The sun., 1893-07-09


tho conclusion that this eleven-year-old boy
is about as depraved and as cold.blooded
criminal as ever began o career at that pre-
cocious age.
Tho young prisoners name Is Louis Wood.
He is at present In the Freehold jail. where he
Is petted by the keepers and made much Of by
all the women who come to the prison. It
needs but ono glance at the boy to place him
in the class to which he belongs. He is ono Of
those precocious. sharp-eyed street Arabs
that are to be found only in the neighborhood
OF New York. From his appearance one would
not Judge him to be more than 8 years old.
His mother says that he Is between IL and II
years old. He is an ignorant child. but sharp
as knife. and remarkably quick to seize an
idea that is presented to him.
Until within month ago he had always
lived at homo. His mother widow without
any income save such as her own hands pro-
vide. moved from New York about two years
ago to dingy frame house at 1877 North
Fourth street in Wiliamsburgh. She 10 q
thoroughly respectable woman. very fond Of
her son. but not strong enough to keep him in
proper restraint. Like all OF his class. Louis
had deep-rooted aversion to tending school.
preferring to spend tho day In roaming the
streets. His mother sent him to school. but
after many weeks OF struggle. which ended
daily in tho boy having his own way. she
ceased TO bother about him.
Louis went through q primary school. failed
In his last examination. and never went to
school again. For several weeks he left the
house at the usual hour in the morning. CIV
ing his mother the impression that ho was 60
inG to school. but he rarely went further than
the nearest lot. where he invariably found sew
eral Of his comranions. When his mother
rappfyaI
trouncinE. and there 1t ended.
Finding that nothing would induce him to
60 to school Mrs. Wood finally made up her
mind that he should work and contribute
little TO tho household income. In tho early
spring Louis entered the service of the corner
grocer. Here. however, ho made the same
Progress that he had made In school, His en-
ploYer found that he was lazy and shiftless.
and after several reprimands discharged him.
About this time Louis fell in with crowd Of
boys who infested the open lots OF Williams
burgh at night. They were known through
out the neiGhborhood as the Fischer gang.
but although they broke windows and fought
with other gangs OF boys. and road dino
novels. thoy mover stole or committed crime OF
any kind. Louis. who was a few years younger
than most OF these boys felt very proud when
they admitted him into their circle. but the
only effect which their companionship had
upon him was to mike him laz!er than ever.
Much ms he worried hor, Mrs. Wood was very
fond Of her son. and had mothers sollcituds
Tor his health aud happiness. Fearing that he
would suffer by running around under the hot
sun. she asked him II he would like to work on
farm during the summer.
You Just bet l would" the boy replied.
Billy Fischer's goin' out on O ranch out
West"
Mrs. Wood was not quito so sure about the
ranch idea. but she thought she could ind
place for Louis somewhere in New Jersey. She
bestirred herself and found that one Of her
friends had relatives living near Freehold. She
uesought this woman to ind some occupation
Tor Louis In the country. and the woman
promised to write to her relatives. In few
GAYS there came favorable reply. a brief cor
Tespondeacc. ensued. and on June II Louis
Wood Wood went to the farm Of Louis wagener.
ire near the village 2t Fairfield about four miles
ct'y bouc ht his ticket Tor him, an d placed hitn
on g., Tie train. Dir. Wagner was at the Fair
+, NJ %asenrr.' Although not n wealthy man.
hss n ~ prodartlve iarm as nny man within
iortaIs life. He took long % iooE AZ ei lis NEW NEW
iarm hand. and was not overpleasod with what
hs.,w. ne saw. on Jersey farms they are always sus-
pcious OF little boys whose eyes betray u very
pTccocious amount OF sharpness and worldly
tos tEisa%m 10 They hHys not yet become aceus
Mr WAGNER, however. said nothing he
tooE louis TO the farm. which 10 abouthalf a
Rl.o from the railroad. ana handed him over to
AIRS Wagner. Mira Wagner was just then
occupied IN sewing button on the coat OF a
htls boy who was sitting on her lap.
Here. wife. said MIR. Wagner. this is the
What is your name. littls boy2" Mrs Wag-
ehef asked In II pleasant voice.
LOUIS did not answer for o moment. Hisg gaze
was fastened upon the little boy. who In return
was staring at him with much curiosity
rag, somewhat RruGiy.
Without appearing at all abashed Louis told
the tthe name. Mrs. Wagner set tho little boy on
'''e loor and said to Louis:
r some MP stairs with me and III! give you
NUT Nv working clothes. The clothes you have
w are 100 good to work In"
luis followed her Gp the stairs. As In o
49, ssiirnt many country houses. these staiys led
thn,sssctly into the room above without the in
toorMeIh'l9n OF door The room In which Louis
NJ himself was very srantily furnished.
nv ns iioor was bare, and the furniture consisted
nh'I"S OF wide bed u washstand, and three
,,TTrr,' Along the tulustrade. overlooking the
o. Tr .l," OF these sacks there peered tho stock
ARM ~, .Enn. Ate. the frst curious glance
MINI the room. louis touched this sack with
ptnm,, 10 get a, etteE view OF the gun.
udmhrITr said Mrs Wagner, you mustn't
ever. ever Ii" .r gun IT'S loaded. don't want you