The evening times., 1899-03-27
STRANGE STORY Of
A WANDERING boy
Pugnacious Disposition Brings
Him to Police Court.
His Repeated Efforts to Get Int
the Navy.
Dimin nutive Size Bars Him From En-
Dimi utive Size Bars Him From En-.
Iistment-Lectured by
Judge kimbalI.

A boy whose rowing disposition has car
ried him over the greater part of the world
was today arraigned in the Police Court
charged with disorderly conduct. He gave
his name as James Fiske, and related
story of his adventures to the judge.
He stated that he was born in Scotland
sixteen years ago. His mother was
French woman and his father a native of
Germany. Early in life the boy left home
on a tramp steamer and was discharged at
some point in Spain. He then shipped for
service in the Mediterranean, and eventual
ly landed on the coast of Africa. Here he
was impressed into service by a native
prince and only escaped after making his
way with great difficulty to the coast
where he was picked up by a tramp steam
er bound for South America
After roaming from country to country
for several months the boy was finally
landed in New York. From that city he
went to Norfolk, Va, where he attempted
to enlist in the navy. Not being able to
enlist in Norfolk. on account OF his age
and size, he was advised 10 come TO Wash
ington and see the Secretary of the Navy.
While at Norfolk the sailors and ma
rines stationed at the navy yard became
very much interested in the lad and dress
ed him up in sailor clothes. Transportation
was secured for the. would-be sailor on the
steamer Newport News for this city. He
arrived in Washington some days ago and
Immediately applied to the Secretary OF the
Navy for enlistment.
After examination the boy was found to
be too small for service in the navy. and
then applied for enlistment as an appren-
tice boy. Again he was rejected, and since
that time has been stopping in the city
with friends who have become interested
in his case. An effort will be made to
have the boy enter some branch of the
navy If it can possibly be brought about.
The cause of the boy being in the Police
Court today was fighting. 1t appears that
the boy, in addition TO having acquired sew
eral influential friends, has become the
hero of gang of urchins who listen in
amazement to his stories of travel and ad-
venture. On Saturday, in company with
several of his friends. he walked up to
boy who was standing by his bicycle in
front of the City Postoffice and asked to
be allowed to ride the wheel. The boy re-
fused, and after some words, according to
Fiskes story, greatly aggravated him.
Your honor said the boy, in the Police
Court today. he pushed his face up into
mine and then I smashed him
Officer Brown. who made the arrest,
said that the boys were extremely disor-
derly and that Fiske was the aggressor as
he wished to show off before his youthful
admirers. After the boy was arrested he
was released on collateral which was fur
nished by clerk in the money order de-
partment of the city postoffice. The boy
said to the judge that he was determined
to enlist and would attempt to join the Ma
rine Corps as a bugler.
After giving him a sound lecture as to
his conduct Judge Kimball took his per-
sonal bond not to repeat the offence. The
youthful sailor left the courtroom followed
by crowd of small boys who were loud in
their congratulations in the outcome Of
the case.