The San Francisco call., 1906-10-14
Burglar Since. the Earthquake
By George A. Van Smith.

she claims. driven by an irresistible
impulse to exercise that new-found
cunning that could successfully cope
with the probability of death by bullet
or arrest and exposure, dangers she
fully realized and appreciated.
All communication with the child is
denied. Her aunt, Katherine Hernen,
was denied admission yesterday to the
girls cell after she had been discov-
cred In an attempt to smuggle some
cakes by the policeman detailed to In
sure the IIttle prisoners solitude. A
representative of The Call gained the
wicket to the room where the little
girl spent the day In violent weeping.
II never wanted to steal or be out
nights before the earthquake" she said.
after the fire, when we went to live
In Webster street, 1 could not stay
In the house nights. Something /
could not resist made me go walking.
l wanted to go into houses. 1 knew
1t was wrong. I tried hard, but 1t
seemed as If I must go in. Some
times / found doors unlocked and /
went 1t. I did not always steal.
just wanted to go in and look around.
But sometimes when I saw pretty
things l could not leave them"
Did you not know you might be shot
or arrested?'
Yes, but I was not afraid. No. I
don't know why 1 stole. My mother
has always given me all / wanted.
did not need to steal, and did not
want to in the daytime. When 1 was
at school l was SO sorry and afraid
and would l-omise myself to be good
l never got into any trouble at school
or at home. l am fond of the school
and the sisters, and I got on SO well
with them. No, l never cared to play
with boys. or girls either. 1 had rath-
a y II lrn 70 NV
mother, but she is SO old and crippled
she cannot come.
'I don't remember how many houses
went into. A good many. Friday
night I went for walk about half past
seven. The door of the house where
the policeman found me was unlocked.
I am SO sorry for what have done.
have learned lesson 1 will never for
get and If they will let me go 1 will
never steal again."
She talked calmly enough, though
her frail body was shaken with ner-
vousness. At intervals her dropping
eyes sought those of the interviewer
and though red with weeping, they be-
trayed no evidence of fear. There was
a self possession entirely at variance
with the plainly exhibited bodily ner-
vous excitement.
Tessie is nearly IA years old. So
child or very old parents. Her father,
who died eight years ago. was SS years
OLD, 1T is said. OF his antecedents moth
Ing can be CLEANED from the reticent
aunt of the child, who, aside from the
mother, is her only known relative.
Ihe mother, Mrs. Sadie Hernen, is said
TO be 81 years old. She is crippled with
age and SO feeble she cannot visit her
daughter. She has apparently done
everything within her means for rhe
proper care and education of the little
girl.
The girl prisoners language and con-
quot bear out her assertion that she
got on we'll in school. Her acquire
ments are fully up to the standard for
age height, but thin and carries her.
sell languidly. There is the appear
ance Oh malnutrition, but nothing else
ABOUT her Well kept little person in
uica1ive OF the gamin. She has good
brow, but the rest of her face is weak.
me eyes, veiled under dropping lids,
are lack-iustre. A disproportionately
iarge nose surmounts thick, down
uraWn lips and weak chin. 1t is sui
len reticence, stiffness rather than the
cool caring exhibited in the night ex-
curslons covering period of about
SIX months This reticence is borne
out oy the fact that she has persistent
~ aVoiueu childish chumS and pastimes.
Inc girl has lived with her aged
nolher at 311 Webster street She
was arrested Friday night in the house
of Thomas CurIey. 2o72 Union street.
When arrested she told the police in
detail how she burglarized the resi-
oence OF Mrs. M r. Hall, 2005 Green
wien street. and since has admitted
entering other houses Apparently no
present thought has been given by the
tIfea IL. =
They have placed her in charge of the
matron at the Detention Hospital
wnere she is under the closest suryeil-