Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-27

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4 0st NljtIlE attracted quite crowd
1GDASXU!IfW on recent afternoon.
aMA%HN,pH The unusual spectacle
RER k6,ti1yta recalled the days of
NE Ix9t;lskltl child slavery in New
#. ISHfsssissil, York, not long gone by,
when the infamous
-S0%~- ''padroni' employed
|&S~S> wre.chcd children to
scrape violins and caper on the streets They
purchased these unfortunates in Italy from
poor people with large families, who we're glad
to sell their offspring for few dollars, the
speculative buyers undertaking to clothe and
feed the unhappy youngsters and to teach
them to sing and play musical instruments.
Seductive tales of easily acquired wealth in
America lent persuasive influence. Although
such lnvelglemcnt was against the Italian law
1t was practlced to a great extent with i'm
punity.
WHAT BECAME OF THE CHILDREN.
The children thus secured were shipped from
Naples to Marseilles. From the latter city they
were compelled to walk all the way through
france, singing. playing and dancing. being
finally shipped from some seapor: TO the United
States. They were brought to a rendezvous i'll
some New York slum. where they were lodged
In squaid quarters, being sent into the streets
by day, while al night they performed in the
lowest dens and concert saloons. All of their
earnings they were forced to hand over to the
padrone. of whom they stood in great awe.
being beaten and starved if they did not fetch
enough to satisfy him. Understanding 10
English, they were unable to appeal against the
taskmaster even if they had dared, and they
were thus entirely helpless. No portion of
their gains ever reached their parents. but
every cent was squandered b. the patlrone in
dissipation or boarded for his private enrich
ment. he results were inevitable. The girls
were lost to virtue at early age; the boys
learned to steal and both were soon worn out
by the life of exposure and by want of good
food, ending in the hospitals and in the potters
field
wIPING OUT THE BUSINESS.
The celebrated prosecution of the padrone
Ancarola, which resulted in the .yiping out of
this abominable business in New York, has not
vet passed out of the public recollection In
september, 1879. the Society for the Prevention
OF Cruelty to Children received information
from the Italian government that a notorious
dealer in child slaves had secured seven boys by
ingenious evasions of the law and had started
with them for America A close watch was kept
for many weeks at all Atlantic ports and Anca-
rola and his charges we're pouuced upon on
their arrival here by the steamer Elysia from
1uentiy captured in an obscure wine shop. He
had been too cautious TO call at the custom
house for his yiolins and harms
TEN YEARS IN THE pryIrrxr1.Rv
Thereupon ensued 4 struggle in the courts.
Ancarola employed the best legal talent obtain
able and made a desperate defense, the society
putting forth its utmost efforts to obtain q con-
viction, because it realized that failure in
the case would signify the indefinite perpetua-
ton Of child slavery In New York. Some diff
Guilty WAS found in persuadiup the bows to
testify. owing to their dread of the padrone.
They had nil heen taupb. IN toll tho ca M. stor,,
that he was their uncle and that he was taking
,hem 20 reati'e In oanada, ana all sorts OF
80, -" II. -; . ~ peieu'ue
However, he;ng 6nai,v nersuaSea that thor
would be protected. they told everything. and
the accused found himself entangled in a net
work of evidence from which there was no es-
cape. He WAS sentenced to q term of years in
the penitentiary and with this catastrophe the
industry of the padroni was brought to an end
forever in the metropolis. Incidentally the
testimony at the trial showed that the victims
were subjected to Undesirable tortures. the
girls being deliberately corrupted The little
Italian dancer of the other day on Broadway
WAS quickly rescued and taken care of BY the
authorities.
FLOWER GIRLS TEN YEARS AGO.
IGN years ago oroao"ay, from zoo 10 $50
street, was haun TED al all hours OF the night as
well as by day, by flower girls, who offered
their wares for sale on the street and in the
saloons Their o,tens;hIe occnnotior was
merely a cloak. One never sees them anv more.
becanse tbe law has nnt n ston In the hns;n.ss
New York il no longer the naradise II formerIv
was for old impostcrs and youno bepgors
child cannot now beg enough in one daS 20 SIM
port a family for week. AS in former wears.
Children sent out into the highways of this city
to collect revenue are Immediately gathered in
and their parents are promptly arrested and
fined.
r.o,, MOI, no ,oor
$50, ~ ~
on" 'e,! in'ieneh' AFTERNOON LII last Maren
ne ." =! AL o"i'oi Vi
w.. -" - ~ on -Is. -.sn '' "o'on'pan
evil ha.n.t mb;a ,bo ,vora n ga or
She made calls at basement doors the Woman
standing out of view. Her frail BODY and
pinched features made her an obiec. of pity.
MANY a bright nickel was dropped into her out
stretched palm and many a good cold slice was
placed in her basket by the charitably disposed.
The money was safely transferred to the
woman's purse and the food was slowed away
in her more capacious basket. The wind blew
through the child 4 tatters and made her SILVER
Come with me, -" said the officer. GOING nm 10
the little girl, "and will give YOU some warm
ciothes