The San Francisco call., 1896-08-01

giving him even one brief fraction of an
instant in which to raise cry of unavail-
ing protest against the potent force which
struck him down.
For some time past Maurice Hultzmer, a
boy of 15 years, has been in the employ ei
a ladies' tailor named Speier, who has
offices in room n on the fourth floor of the
Donahue building. OF frail and sickly
constitution, he had not been working for
few days, but yesterday, feeling some
what better, he returned to his tasks. He
was a, buttonhole-maker, and ran a ma
chine in one corner of the shop. Near by
are two sewing-machines, all three being
run by electricity.
At lunchtime yesterday Maurice went to
his home at 1048 Howard street to take
his midday meal with his family. His
aged father keeps secondhand shop at
the number mentioned, the next house
being occupied by married sister, whose
husband keeps shoestore. There are
two smaller brothers, the elder of whom is
barely old enough to go to school.
During lunch Maurice seemed to be gay
and full of fun. His sisters husband and
he jested throughout the meal, ana when
the lad fastened back to work bright,
boyish smile was playing over his open
face.
When next the little home circle gazed
on that unwrinkled countenance it was
set and rigid in the pale coldness of death.
On returning TO the shop Maurice re-
sumed his work, chatting meanwhile with
two of the sewing girls-Flora Gursky of
229 Hayes street and Minna Monesck of
1865 Folsom street. About o'clock the
lad had occasion to use pair of steel
shears. As he laid them down on the
machine the points touched the exposed
coupling of the electric wire and the boy
sank back in his chair a corpse.
Not scream nor struggle accompa-
nieo the advent of the dread destroyer.
Silently and suddenly, like lamp blown
out by the wind, the young life came to
its end.
When the surviving employees realized
what had occurred the shop became
scene of widest confusion. The girls be-
came hysterical, and for time it seemed
impossible to restrain their shrieks. By
strange lack of thought the boy mother
was notified of the sad affair ana came to-
the place in state of frenzied grief. Her
walls OF anguished bereavement resounded
through the corridors for nearly an hour,
and when the Coroner's officers arrived to
remove the body her transports of bitter
agony were heartrending. She clung to
the slender form--so white and fair, save
for slight discoloration of the hand
Wnlch had held the shears-and refused to
let it go until firm but kindly hands
parted her from what remained of her
firstborn son.
Back to the once happy home, now
submerged in desolation, went the mother
with her tale of grief. The frightened
girls departed for the day, as did the
equally nervous proprietor, locking the
door behind him. Much blame would
seem to lie at the door of the person or
persons charged with the inspection and
care OF the electric-power apparatus. The
wire which led to the machines was un-
covered for nearly an inch at the coupling
near the buttonhole machine, HAVING
been for an indefinite period a standing
menace to the lives of all who ap-
it..
Meanwhile the youthful victim, forever
freed from every earthly danger, lies at
rest. one of the silent, everchanging
throng borne in and out of the Cityy
Morgue.