Year: 1877

Little JlnkS heart. III tile man nau klckcC


him. he would have been stone; but the


kind words drew from him Il convulsivt


sob. and must have set his brain reeling


for the next thing he was conscious of was


the policeman putting a sort Of fiery stuff


into his wouth out OF a flask and telling


him to keep up a good heart, for he would
not let anybody touch him.


They were friends in a moment.


1t ended, however, by the kind policeman


carrying him to his mother; and the poOl
woman, when she heard the account, re
ceived him with open arms, and there he
remained with her until the day of hel
death. and the day, indeed, Oh which he
stole the purse to keep her from starv.
ing.


When he brought the stolen purse in, he
found his mother dying. But the fol
lowing conversation took place between
them:


"Who gave it to you?" she managed to
ask, and then guilty. fearful remorse be-
gan to gnaw at Little Jinks' heart.


"A woman down there he managed to
say. "But could you not get up and walk
about, mother? You would look better
then, and perhaps you could eat some
thing


"No. Willie, dear. am afraid


Little Jinks seemed 10 see the words
that were coming. and great wall burst
from him, as he placed his little hand on
her mouth.


''Oh, mother do not say that, or will
die!' he wildly exclaimed. II will run
for dOctOr-Oh. how fast / will go-and
you will be well tomorrow, will you not,
morhcr?''


But she only strained him to her breast.


pray after me, Willie," she family
whispered. Then, choking with grief and
burning with sense of shame. he repeat
ed after her a little prayer that God would
look after a poor little boy who would
soon have no mother to look after him,
and make him grow up to be great and
good man.


After speaking the prayer, Little Jinks
had but one thought-how could he let
his mother die without confessing his
crime. Every moment it was at the tip of
his tongue, but then he thought the awful
news would strike her dead in his arms.
He let her sleep on willie he watched her
breathing.


Toward morning she stirred slightly and
opened her eyes.


Kiss me. Willie." she said


1t was only whisper, but he heard ey-
cry word.


Now put your arms around me-tight-
er. tighter


These were her last words. Her breath
lag became slower and slower; and then
her eyelids dropped.


Wilie's screams brought in some of the
neiyhbors.


They took him gently from the room.
and were kind and good to him, poor
though they were; but when they told
him that his mother was away somewhere
and would not be back for while, he had
such a wild burst of grief that they were
afraid OF his slender life. But he became
calm at last. and then he insisted on going
he would not tell where, but he
would go.


He slipped out when they We're in the
next room and found his way to Scotland
Yard.


Thus ended his story.


didn't take him away aud lock him in
Il cell. No, took him horne to my wife,
and then paid visit to the banker. After
giving him the purse and its contents en-
tire and unbroken, l told him Little Jinks'
story pretty much as have now put it be-
fore the reader. As 1 have already indi-
Gated he was of that decided class called
soft-hearted, and long before was finished
ne was blowing and wiping his eyes, and
finally crying and sobbing like a child.
But when stopped and asked him if he
wished to press the case, he started right
back in his chair, and looked perfectly
fierce.


''Mr. Reynolds" he said, edo you take
me for a monster! No." he added, after
minute, IL will not press it-nor will let
you press it. Do you hear me? l am de-
will see Willie-you'll let me
see him, won't you? l think shall like
Willie, and perhaps Willie might like me.
This is big house. too; he wouldn't ill
up much space in it; and, besides, he'd be
to talk to. But, Mr.. Reynolds,
you say another word about
pressing the case, as you call it, I'll kill you
on the spot!'