Boys' Homes.

the court , were p laces of El-fame : the resorts of criminals and persons of abandoned character . HoAvever , my mind AA'as made up , and I determined , at all costs , to attempt the recovery of my boy . Approaching the street door one of the constables knocked loudly . After an interval , during AA'hich there was no response , he knocked again . I stood on the opposite side of the court watching the AvindoAV Avhere the light AA'as . At the second knock it AA'as extinguished , and in response to a third knock half of the windoAV AA'as opened and a Avoiuan ' s head appeared . " What do you AA'ant ? " asked a

Avoman ' s gruff voice . The constables thought it better to hide in the shadoAv of the door below , Avhile I replied , from the opposite side , " I want a boy Avho has run aAvay from the Home , and Avho is UOAV upstairs . " No other reply AA'as giA'en to this except a muttered oath ; then the windoAV Avas violently closed . Repeated knocks failed to obtain any further response . The haE door of the adjoining house AA'as , hoAvever , ajar , and I penetrated as

cautiously as I could , using my bull ' s-eye lantern , and found the passage led into a little yard at the back . This yard Avas contiguous AA'ith a similar enclosure at the back of the house Avhieh AA'e desired to enter . One of the constables folloAved me to this yard and remained there , the other AA'atched the front of the house , whilst I climbed the fence between the two yards ancl scrambled clown on the other side , getting one leg and foot AveE soaked in the water-buttinto which I incautiously stepped .

, Finding the back door of the house open , I boldly entered , and using my lantern , discovered- a staircase midway , AA'hich I ascended , having agreed beforehand upon the signal Avhich woidd bring the policemen to my assistance . The constables had no Avarrant , and it AA'as a serious responsibility for them to enter even such a house unless a definite charge had been made , or positive proof obtained of the boy ' s presence there .

I am not ashamed to say my heart beat Aiolently as I stood outside the door of that room on the second floor , from the AA'indoAv of AA'hich Ave had seen the light . I knocked , but there Avas no response except the sound of hurried moA'ements and suppressed voices within . Turning the handle , I entered the room , throAA'ing the light of my lantern on the inmates . The embers of a fire , almost out , still flickered in the grate . Two fierce Amazon-looking women crouched OA'er it , and although in a state of semiintoxicationthey remained up to this moment comparatively quietand I AA'as in hopes

, , of attaining my object AA'ith out much trouble . Having looked round the room in vain for some time in search of the young fugitive , at last I espied a small form lying covered Avith bedclothes on a mattress in the corner . Turning the light of my lantern on this object , I Avas satisfied it Avas my boy . Finding I Avas alone , one of the Avomen noAV advanced . " What do you AA'ant here , you ? Get out of this roomAA'EI yer ? " "I want that boy I see ling on the

, y bed . He belongs to our Home , ancl ran away to-day with a new suit of clothes , so you had better give him up at once . I must haA'e him . " Her reply was an oath , aiid a declaration that I had better keep my hands off . Again I explained that the lad had been given a neAV suit of good clothing , ancl AA'as induced to run away from the Home , in order , as I suspected , to sell his clothing ; but , I added , if " he was at once iven I would look over the offenceIt Avonld perhaps have been better if

g up . I had not been so bold . ' The women noAV felt satisfied that I AA'as quite alone , and imagining that no one was near to help , rushed at me with furious threats and gestures . I did the best I could under such trying circumstances , ancl getting into a corner with my back to the waE and door , I defended myself ( no easy task ) from the assaults of these furious creatures .

Finding , however , that I was likely to get- into serious trouble , I picked up an old boot which lay near me on the floor and flung it with aE my might against the windovV As I expected , it broke the g lass and fell on the pavement below . I now shouted loudly , "Come up , " aE the time keeping my eyes upon the AA'omen , and vvarding off their blows as well as I could . Not one moment too soon was the heavy tread of the constables heard upon the staircase . They made a mistake . and entered the wrong room , but . soon rectified this , and were by my side . Their presence , however , seemed to