The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-24
THE STORY OF A WAlF
CRIME RUNS MOT ~ RICHMOND.
n TINE Tai. OF what Major stiles EHeown-
tered y Few Days Ago-Ths Roy
Now I'm the Refornstory.


lasion of a dark and terrible life which
ssethes beneath and about us in our own
beautiful Christian city. Of which most OF
u. know and care far too little. As the on
cial head of the Prison Association OF VIZ
oinia and # its Reform School for Boys
Major Stiles for the past two years has been
brought into close and almost daily contact
With this life. We have the story from the
lips Of Major Stiles himself, and can there
fore. youch for rs truth.
A few days ago the Major was called 70
the phone by Police Justice Crutchheldi
when the following colloquy occur eu
T'nder the Guidance of his vigorous prach,
cal sense and his experimental knowlege 81
the needs Of the criminal ana negIecte,u
classes the Justice has been. from IHe Ou'-
act one OF the fast friends OF the heloflu"-
tory.
Justice Hello. Major. I've got another
candidate for you. T. A. po
Justice ''Yes and toll you he's pretty
one TOO. I cant wait for Williams l.ne
devoted secretary Of the irison AssocIstlonl,
I'm going 10 send him night out Oy one u
my own officers" -.
5lsjor. Tn glad you got pretty one az
Lost. Judge-you certainly haFon i ~
hesuty the test Of your SELECTION nefetoiofe.
Rnt Won forget we have the night 10 say
xhether OF not we will take those boys;
Wee made some mistakes already. ana
certainly want at least the chance 70 eGer-
else nv moor Judgment 8s 10 whether We
ought so take this boy.
Justice: Well. you'll have to come down
right quick then. Courts adJourneu anu
you'll find me IN my once.
The Major hurried down and found sew
ara persons IN tho Office OF the police court
Among others the Justice police ofhcer
and Young woman ia charge Oh IeHhy,
beautiful boy. some six or seven years oi
age clean and neatly dressed, and ~ every
way apparently well cared for.
Drawing the Justice aside out OF the once
Major stiles SAID:
turn this child over 10 me AK n criminal
No" said the Justice. Not exactly, but
he'll be one mighty quick unless you or
gone one will take him.
HIS HISTORY,
At thatmoment the young woman passed
them the boy following her ont across the
courtroom 20 get drink OF water
Major: That woman isn't the mother OF
that boy"
Justice; II know that better than you
d."
Major: "Who and where is bis mother or
father
Justice: God only knows who his
father IS His mother is lewd woman. one
of the lowest and meaDest in the world.
She hasn't seen him in six months. and
she'd kill him in less than six hours If be
was left with her b. take care OF. "
Major: who is the young woman that
hos been here: how did she come by him.
Justice: She's lewd woman, too. but
not quito such devilish one as the boys
mother. You sec / know all these people.
I'm obliged 10 know them. Oh. tell you /
have some sweet friends and acquaintances
But this girl and another one who had some
good qualities lett took this little fellow inst
for PHYS sake They've been good 10 him
IN their way. They made every rag of
clothes hos got on. But the girls have
some conscience lett as vol as heart and
they've been 10 me several times TO Say
they know no oughtn't to be with them.
leading the life they lead. Besides. you
know how il ia with these people They
are getting tired Of him. and If they amt
relieved of him, maybe they'll chuck him
away somewhere, too"
QUITE AQUATIC.
Major: Heavens, Judge, you know oil
this story TO be trueY"
Justice: "Of course do. Why, the girls
don't take much care Of the little fellow
now. How can they do it? He's been in
the river pretty much all day ever since It's
been getting warm, and he sleeps in the
street pretty much all night. The officers
pick him UP any time between daylight and
dark asleep on the sidewalk. Pve been
afraid he'd die OF bilious fever. and he
would have done it if he hadn't had the
constitution Of an OK (chuckling 10 him
self. But I've Kept him out of the river
the last day or two. You see he's regular
dude. They call me one. but he's q genuine
Simon pure specimen. There amt any,
thing he's so 'fraid OF as his good Clothes
SO told en- to sew them on him for a day
or so. I'LL could make up my mind what 10
do with him, and he amt been in the river
since
Major: We'll, Judge. of course I'll take
him. How could / refuse. He's bound 10
become pauper or a criminal whore he is,
aud ne looks as If he might we'll be Presi-
dent Of the United States if taken now and
properly trained"
TO THK RRFORMATORY.
SO the Justice committed the little waif as
aysgrant. The poor darkened foster mother,
whose heart and conscience were not yet
scared, bade him goodbye not without
human tenderness, promising to send his
other clothes up TO the Justice. and adding
that this nice gentleman pointing TO
MAJOR Stiles-has a nice place in the country
where there's trees and grass and plenty OF
boys 10 play with. and this pointing 10
the police officer will take you out. Sogood-
bye. Eddie and be good boy" The little fel-
low parted with her with some Tenderness.
but yearned for the country. the grass. the
trees, the playmRtes. aud is TO-DAY safe in
his new surroundings where the best ef-
forts Of wise and good people will be OK
pended in his training aud education. and
where 1T is hoped. the fervent prayers of
all who read this sketch from real life may
follow. rest upon and bless him.
The RefOrmatoTy is doing a noble work
Ii needs and 1t deserves our sympathies and
our aid. What it most imperatyely needs
just now Is a promise from say twenty or
twenty-five gentlemen of Sl0O each per
year a. some approximate 10 "a regular and
reliable basis of support
The above little story has already secured
eight of the two score Who else will fol
low Tho Major and bis workers will be
delighted 10 welcome you There is no
more unquestionably Christian aud truly
beneficial work being done in the world
than this.
Mozart Musicale.
The hundred aud-fourteenth musi.
Gale on Monday next will be very attractive.
The artists talking part are from Philadel-
phia. The quartette has been organ izoi