The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-09-21

Next week, in all probability, he should
hear his name linked with that of Sig
nora Scandalati, or some other proml-
nent female. Why could they not leave
him alone-he who troubled his head
so little about paying attention to any
of them? If his detractoTs could only
have looked into Ruthven's heart at
that moment they certainly would not
have put themselves out of the way to
invent destiny for him any longer.
AS Ruthven arrived at the police
court he perceived there was large
crowd at it's entrance-so unusually
large one, in fact, that it induced him
to ask the policeman in attendance the
reason of it.
Its one of them spiritual cases COM
ing on, sir; doctor to be tried for him
position, and the hevidence against
him given by a member of parliament.
Ruthven Immediately decided upon
going in to hear the trial. 1t was
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 it.
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, eX-
cnpt from the remarks of the people,
who were not complimentary to the
cause of justice.
"ShameI' exclaimed one man, sturd-
lily.
eff she did do it, what harm?" said
another
"She's a mere child to look at" re-
marked third.
Silence in the courtv was shrieked
out by the clerk in office.
what is it all about?" demanded
Ruthven, pushing his way to the front
rank.
There in the dock was a 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 f1axen, but 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-
ficient for decency. She looked like a
half-starved, hunted fawn, with those
wild, pitiful, entreating eyes, and her
whole appearance filled Ruthyen'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 cir
acter
please your worship" he COM
menced, after having been sworn, II
was on my beat last evening along Lit
tie Peccadillo Street"
Speak OUT said the magistrate, tes-
tily. The policeman grew red, cleared
his throat, and recommended.
81 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 lands full of onions,
which she had stole inside the palings,
and
"On1y 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
t"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, I know-and took
her in the hact."
whats the prisoner got to say for
herself?"
What ave you got to say for your
self? You can speak to his worship, if
you will" repeated one of the consta-
bles to the criminal.
please, sir, I was so hungryr'
Hungry! nonsense. Hunger is no
excuse for crime Where does this girl