this he was publicly logged and
cxpelled--a desperate and incorrigibie
boy.
Already his mothers heart was break
ing.
An outcast from home, the boys mind
turned to the stage. In some subordi
nate capacity he obtained employment
in country theatre. He sold tickets
hung around the box-ofiice, looked after
the display Of "posters," and developed
a small taste for drawing, which wa
fouud useful in the flaming placards o
whatever extravaganza the theatre nigh
be producing at the time. This seem
10 have been the most creditable part
his career. :,
But mean while his mother had bee
making peace for him at homo. Wit
great peouniery sacrifice he was sent
Oxford University, where he soon b(
came reckless and defiant OF authority
He ioined the fastest set that woul
receive him, he dressed with outrageoU
sxtravagance, he spent money asthoug
he wero a peers son. and he reveale
stiIl another side of his character.
At school they called him liar" {
college they called him "cad." Bi
chall, despite his parentage, was plainl
not a gentleman. lie knew nothiu
OF "good form" He copied men
breeding in their vices but was who'll
unsuccessful III catching their manner
To obtain recognition from the younl
or members of his college, his condu
became more and more deplorable. Ii
supper parties were orgies. His fem
nino compositions were the riff-raff
Oxford. His mae companions were Il
lowest kind of sports" In Just tv
months the authorities had had enoug
Of him. He was ignominiously expell,
from the university.
His parents received this second bic
with grief unspeakable. His moth
grew hollow-eyed and pale. His fathe
now very old, took TO his bed and so'
after died
But Reginald, nothing daunte
sought employment at Myalrs, a fans
ionahle photographer in London.
oxford he considered trade" unutter
bly, "low." But now be was bent
showing that he could excel In anythi,
ne undertook. He seems to have be,
fairiy popular with women. and viii
plying the camera he met the Girl wi
subsequently, became his wife.
She was the daughter OF a Mr. s,axe
son, one Of the freight managers ~ ii
London and Northwestern railroaa n
tastes were as theatrical es B;rcbsIl,
Her ambition was 10 play romantic her
ines, or, II that was impossible 20 no
In ph0tographers' windows as juI,ea
Pauline In Beginsld she saw the m
Who could help her. She believed
him absolutely, and against the ste
command OF her father married him a,
ret eaiI for America Somewhere a,
somehow in Canada Reginald propos
10 make fortune.
His mother mean while had died O,
broken heart and tho little money q
vss able to leave him fully reconcil,
him to her death.
II.
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IN Tia ia a IRA Grand I'tunk ra