Putnam patriot., 1916-09-01
BOYS ESCAPE
Beat It While the GOiug'S food" Car
 fare Money Returned
Youngsters l4 Years Old Out 10 See the
 World

Joseph Dionne and his eolored chum, Alexander Lee, both IA years old. who were locked up at lthe police station last Wednesday afternoon, as reported in the PATRIOT, solved a difficult problem for the authorities os leaving for parts unknown of their own accord and voiition.
 The boys were turned over to the traffic officer by the conductor of the ear arriving in Putnam from Norces ter at 5 85 Wednesday evening, Ai- though they had paid their fare rem Worcester and had 50 cents remaining between them the conductor said he was afraid II they went into the town of Killlngly they would be put in quarantine. He thought it best that they be taken care of.
 The boys admitted at once that they had run away from their homes in New Britain. Inquiries made of the New Britain police showed their state ments in this respect to be true. IL was further learned that it was not their first ofiense and the New Britain officers stated that they were tired Of sending after them. They also said that the parents of the lads had lost patience with them and did not care what WAS done with them.
 Friday morning the boys were ar raigned charged with being incortigi. bles and through their guardian ad Item, A. 5. Macdonald, plead not guilty.
 After short hearing il was decided 10 again call up the New Britain of. delals, who were told that unless they were willing to do something the boys would be discharged. Il WAS arranged that money be sent to pay their fares home with the understanding that they be put in charge of a conductor who would see that they got there.
 The boys seemed to enjoy their ad venture and spent the time at the pos lice station whistling and singing. AL EAtAA1EA VI h5 AAAN iAt0aA hAkAhA 0A AAAN pair. Although born in the big city of New York he was a typical little Southern darkey with a polite man. nerism. Alexander said that they left New Britain with 3 bigger guy "ANe went to Meriden and then to Worcester said the little fellow, "and there the other guy went into a moving picture show and sneaked us l don like New Britain, it's a tough place" All the same Alexander said he wanted to go home.
 Not to keep the youngsters locked up in cells for so long time Sergeant Julius CoFdier allowed them the free. dom Of the corridor in front of the cells. When the officer left early in the afternoon the whistles and the voices of the lads were sending forth the latest rag time melodies. When he returned the music had ceased.
 "When I got back, said Officer Cordier, "I didn't hear a sound. 1 thought perhaps the boys had gone to sleep. l went in and looked in every cell but they were not there. then discovered that they had escaped"
 The boys had climbed to the top of the row of cells, loosened a bar on transom window and squeezed through. A woman nearby saw them come ont and said they went around the corner "like lightning
 Meantime the money, Sl.70, had been sent from New Britain. This had to be returned. It is a safe as- sumption that when Alexander tells his adventure to other pals he will say "We was locked up by dem bulls in Putnam and had good time and den sneaked em."