Year: 1878




And | had the loser Of the money up
on the stand again directly.


You say you missed your pocket
book after leaving the store, sir ? l
inquired.


Yes, .ir-with seventy dollars in
IT.


You are sure ysu didn't take it with
you when you wentT


No sir, did not


You might have done So


But didn't slr.'


You couldn't have dropped it, then,
in your hurry as you went?


Il didn't have it, l left it Oh the
counter, near where the boy was put
ting up the goods, and I've no question
that he took it,


You came back how seon!


within five minutes or so.'


And the boy was gone !
Yes, slr, and the pocketbook, adj
ded the witness sharply.


That's all, sir / remarked.


And the gentleman sat down. 1 had
not made much progress as yet, bat |
next asked the lad to stand up, when
spoke to him kindly, and said


Johnny why did you hurry out that
night he says you did,


Cause mother was dreadful SICK
said he tearfully an me an my little
Neddy was all that she had to take care
of her. An went straight home and
didn't know nothln' bout no money no
way


You went home because yeur moth
er was sick. How long has she been
sick


A good while, SIR


But why didn't you return to your
work? Why were you absent three
days just then ?


Mothers dead, SIR said the boy,
sadly.


When did she die 2


That night, sir. An | staid away
cause | had to go to her funeral with
Neddy, an he's all alone now sir?


And you know nothing Of this lost
pocketbook p


Il have meyer seen it in all my life,
sir an l don't steal nothln'-never,
for poor mother allus said l must be
honest if starved and God would
know it If nobody else found It out an
that wicked boys go TO the bad place,
sir. never stole nothin' sir-neyer.


And here the little fellow burst into
tears, and could say no more. While
Il confes. twas wiping my own
eyes, briefly, l observed that his honor
was actually busily engaged in the
same occupation. But the court room
was close, and it was warm day
Perhaps it was persplratlon.


Your honor l said, after 8 moment
of silence and clearing of the throat,
the prosecution here have surely no
cause for conviction. dent believe
this boy knows any more OF this lost
money than you or l do. 1t has not
been found in his possession ; he had no
chance to spend it ; no one testities that
be ever had it, save Vn suspicion aud
l cannot think your honor will imprison
this child who has so touchingly though
innocently explained himself, upon
what is, at the most, but circumstantial
evidence. He says he Is parentless and
| think your honor will not doubt this
assertion. The dead mother, whose
form he has just laid under the sod was
plainly good, true woman, and John
had not been taught at home to be a
thief, evidently, l crave the leniency
of the court in this lads behalf, and |
ask that Johnny may be discharged,
since there is no direct evidence against
him.


You can 90, johnny said the clerk,
with unusual pleasantness for him, a
moment afterwards, as the judge said
something briefly to his subordinate,
and Immediately adjourned the court, to
the evident astonishment OF the boys
accuser.


! shook the poor fellows hand, took
him out Of the court room with me, told
him who l was, at his own request, and
saw him running down the street as
fast as his little legs would carry him
soon after the reversed decision Of hi,
honor. The result Of my voluntary ct.
fort in this affair was very gratifying tc
me, for felt assured the boy was limo.
cent. But the most agreeable part o.
the case, was yet in store Tor me.
About month afterwards 4 poorly
dressed lad entered my law Office, one
cold, raw morning, capin hand, whom
quickly recognized as Johnny, who
said


Good morning, Mr. S.. You wai
kind enough TO help me out, in the court
tother day, sir


Yes, remember you. Come to the
fire, Johnny ....~ .


Thank you sir. It's pooty cold, sir.
Very, where's your overcoat.'


"A what sir p
Your coat. Outside jacket


Bless you, hain't got none. But
don't mind it. I'm used to it, sir.
only camt TO thank you sir, au' 10 tel
you that IT'S all right about the pocket