The Stranger and the Starving Boy

On the evening of August 10th, 1888, a scene of excitement occurred on the steamer when a man in citizen's dress suddenly grasped a boy by the collar and shouted, 'He is a robber!' The passengers soon gathered, sure of it, and when a search began, the crowd wanted a robber and desperate villain. They went about their work with zeal. After some maneuvering, the man who had stowed away was found hidden under some furniture on the lower deck. The mate produced a revolver and ordered the fellow to come out. The desperate one came forth. He was a boy of fifteen, ragged, dirty, and holding something wrapped in a newspaper, but he had no weapons. 'He's the one who robbed me!' shouted the victim. The packet was opened. Instead of loot, their eyes rested on a half-eaten loaf of bread. 'I haven't stolen anything to eat for two days,' said the boy, his blue eyes filled with tears. 'He's a thief, and I'll send him to State Prison!' the man exclaimed. 'By gum!' growled a voice from the gangway, and a fat, red-faced man pushed into the crowd. 'Boy, who are you?' 'Tim Williams.' 'Where's your home?' 'Nowhere!' 'Did you rob this man of that loaf of bread?' 'Yes, sir, but I was starving.' The fat man reached into his pockets, pulled out a nickel, and handed it to the baker. 'By gum, I stand by the boy! Anybody who lays a hand on that boy has got to climb over me!' Fifty men cheered the fat man and groaned the baker. The captain agreed to let the boy wash up, and the stranger promised to find him clothes and take him home, pledging to help better his fortunes.