The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1897-10-22


pleaded to be allowed to depart IN
| peace because his mother would feel
badly 10 learn that he was in trouble
when the officer tauntingly replied:
You're nice boy to talk about your
mother"
Ihat stirred all the antagonIsm In
tile lads nature and he Immediately
answered back and prepared to admin
lister punishment to the man who, he
thought. had offered insult to Mrs.
O'Donnell
The argument proved effectual with
the captain. and Dennis was granted a
privilege not extended TO the other
boys They were sent TO cells for n
Few hours. where they might repent,
but he was asked IN to the captains Of
1ce to tell why he played craps" in
lie alley II he loved his mother.
And his explanation was that he
did 1t to get few more cents than he
could earn by selling papers because
they needed money to live.
But asked the captain, don't you
lose AS much as you makef"
lndade ! don't" answered the lad,
proudly. ''becuz | know how to cheat
de oder boys"
No. he did not believe this to be
wrong, and | am sure he was honest
In his opinion. The theory OF the edu-
cation received by boys OF the street
Is not based on the principle that # is
wrong TO sin. but that It is to he
caught They are brought up TO obey
the law through fear OF II, not because
they are benefited by it's observance.
so Dennis saw no harm in cheating
nj craps so long as the other boys
were not aware Of his methods: and |
am quite certain that II he did have
any moral doubts on this point, the
thought that his mother needed money
made a virtue Of II.
During the half hour in the captains
Office, Dennis gave us some lnforma-
ton about his mother and his life. Mrs.
O'Donnell and Dennis lived alone in
one room on the top floor of a tenement
house In Stone alley, which led from
Foot street court. that, in turn. branch
ing from Foot street. one Of the princi-
pal avenues in the district of the poor.
The captain mildly lectured the youth
and allowed him to depart. and 1t was
several days before could crafty the
curiosity | felt in regard to the pecu-
liar lad; but in the weeks following,
when | had gained "Dinny's' conf
dence. and become his friend. as well
as. ] hope, in some respects his bene-
factor, he told me much of his life.
Mrs. O'Donnell found 1t difficult -
get bread enough for "Dinny" and her
self. She was good woman, but hard
work. seasoned plentifully with sor-
row. had calloused her heart against
only for her boy.
AS for "Dinny," he recognized no per
son on earth worthy of consideration
except his mother. His companions on
the street were only for fun. rough or
tender. as they would stand 1t: the
priest was good to him. but was to be
stunned If possible; the police were his
natural enemies. and school teachers
he regarded as parts of the penance
the priest imposed at every opportu-
nifty.
Blame not the boy. His mothers
mind WAS so taken up with the strug-
gle for existence that her moral sense
was unquestionably blunted, and If. in
the hard life imposed on her, she could
even remember the love for her child.
II was an unlOoked-for virtue. She
found no time and little opportunity
for teaching the good in life, even IL
she thought there was any. His les
sons Of existence were learned from
the boys on the streets, yet down in the
heart of the lad there was good. and il
only needed opportunity to show itself.
He and his mother were creatures Of
circumstances; they We're neither bad
not malicious. He would do anything
his mother desired. and she felt that
she only lived for him.
Dennis sold newspapers for a living.
Between editions he BACKED shoes. On
rainy days he turned his hand to any
thing that came along; it mattered lit
tie what. II there were a few cents for
him; either craps" or holding horses
or running errands. With nothing to
do, he travelled with his gang" and