The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-04-24

exieeneies of business. he had picked ND
enough literary knowledge to serve his
own limited needs and to spell out the
blood -and-thunder stories III the Boys
Own Weekly and the CHASTITY crimes por-
trsyed In terrible detail in Police Gazettes
and Cincinnati Enquirers.
1t is not to be supposed for q moment
that Patsy lamented bis lack of family
ties. He was not one of those large-eyed,
pathetic little waits who figure In good
childrcn's story-boOks, appealing by their
touching belplessness and winsame looks
for protection. On tho contrary, he en-
joyed his freedom. and wonld have
chafed under restraint. He was
seif-reliant and full of resources,
and never having had sheltering care
did not consciously suffer from it's lack.
There were emergencies. though. when he
would perhaps have been glad of O dad"
who would supply his wants. These were
apt to arise in cold winters, when the need
of warm garments became urgent. How he
managed to provide himself with clothing
on any occasion was a matter never made
quite clear, his small earnings. improvl-
dent habits and propensity to play craps"
leaving him no margin for investments
with the tailor. His friend, the saloon
keeper. occasionally gave hin a coat or q
pair of trousers cast off by his w rapidly
growing son. but this was an uncertain
TO suspect that Patsy did not rely upon gifts.
There was one winter. for instance, when
sundry garments mysteriously disappeared
from O certain public school cioak-room.
able in q long overcoat and a cap that
pulled over his ears. 1t was IN the mat
ter of shoes thai: he had the most
trouble. and 1t was shoes that final
~ ended his ~sojourn IN Indianapolis
Cold weather had come on suddenly; snow
had fallen and Patsy had no shoes. Some
thing must be done and that at once.
Watching his opportunity Patsy "~sneaked"
two shOes-they were not mates-from a
basket in front of a cheap store. For once
his luck or his usual dexterity deserted
him. Although he vanished In the crowd
the wary proprietor spotted" him and
presently, IN company with an officer. pur-
sued and found him with the shoes on and
already disguised with mud. Proof of
guilt was too plain; the shoe man was re-
lentless and nothing was left but for Patsy
to GO to the station-hOuse to await appear
ance before the Police Court next morning.
Next morning Patsy was not to be found.
There was a burst of indignation from the
prosecuting witness, q reprimand from the
court to every body whose carelessness had
aided in the escape of the prisoner, and
that was the end of il. Patsy was seen in
Indianapolis no more, and he took the shoes
with him.
All the incidents of this uneventful
chronicle hapDene ed several years ago. 1t
is a commonplace tale and hardly worth
the telling even with the sequel added.
For there IS q sequel. Boys like Patsy
sometimes grow up into reputable and
honorable citizens. In stOry-books this
miracle is frequently performed. In real
life the development is apt to be in direct
line with the youthful habits and environ
ment.
An ex-policeman of this place. wander
ing about in quarters of most interest to
him in New York city recently found his
criminal dock on trial for burglary and
arson. A house bad been robbed and set
on fire and suspicion pointed to Patsy, as
one of the guilty persons. He was con-
victed and sentenced to five years OF i'm
prisonment. some l~enience being shown on
account of the offenders youth. Before
the trial ended the eX-policeman visited
Patsy IN the Jail for old Acquaintance
sake.
HE looked tough. the young Teller did,
said the nan describing the visit after
ward. Hard face. Told me he had beat
his way TO New York time he left here and
had been there ever since. Had worked in
saloons and done odd jobs for q while and
lately had joined q society. Society of
house-breakers and sand ga Irfound
ont, but he said that wasn't the right idea.
We mean to have an even DIVIDE of
property says he. 'Taint right for one
Teller to have a million and another Teller
10 have nothing. like me- saws Patsy. In
our society we swear to see that this div ide
is made and will do IL if 1t takes blood.
There's only a beginning yet. but q lot of
No "a ~ d u Aho tho " "a q " AOOob
so high we can't get at lem. I'll be
out In five years and then He
looked mighty vicious then. lemme tell you.
ana if one o. Thorn mIllionaires had saw
that look he'd a felt sorry Patsy hadn't
been sentenced for life. One O. these
bloody Anarchists or Socialists he's turned
out, you see. Not that it's any wonder. a
Teller brought up as he was in the streets
and kicked aud cuffcd by every body from
the time he's q baby. They're all better
Off in Jail, that kind. and most of 'em get
there first or last: but the trouble is they
can't be kept there constant. and they're
cusseder when they get ont"
A commonplace story. You see. the whole
OF IL. Nothing poetic. or picturesque, or
attractive about il; nothing but an every
day account of an -uninterestipg human
waif-one of many. And what of il allf
Nothing. The churches point their spires
towards heaven. We pray comfortable
within for the souls of the perishing. Ii
the heather at our doors do not see fit to
enter in to the vestibule what of iti Soma
day they Will come aud tell rs, perhaps, In
q way we shall understand.