The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-27


/, Though he's thief-catcher, he wishes
| ye naething but guide"
'I'll promise IL. and keep IT," said the
| boy with quiet determination; and the
| mother took him I'm her arms, and there
| and then kissed him repeatedly.
| Then as his forlorn and homeless cond-
tion rose before her the tears returned.
| and she said
But what will ye dae. my BARN. what
will We dae? III not be sllooed even 10
speek TO ye."
'1ll gang away where I'm no kent--far
away" said Willie. with quivering lip.
And ye Wilma break yer promises'
'.1ll dee first.' he said: and began 10
see that there was more manly stun in
HIM than l had imagined.
During the whole interview he had not
once let fall word blaming Stark or i'm
plicating him in his fall7-perhaps it was
a boyish promise or mistaken idea OF
honor that sealed his lips-but that the
subject was not absent from his mind
Will appear before have done with his
case.
On getting his emphatic promise. the
mother brought out little bundle from
Under her shawl, containing his Sunday
jacket, an extra shirt. and a pair OF
stockings, all OF which she had managed
TO smuggle out OF the house without his
futhers knowledge. +a r
IN maybe never see you again, VIII
lie" she said. not attempting 10 stem the
flow OF tears. your father is sair
against ye and unless he changes we
may never meet mair but yen aye mind
that did a l could for ye."
Yes, mother, I'll aye mind that" was
the boys husky answer as he took the
little bundle
Then the poor woman brought out a
shabby little purse. and emptying its con-
teItl'-ony few shillings-into her hand,
she pressed them into his pocket. saying
"Evcry penny OF Is hard wrought for,
Willie. I've had mony sair stint to save
IL. WI your sick father to keep. and no
thnt muckle wark TO be had; so yen no
waste it?"
The boy promised TO obey, and in a
short time they parted.
What could there be but fearful and Bit
ter regrets at such parting? When the
poor mother asked him II he would ever
write to her. or come and see her, the
boys mouth became pursed In, and he
said--
mo while my fathers living"
The house was evidently divided, and
the boy keenly sensible that he alone was
the cause OF the division.
Willie had stated his intention OF going
to sea. He was a smart. wcll-built lad for
his age. and had no doubt but some mas
prentice, and not ask too particularly af-
ter his parents and antecedents.
And sanguine as were his hopes. they
might have been fulhlled TO the letter, but
for one circumstance. He wandered down
to Leith. and actually did find the master
OF sloop trading between Leith and St
Petersburg. who wanted smart lad.
and appeared pleased with his answers
and appearance-more especially with his
nd mi ha had nh rat ~
with his father and left home for evs--
But the man would not, or could not
give him definite answer till the next
day; and Willie was forced to be content.
and spent the rest of the day in wander
Ing through the harbor and along the
shore gazing at the rolling sea- and
boundess wastes. During one OF these
aimless strols, he was startled TO find
his evil acquaintance. Bob Stark. loiter-
ing In his wake. He at once put on a
squirt TO get away from him, but Bob was
not to be so easily shaken of. He easily
gained the boys side and renewed inn
portunities, promising him comfortable
home and nothing particular 10 do. IL he
you'd only be guided by him: anu IL was
Shly after a hot argument. and a plain
threat that II Stark did not lfave him. he
would hand him over TO the police and re-
veal ALL that he at last shook him on
The month was August; and with a
view TO economy, Willie had resolved to
pass the night In the streets. or at least
In the open air. At "A late hour. therefore.
he was slowly wandering through one OF
the narrow streets when sudden blow
on the temple landed him almost sense
less on the pavement. Al the same mo-
ment he was all but strangled from be-
hind, and then as swiftly stripped OF his
bundle. Jacket. and cap. and the few
shillngs he possessed, then treated TO a
few savage parting kicks and blows, and
left bleeding on the ground.
No one Witnessed the vicious assault
and robbery. and Willie got leave TO recov-
er at leisure. for not a soul looked near.
When he was able TO sit up and collect
his thoughts he was In n sorry plight.
| one OF his eyes was ALREADY so swollen
that ne could not open II; his face was
cut and bleeding his body one aching
| mass, and his clothes gone, all but his
| walstcoat and trousers. Supplied as he
was, however, with the brutal treatment.
he had sensc enough 20 reason out the
| whole affair. and attribute the robbery
| TO the real source
Bob Stark has arranged K out OF
| spite-.very likely IL was him that gripped
me behind and now I'm more vagabond-
| like than ever. Naehody wonid think OF
having onything to do wi me now. Who
| would look al me wi a black e'e2"
| Willie should have reported the rob-
berry to the police but ne did not. He
| could not bear 20 be brought out OF the
obscurity he courted, and show himself
| In his sad plight TO many who would
know him, and perhaps only despise him.
and say he should keep better company.
| IN mark n down ss n score against
stark and maybe pay him of some day. .
he resolved. I'm his slow quiet fashiop.
| "He has done a. thinking I'd 20 TO him
In nay strait and give In 20 all he wants.
but ne doesn't know me vet I'm glad he 4
done this: II shows what he's nc for"
| His only concern now was To get away
az far as possible from the place where
1 he was known. and might be at any mo-
ment recognized IN his deplorable condi-
| ton lie therefore gathered himself TO.
| gother and slowly crawled out OF the
| town I'm n westerly dlrec ton. His thoughts
were bitter enough, but on no one did he
! heap 80 much abuse as on himself Hs
had such a disreputable look. with hi,
4 blackcncd eye. cut face. and shirt sleeves
that even the ordinary tramps and beg
gars on the road stunned him. How h,
progressed along the road. or whittier h,
wandered. he could never afterwards tell
but he was found scnseless and all pu
dead In dry ditch at the roadside. neal