The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-05
Little Paddy's Pants.

The Brooklyn Eagle has pathetic
story Of the frantic rebellion Of a lit
tie boy against wearing girls clothes
that will appeal to all who read it.
Patrick ]. Quigley, s years old, has
gradually become known as rounder
in the magistrate S courts and all be-
cause of strong desire that he has to
wear 'pants." There has been a
lot of incident in little Patrick's life.
His father started it by committing
suicide without any apparent reason
about a year ago. That threw his
mother on her resources. There we're
three children, two little girls and
Paddy. Mrs. Quigley got job in the
Convent of Mercy, aud her two daugh-
ters went there with her, and are there
yet. It nearly broke the mother s
heart to part with Paddy, but there
was no room for him in the convent,
of course, and other arrangements had
to be made for him.
He was duly committed to St.
NIalachy's Home, after lot Of wise
legal papers had been filled out, and
for day or two he seemed to get
along all right. But his clothes we're
taken from him. Paddy is not able
to tell why he lost his trousers, nor
does he exactly know why the sisters
at St. Malachy's put himin petticoats
and girls dresses, but the degradation
was intense, and Paddy decided, after
he had worn the skirts for day, that
he would escape from the hated gar
ments. He had nothing else to wear,
but all the same he fed in his petit
coats from the place.
He had nowhere to go and he was
picked up by policeman, who took
him for freckle-faced, stubby-nosed,
sharp-eyed little girl, and who led him
away to nearby station. He was
sent to the Office Of the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
He was there just long enough to have
his pedigree taken when the sex of the
w.;f mos d;soovered
"What is your name, little girl?
he was asked.
''I'm no little GIRL was the indig-
nant rejoinder. "I'm Paddy Quig-
ley"
Then came the story Of Paddy;s $
woes and he was promptly installed in
"pants,' for he demanded s'pants, >
and would not be satisfied with any
thing but pants. When he was
properly garbed he was ready to eat,
and he ate with vengeance. In due
course Of time he was arraigned in
court and he was sent back to St.
Malachy's home. There, shocking to
relate, he was again installed in girl s
clothes. This time it was a punish
ment for runp;ng away.
Paddy made up his mind that he
would not desert his masculine inde-
pendence. He ran away again as soon
as he got chance and again he fell
into the hands of the police. TIE
usual steps were taken, and a second
time he reached the shelter Of the
children's society. There we're more
Spants" waiting for him and for day
or two he was supremely happy. But
the course of justice is relentless.
A second time he was committed to
St. Malachy's home, and he found the
hated clothes waiting for him there.
He was not only kept in petticoats
but under such strict surveillance
that he did nothing but NOPE for
awhile. A chance came, and away he
wentagain. Same old story. Arrested,
sent to Mr.. Wilkin, of the society,
put back in pants, taken to court, re-
committed. Same sequel petticoats
and dresses, retirement and surveil-
lance and again escape. That was on
Saturday.
Last Monday morning Paddy, still
hopeful, was back in court. Magis-
trate Brenner, who is a. Sunday school
superintendent and sympathizes with
boys, heard his story.
"Whatis the matter, PadGy?' asked
the magistrate.
"Want pants; don't want to wear
girls clothes if can help it. That's
all. Won wear girls clothes"
you'll have pants, Paddy" said
the magistrate. "We'll see about
that. Don't be afraid. Well send
you this time to place where they