The age-herald., 1901-03-09
The First Alley Syndicate.


 "h. Cle-k, said Judge Feagin in the Police Court yesterday what is the first number on today's programme?'
 ''The first number is four of a kind, your Honor-Mattie Scott, Emma John sing, Tim Tidipper and Jim Lightfoot All are accused of larceny"
 Here the four distinguished defendants arose and advanced.
 You four seem to work together" said the judge. You all kept step as you drew near as If you were in a quadrille. What Is the name of your quartette?" We are the Big Four of First Alley" said Tim. -. 'I see nothing large about you but your feet" said the judge. You ought to call yourselves the Big Eight"
 We do wear number eghts." said Tim, looking at his shoes which were tan color with large pearl buttons, surmounted with socks bearing perpendicular stripes Of red and black. But We goes tergether an Is called de Big Four
 Do you go on all fours or do all you four go on eights?" asked the judge.
 We goes on eights, Jedge, 'cept Emma, who wears a tenner."
 These defendants your Honor, would be better described, as the First Alley Syndicate" said an officer "They stole $S0 from the prosecutor
 This class of financial operations is getting entirely too common," said the judge. Was there anything uncommon in this particular case?"
 Tt war dis way, jedge, said the prose- cutor. "I war tervited to CT party an me an de defendants war playin' cards and I war sittin between Emma an Matte. who war interduced ter me as nice ladies, an when I left de house my $So war gone an I spicioned dat Miss Emma dar war de prevaricator."
 You mean that she lifted the money?" said the judge. =
 "Yes, sah. It war in CT pocket next ter her an she got next ter it.''
 An officer testified that the prosecutor complained to him last night that he had lost some money and wanted him to hunt for 1t. That It was the duty of po- licemen to hunt money and he started to find it. First went to the house where the party was, but nobody was there.
 
 her mattress. Emma pretended like she was asleep when he got there and when he found the money she said the prose cutor had given it to her. No. Pm a little too fast, judge. She said he gave 1t to Matte and she gave it to her.
 If you are too fast" said the Judge, "get the right time and continue"
 'I knew the gang said the officer, and found them all scattered around town. For some reason they had all left their happy homes"
 What is home without a mother, Judge" said Emma. We are all or phans and we left de old homestead in Fust Alley becase de memories wah too sad" Here Emma shed tear.
 Do not weep Emma," said the Judge; you will spoil the weather predictions, which promise fair weather today. You shall have a fair trial, whether you weep or not.'
 A witness said she was at the party. When the defendant left the others all left. In fact, the last she saw of them they were running. Tim said he had to go home and see his aunt Jim said he needed a change of climate; Matte said
 
 she heard somebody calling her and had to go and see what they wanted, and Emma said the room was too close and she needed fresh air Emma owed me dime and she give me CT dollar an tole me ter keep de change. Dis prosperity excited my 'spicions'
 Judge" said Emma, "I kin put my hand on my heart an swear nebber took dat money"
 'Is that the same hand you put In his pocket?" asked the Judge. You seem to be able to put that hand anywhere you want"
 Dat is CT right handy ,hand," said Emma.
 ''I think I'll put that right hand in jail." said the Judge. You can go with