The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-17

% years ago. His father an officer IN the
British army, was killed In the Zulu war,
leaving widow and two children, Ben
and baby sister. The mother, through
evolutionary and musical talent, support
ed the children in comparative comfort
until she suddenly died. On the day OF
her burial, while a salute of honor was
being fired over her grave, the children
were deserted by their guardian, who left
them penniless and friendless in London.
Iney drifted into the White Chapel dis
trict and managed, during warm weather,
to exc out a precarious living Ben earn
ing few pennies a day as a newsboy,
street sweeper and bootblack. At night
they slept In alleys, under wagons, or
wherever shelter offered.
lhen came the winter days and on the
msnt OF the first snow storm of the sea-
son the homeless WAITS crawled into q
hogshead, which stood in the shadow OF
the Nelson monument, in Ira 'algar
square Ben wrapped his sister with his
thin coat to keep her warm. The snow
oflfted In upon them and the next morn
ing when Ben, benumbed, awoke his lit
ee companion was dead. The next day
she was buried in the public burial file d.
FOUR newsboys acting as bearers, and Ben
MADE the first great resolution of his life
mat ne would earn enough some day to
nave the body exhumed and laid to rest
beside their mother.
Inc sea had an attraction for him. He
visited the wharves until he secured a
pace as cabin boy with Capt. Holye, on
the snip Vangua d. On this vessel he re-
MAPPED several years and was promoted
70 De cooks assistant. The captain's
daughter, Mary, helped him with his stud
les ana he grew very fond OF her. One
cay While she was playing ball on the
"ecK' sudden lurch of the ship threw
ner overheard. Ben plunged after her and
WIN cons derable difficulty kept heI
snoat until both were hauled on board.
TOT this bravery, on his return to Lon
uoh' ne was presented with five pounds
oy the Royal Humane Society. He had
saved two pounds out of his wages and
al once proceeded to crafty his long
cherished desire. He had b g sisters body
removed from the public burial fed and
ourled by her mother. He then returned
10 the sea, this time as stewards as
slstant on the steamer Priscilla, Capt. Will
nam Hughes, from Rio de Janeiro to
London,
On the Priscilla was a feeble-minded
ooy whom Hughes had taken to sea In
leturn for 100 paid by the lads guar
Iians. This boy. from the time he left
LONDON, was subjected to gross indlg-
LES aHu crueltleS inflicted by the cap
tsih and his mate. On Christmas day the
outrages approached the climax. The boy
vas brought to mess and given only the
Zones T's which the ships dog had gnawed.
When the little fellow reached out his
ushn Tor some plum duff the mate struck
"'u. blow with carving knife, cutting
deep cash In his hand, The blood
epurieo on Ben, who tore up his only
"nte shirt to staunch the flow and make
oanuaSes. On New Years eve, as Ben
euo companion were on deck, they SO W
apt' Hughes and the mate bring the boy
c There was an alteration and loud
utns and the boy was struck. As he
nHeked With pain Capt. Hughes lifted
"n from the deck. carried him to the
n ana hurled him into the sea. There
still. e'''" 40" '''0" nv '
sen ana his fellow witness OF the crime
1@q nothing, but when they reached Lon
tn hen promptly Informed the murdered
guardians. Hughes and the mate
,Ie arrested, lricd. convicted upon Bens
lAony, ana were sentenced 10 b.
.1uted on tho night before his cNecn.
H.. ~ NeHgate prison Hughes confessed
1t ne had acted as principal or aeeee.
~ N tho murder 81 more than thirty
'''' Ia the SEINE way Most Of them