Year: 1877

never could be harsh with auy one hav-
ing real love for his mother; more, the
moment that saw his case was a deserv-
ing one, was ready to exert myself to the
utmost 10 help him out of the mire. My
own mother had a bard struggle to keep
her harum-scarum boy in order; but soon
er than cause a tear 10 gather in her eye,
would have chopped off my right hand.
She was my idol whom l used 10 worship
in secret; and many time when she
thought me fast asleep, l have been peep.
ing out from the blankets, watching her
sewing, and wishing that l were strong
enough and big enough to work for her my.
self. But let me explain. received the
following note one morning as entered the
Office.


81 missed my purse when l reached
home, so my pocket must have been picked
somewhere between the Mansion House
and Finsbury Square,"


This brief communication was signed by
well-known banker, jolly old bachelor
living in Finsbury Square. He was lit
tie man and inclined 10 be fat but he had
large warm feart-as l had discovered
long beforehand seemed TO live in kind
body and envied by none. / soon felt
momentary surprise that thief had found
1t in his heart TO victimlze such man.


Calling at his house, the following en-
sued:


at is not so much The money that con-
Germs me-" he said Though the loss OF
that would be serious TO poor man, but in
the inner pocket l had slowed away some
papers and an old memorandum which
shall miss very much. If you just get me
them, you can let the poor wretch keep the
money"


This proposal was against all law and or
der, and he must have known it; but had
10 remind him of the fact.


"Ah, yes, know" he said in his quick
way with a merry smile. It's against the
law of course but you detectives can easi-
ly stretch point when you have mind
10; and besides, only throw out the hint.
Get the contents of the inner pocket-the
rest also, If you can"


"You did not feel yourself tugged or
jostled anywhere on your way homer


mo, felt nothing and did not miss the
purse till came"


Amer elciliug all the facts l could in con-
nection with the matter returned to the
office, determined to work with will to
trace his purse and its contents. But did
not even hear of il. No one among my
numerous acqainiances seemed particular
ly fiush of money; the empty purse was
not picked upanywhere or brought in aud
l began 10 fear it had left London and the
thief with it.


Bot little before ten o'clock next morn
ing, while we were chatting away, a slim
morsel of boy made his appearance, with
his eyes all red and swelled with crying,
and asked If this was the detectives Office.
We all stared around and gazed at The little
intruder. The straugest thing about the
boy was his "shyness"-he was a mere
shadow of boy, though he had prepos-
sessing little face, in spite of the blearing
effect OF the crying.


Being answered in the affirmative he re-
maned moment silent, during which l
could see, by tue quivering of his lip, that
he was struggling hard to appear manly
and firm, while making his next speech
he then suddenly produced the purse OF
Mr.. s., the banker, and hastily got Out
Tue words:


ar you please, Pm a thief-and mother
is dead, and I've come for you to put me ir
jail"


He was choking and shaking all over as
he got the words out, but II was no use. A
binding rush of tears came 10 his eyes
and the heavy purse dropped at his feet
There was a strange silence in the room
Nobody rushed forward with pair ofhand'
cuffs, or grasped him by the collar 10 hus-
tie off to the cell. He was so small, so for.
lorn and pitiful looking.


touched him gently on the shoulder.


whats your nameH" asked; but
was not prepared for the change which this
question produced. His face flushed up anc
tears burst out of his eyes, as he said;


my name is Willie Bell, but they cal
me Little Jlnks' now. That's why l rar
away from the House. But pitched in
to them before 1 left-not for that, but fol
something else." And the recollection
seemed to afford the little fellow kind o
fierce pleasure.


"Oh, so you ran away from the House.
1 suppose your mother was pretty poor
Willie-not we'll off-eh"


"Thaps it, sir" he cried with a suddeI
Intelligence flashing out OF his tearfu
eyes.


"That's how she died-Pm sure OF it