Youthful offender.
--A lad of eleven years, named James O'Connor, was brought before the Mayor yesterday, on the charge of stealing $35 from some unknown person. The robbery was effected at the ‘"Varieties,"’ on Franklin street, a few nights since. It appears that O'Connor and other lads, as is the custom with a certain description of the floating juvenile population, were lingering around the door of the play-house, importuning play goers for tickets. One old gentleman, described as hump-backed, with gray hair, and of venerable appearance, yielded to the solicitation of O'Connor, and gave him a ticket. In paying for it, he incautiously put his money in a side pocket, which being observed by O'Connor's less fortunate companies, they suggested to him the idea of stealing it, on which he successfully acted after entering the building. O'Connor afterwards gave $20 of the money to George McDonough, another lad, to keep, retaining the balance, which he told the Mayor he had spent for a variety of articles that had suggested themselves to his youthful imagination. McDonough finding the custody of the $20 too onerous, disclosed the fact to his brother, who informed Mr. Morris, a police officer, who caused the boy to be brought before the Mayor. It was in evidence that the father of O'Connor had gone to McDonough and demanded the $20, pretending it belonged to him. This modest request was denied. The Mayor reprobated his conduct in the particular referred to. The latter said the offender was too young to be taken hold of by the law, but that if he was reported again, he should find suitable quarters for him. Mr. Morris, the officer, was directed to retain the $20 note until claimed by its owner.
