The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-01
MODERN OLIVER TWIST.
sAVED FROM LIRE or WRLTCHED-
NESS AND sQUhLOR.
Knocked Around fran Pillar to Post, Little
Arthur White Finally Lands In the
Gentle Hands OF Mrs. GIL.

Yesterday little Arthur White was
dirty. homeless ragged. unkempt, wretch
ed hoy. To-day he is a clean, happy,
bright. handsome little fellow, for he Is In
one Of the best institutions in the country
Mrs. Gills Male Orphan Asylum.
lie dropped into this city some time
before last Christmas, coming from the
almshouse at Winston. y. c., In charge
of a man whom he called Kelly. This
man gave him into the keeping OF young
blind couple named Frazier. These lat
ter are extremely poor and dependent,
and exc out an existence OF semi-starva-
ton In a manner that Is hard TO Inder-
stand.
The man, j. T. Frazier. claims TO be
graduate of the Blind Asylum at Staun-
ton. and exhibits a gold medal in veriii-
cation of his statement. He makes mat
tresses whenever he can get a job. but
jobs don't come his way often and the
neighbors are called upon TO contribute
food and fuel
As for clothing and water, they seem
10 be unknown quantities In the ram
shackel. one-story, two-roomed. filthy
a.-ode. No. 52i Church street, where the
md couple dwell.
Little Arthur, with his dirty, but bright
face and innocent expression, was placed
I'm the midst Of this squalor and ex-
pected to earn his living by begging and
by whatever other means came up he
fore him.
FROM BAD TO WORSE.
Sometimes Arthur. i'm his eight-year-old
innocence. would pilfer little things when
those he asked for food shut the door In
his face
The life before him seemed vague and
everything appeared uncertain. He roam
ed about from door TO door in an aimless
manner. and grew Indifferent as to re-
suits. He was taught in his infancy TO
lie. and he learned to become rogue
He had no Fagin to deal with, but cir
cumstances threw Themselves around
him.
lie slept on chairs with no covering.
save TIE thin Jacket and shirt-waist that
he wore when he became the property OF
j. 7. Frazier and his wife. Nothing
shielded him from the cold blasts of last
winter. Snow sleet. and rain were one
TO him. and he grew hardened.
His figure was a familiar one in the
nelghborhood, and as his features became
blacker with CRIME. and his clothes worse
for the wear and dirtier for the want or
water. the people began 10 notice him
closer. and Tuesday complaint was made
This is a new feature for the Society
TO handle, but with the usual kindness OF
heart Of these gentlemen, they inves-
tlgated the matter. and the above facts
were brought to Hight. In addition to
that. II was also learned that the couple
slept on boards. with scant covering, hav-
Inc no bed.
Sergeant Thomas, OF the Police Court,
and Agent Taylor. of the s. p. c. A,
visited the house OF Frazier and secured
the BOY
BEFORE THE JUSTICE.
He was before Justice Crutchileid yes
vagrant suspicious character, and with
having no visible means OF support.
do you want a nice home 10 go tor
asked his Honor
Yes. sir"
where you can have clean clothes.
plenty TO eat, nice, warm bed to sleep
in. and where you can 80 to church,
Yes. SIR"
"Can you tell the truth?'
Eyes. sir"
do you tell II always?"
NO. sir not all the time"
do you steal?'
Eyes, sir, sometimes"
well, now. don't you do It any more.
You be a good boy after this. I'm going
TO send you to a nice place, where you
can learn to read and write"
Yes. sir" said the boy.
Then a consultation was held between
the Justice, DR.. Jud B. Wood, OF the s.
p. c. A., and Agent Taylor and it was
determined to turn the boy over to Su-
perintendent Davis. VINO in turn would
deliver the boy into the hands Of Mrs.
| Gill. and everybody knows what TO eX-
pect from tfat. She will care for him Ike
| good mother.
The boy could remember nothing about
! his parents. and has no recollection OF
anything. save that he lived in a poor
house, and was given to one man. who
gave him to another who turned him
| over TO Frazier.
This case emphasizes the need OF
society for the prevention OF cruelty 10
children" SAID a spectator in the court.
"and / believe that when the good la
dies OF the City Mission have their at
tention called 10 the matter, It will not
be long before such society will be
one OF the city's most popular insttu-
| tons"
The boy was carried out to the Male
Orphan Asylum whore he will receive
| the tender care OF Mrs. Gill.