The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1897-10-07

common habit of his TO attend the po-
lice and law courts when anything of
interest took place. His profession was
the study of mankind, and he knew OF
no better arena for the pursuit OF IL.
So he turned short round and entered
the court 1t was very crowded in an
ticipation of the coming case. and for
some minutes he could hardly get
Standing room, and of what was going
on in front of him he had no idea, OK
cept from the remarks of the people,
who were not complimentary TO the
cause Of justice.
Shame exclaimed one man, sturd
lily
IF she did do it, what harm?" said
another.
She's mere child TO look at" re-
marked third.
Silence in the COURT was shrieked
out by the clerk in office
What is il all about?" demanded
Ruthyen. pushing his way to the front
rank.
There in the dock was pitiable
sight. Held up between two policemen,
because she trembled so she could not
stand. was young girl, whose age was
put down in the charge-sheet as thir-
teen, but who. by reason of her atten-
uated appearance, did not look more
than ten or eleven. Her small, white,
pinched face. from which two immense
blue eyes stared tearfully at the mag
istrate. was filled with terror: her rough
and tangled hair, which should have
been haAoa, bat was so begrimed with
dirt as TO appear what artists would
term neutral tint, hung down upon
her half naked bony shoulders; and her
ragged cotton gown was scarcely suf-
ticient for decency. She looked like a
half-staryed, hunted fawn. with those
wild. pitiful, entreating eyes. and her
whole appearance filled Ruthven's
breast with so much compassion that
he listened with interest to hear what
charge was brought against her. He
concluded it would be theft, and so it
was-of what other crime could such a
child be guilty? But the evidence given
against her by one Of the policemen
was certainly of an aggravated oAA-~
Cctcr.
please your worship" he COM
menced after having been sworn. Il
was on my beat last evening along Lit
tie PeccadiIlo Street"
sSnpak o,t ~ cold tho -, 1o-
tily. The policeman grew red, cleared
his throat. and recommended
II was on my beat in Little Peccadil-
10 Street"
you've said that before interrupt
ed the magistrate.
When | see this young gal, your
worship, stopping by some palings out
side house; and when / came up with
her she had got 'er 'ands full of onions,
which she had stole inside the palings,
and"
Only three" articulated the pale lips
OF the child in the dock
What does she say" interrupted the
magistrate.
"She said it was only three onions as
she'd got, your worship"
Only three! Three Is as bad as
thirty. What more, constable?"
Nothing in particular. your worship.
She was thieving the onions-not the
first time by many, l know-and / took
her in the hact."
What's the prisoner got to say for
herself?"
What ave you got to say for your
self? You can speak to his worship, il
you will, repeated one of the consta-
bles to the criminal.
Please, sir. was so hungry
Hungry! nonsense. Hunger is no
excuse for crime. Where does this girl
live, constable? What's her name?
Has she got no parents?"
Her name is Peg O'Reilly, your wor-
ship. and she's got no parents as she
knows of; and she amt got any friends.
nor any home in particular. neither:
she gets her living sbout the streets"
The magistrate frowned visibly.
Ruthven was watchi liz every phase of
the farce through his double eyeglasses.
"Ha, very bad! vTy bad indeed,
Does she attend the School Board?"
mo, your worship"
Been vaccinated?"
Ave you been waccinated" de-
manded the policeman in charge.
"Whacked," said the prisoner. mis-
taking the word; "oh, yes, sir. often"
The mournful tones went through
Ruthven's toughened heart.