The evening world., 1894-09-29
JAILED As A VAGRANT.
Young Snort Sought Work and
Found a Cell Instead.
Unless He Can Get Employment a
Long Term Awaits Him.
-Ycar-Old BOY Victim
of Hard Luck.


known 20 his keeper. an orphan, seven
teen years old, whose greatest crime is
his inability to procure employment has
been forchly incarcerated in the boys
ward OF the Tombs prison. for more
| than ten days, his daily associates young
and hardened thieves and other law
breakers.
The serious aspect of his case ia that
he has not been able to communicate
with the Commissioner of Charities who
sent him TO the prison. and explain his
position, for the boy Is one of the un-
fortunate ones of the world, whose
wants don't usually count with the keep
ers at the Tombs prison
II Henry Short doesn't find some one
who wants n boy TO work for him be-
fore next Tuesday three-months' pc
riod on Blackwell's Island awaits the
boy. The very thought of being sent
there ms nearly driven him crazy.
II the story told by the boy Is true
and no one has been found who says
anything but good Of him-he IL held in
duress on a charge OF vagrancy, and Is
deserving OF much sympathy. At The
same time, some explanation on the
part of officials as to how he landed in
| prison, in the company of criminals,
should he forthcoming
| In word. this boy asked for work,
| and became the victim of heartless
Joke, which was probably Inadvertently
perpetrated by number Of officials.
Ever since the day he realized his pc
culiar position. the poor boy has been
whispering his story in the ear of every
man or woman visitor who CHANGED to
visit the ward. when the opportunity
| offered.
| A, l,s, li, y.ora, ,ao,h,l ,ha cas-, ~
a woman whose name he doesn't know,
and touched by his story. she wrote a
letter 70, The Evening World"
for "f to " avoid the disgrace ace Of 1 having i
known that he had spent days In
prison, he gave the name of Friedman.
This is what the kind-hearted woman
wrote:
NEW YORK. Sept. 20
Knowing that THE Evening World is always
| ready to stand up for the weak and oppressed,
behave will come under that heading,
| A boy is now confined In the Tombs Prison and
will be sent to the island for three months unies.
some steps forward before next Tuesday and
promises to give him employment
| This boy has committed no crime, but through
some mistake he has been sent to the Tombs.
lie greatly breads being sent to the island, and
as cannot help him ! thought would write
to The Evening World" trusting that this
| letter will he published and that Gome lover OF
| humanity will come to his rescue.
OF the keeper Of the boys prison more partou,
| lars Of the case be learned.
lsgnedI ..
UNABLE TO RENDER ASSISTANCE.
A reporter for The Evening World
visited the Tombs Prison yesterday af-
ternoon. and Warden Fallon at once
granted an interview with the boy. The
| keeper summoned him from an upper
tier cell.
Short, or Friedman, as the keeper
called him, has round. honest-appear
ing face, sparkling blue eyes and a fairly
Intelligent appearance. His complexion
is sandy. and his fiaxen hair yesterday
was covered by Well-Worn derby hat
| The clothing he wore was plain but
neat.
Short did not care to talk about him
Il don't want to speak or myself
here said he, In whisper to the
| reporter.
Doesn't the keeper treat you well?''
was asked.
why should he notY I'm doing the
| same hard work that the criminals do
here. That isn't the trouble. ! don't
| want them to hear my name. It's not
Friedman. my name is short. My
father was Leo Short. and he was a
mail carrier before his death.
my mother is dead too. They both
died seven years ago and then / went
West all alone to make Lying
finally landed In Dansville, ILL.,, and
went to work for farmer named Dan
| lei VOORHEES,, but after staying with him
a long time. had at last to leave be-
cause he was 50 cruel.
II started for the East and by steal
ing rides on freight trains and doing odd
jobs. / finally landed In New York last
July. Then l began to hunt for work