The Washington herald., 1909-06-13

Inspector Robert Bosrdman. assistant
superintendent OF police. heard a pathetic
story last night. told by a serenteen-year-
old orphan girl
Il falls 70 the lot OF Inspector Board
man TO listen 20 such stories nearly every
day. but the story OF the girl was IN
usually pathetic and exceptional in many
ways
The girl is Miss Helen Nice. OF 60 z
street northwest She had the appear
ance OF a schoolgirl. fraiI. delicate. and
small OF stature. She wore a simple,
white dress. reaching just above her
ankles. when she appeared at police head
quarters. and her wavy. blond hair hung
down her back She wore no hat and
carried q small bundle IN her arms.
Miss Nice has no relatives IN Wash
inston and only a few friends. Her
parents died years ago, leaving her 20
earn her own living. she has been work.
ing as cashier in an F street restaurant
for weeks. and boarded at the z street
address
visited the Resort.
On Friday nigh; last the girl was asked
20 accompany two young men % a pleas
ure resort near Washington. She had
known one OF them FOR nearly a year.
but the second man was a stranger. He
appeared pleasant and the girl accepted
the Invitation
At the resort the girl danced alter
nately with the men. took In the auuse-
ments. and enjoyed herself. II was nearly
10 O'Clock when she suggested going home.
but her escorts demurTed saying Il was
toe early 20 leave the resort
Miss Nice agreed 70 stay for one more
dance She carried a handbag, IN which
was her weeks salary. Near the end OF
the dance one Of the men snatched the
handbag from the girl. and ran from the
pavilion. In a few minutes the orches-
ira ceased playing and Miss Nice walked
with her partner % a seat The man
sat down beside the girl for a minute,
and then jumped up and ran from the
pavilion. The girl could not sea whsre
he went. and waited. thinking the men
had deserted her IN fun. and would re-
turn in few minutes.
Suddenly. she was startled BY some
thing striking the floor al her feet. and
looking down she saw II was her hand
bag. She picked Il up. and found Il
had been opened and robbed All the
money. trinkets. and everything carried
in the purse had been removed. sun
thinking her escorts were playing a
practical joke. Miss Nice waited for their
return. They did not return. although
she waited for nearly an hour
Then she arose and searched for them.
but a few minutes before midnight she
was satisfied they were not IN the
grounds Robbed. abandoned. and alone.
The girl did not know what to do. She
was without car fare. and did not know
how 20 obtain money 10 return home.
Too modest 10 approach a stranger and
ask for assistance, the girl sat down
on bench and cried. The throngs OF
pleasure seekers had left and only a few
persons wandered about the resort.
Gave Her Assistance.
An attendant found the girl. ana learn
ing her predicament. offered assistance
Miss Nice accepted the kindly proner OF
aid. and was given money with which 70
buy ticket 10 the city She rode home
alone. Yesterday she yas on the verge OF
prostration from worry and was unable
20 go 20 work. She sought one OF the
young men who had deserted, and found
him last night az his place OF enaplov-
ment In Pennsylvania avenue hotel.
He refused 70 recognize her. and when
she asked TO have her money returned
he laughed and said ne had never seen
her before.
Miss Nice then appealed 10 InspectCr
Boardman. She told the story betwe,
sobs and appeared 10 be greatly agftated
and nervous.
II I had a father or brother 20 helm
me. she said. 1T would be different
but am all alone I needed the money
they stole from me, and I don't know
what an going 70 do until I can earn
more suppose the people in the house
where board VIII let ne stay there
another week. but cannot face them
tonight without the money
Inspector Boardman was touched bv
the girls plea. He told her he could
not give her assistance. The :heft. he
explained, had been committed IN vfr-
ginia. where the Washington police have
no authority.
Unable 10 AID Her.
Miss Nice met this objection by saw
ing the men whc Rad robbed her were
in Washington
Cant you have them arrested and
tell the Virginia police about IT,
The assistant superintendent Of police
was surprised at this question from so
young a girl. but he told her he could
do nothing.
Can't I find a policeman on the street
and ssk him TO arrest the men? I know
Were they work. and I can find them
Maybe the policeman could scare them
into giving me back the money"
Inspector BoardHan explained that this
could not be done, and the girl departed
She was sobbing bitterly when seen BY
reporter, and said. Il don't know what
I viii 60 now. The police are the only
rao-fe N1-Ho 01n Hof~