PART SIXTHCHAPTER XXIII.From the very beginning of the Boyville association there has scarcely been a day without something of importance transpiring among the boys. It has been gradually building up, incidents and noble acts showing the willingness of these boys not only to do right themselves but to assist others.The work so humbly begun in 1892, with one hundred or more members, mostly the poorest boys of the streets, little outcasts, as they are often called, developed so rapidly under the self-governing plan, that in the early part of the year 1905 the books of the Boyville Newsboys’ Association showed a membership of over three thousand boys under fourteen years of age. This enrollment includes two hundred and fifty boys who started with the association as sellers and shiners of shoes, but who today have graduated from the street. The majority of this number are engaged in some business, lawyers, doctors, commercial travelers, clerks or working in some trade, and all ambitious not only to earn a living for themselves but also to lend a helping hand to thosewho are in need, ever having in mind the teachings of the association. The following will show how well some of the principles have been remembered and how long they remained intact.Early in January of 1905, a young man brought to the president an old pocket-book containing twenty-two dollars and sixty cents ($22.60), together with some letters, the contents of which revealed the fact that the owner was a poor woman and had been visiting her relatives to secure assistance in raising money to pay taxes, long since due, on her home. Names were given, but no residence.The president said to the young man: “You know we advertise what the boys find in the daily papers and do everything we can to seek the owner and—”“Yes, sir,” replied the young man, “I know all this and have been through it many years ago. That is just what I want you to do, please try to find the rightful owner. I want no compensation, and I don’t want my name mentioned in any way.”LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.As it was necessary to know who the finder was, so that after the expiration of thirty days the money could be returned to him, he finally gave his name and address. When he had left the office, something about his eyes reminded the president that he had seen him, somewhere many years ago. Bringing out the Newsboys’ book he found among the first names recorded eleven years ago, this young man’s. Following the name was: “Seller, and shiner, age eleven, poor parents, smart boy,” and on leaving the street, as a seller, became a graduate member. So, he was a newsboy eleven years ago, and still retained the desire to do something for others.About a week after the money was advertised, a very aged lady called. She minutely described the contents of the pocket-book; she said: “I was returning from a visit to my son, where I went to get $22.60 to pay taxes on my home. This amount included some back taxes. The property was already advertised for sale. What to do when I lost that money I did not know. My mental suffering was most intense. I walked from the depot towards the court house and did not miss my pocket-book until I crossed the bridge. Yes, this is mine.”During the recital of her story her eyes were filled with tears, and she showed the mental strain under which she was laboring. When thepocket-book and the money were handed to her, the change in her demeanor was beautiful to behold. When the young man was told to whom the money belonged and the great good it did, he said:“No money reward could pay me for this. I am only too glad we found the owner, especially as it belonged to so poor a woman.”Does it pay to be a life-member of The Boyville Newsboys’ Association?
PART SIXTHCHAPTER XXIII.From the very beginning of the Boyville association there has scarcely been a day without something of importance transpiring among the boys. It has been gradually building up, incidents and noble acts showing the willingness of these boys not only to do right themselves but to assist others.The work so humbly begun in 1892, with one hundred or more members, mostly the poorest boys of the streets, little outcasts, as they are often called, developed so rapidly under the self-governing plan, that in the early part of the year 1905 the books of the Boyville Newsboys’ Association showed a membership of over three thousand boys under fourteen years of age. This enrollment includes two hundred and fifty boys who started with the association as sellers and shiners of shoes, but who today have graduated from the street. The majority of this number are engaged in some business, lawyers, doctors, commercial travelers, clerks or working in some trade, and all ambitious not only to earn a living for themselves but also to lend a helping hand to thosewho are in need, ever having in mind the teachings of the association. The following will show how well some of the principles have been remembered and how long they remained intact.Early in January of 1905, a young man brought to the president an old pocket-book containing twenty-two dollars and sixty cents ($22.60), together with some letters, the contents of which revealed the fact that the owner was a poor woman and had been visiting her relatives to secure assistance in raising money to pay taxes, long since due, on her home. Names were given, but no residence.The president said to the young man: “You know we advertise what the boys find in the daily papers and do everything we can to seek the owner and—”“Yes, sir,” replied the young man, “I know all this and have been through it many years ago. That is just what I want you to do, please try to find the rightful owner. I want no compensation, and I don’t want my name mentioned in any way.”LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.As it was necessary to know who the finder was, so that after the expiration of thirty days the money could be returned to him, he finally gave his name and address. When he had left the office, something about his eyes reminded the president that he had seen him, somewhere many years ago. Bringing out the Newsboys’ book he found among the first names recorded eleven years ago, this young man’s. Following the name was: “Seller, and shiner, age eleven, poor parents, smart boy,” and on leaving the street, as a seller, became a graduate member. So, he was a newsboy eleven years ago, and still retained the desire to do something for others.About a week after the money was advertised, a very aged lady called. She minutely described the contents of the pocket-book; she said: “I was returning from a visit to my son, where I went to get $22.60 to pay taxes on my home. This amount included some back taxes. The property was already advertised for sale. What to do when I lost that money I did not know. My mental suffering was most intense. I walked from the depot towards the court house and did not miss my pocket-book until I crossed the bridge. Yes, this is mine.”During the recital of her story her eyes were filled with tears, and she showed the mental strain under which she was laboring. When thepocket-book and the money were handed to her, the change in her demeanor was beautiful to behold. When the young man was told to whom the money belonged and the great good it did, he said:“No money reward could pay me for this. I am only too glad we found the owner, especially as it belonged to so poor a woman.”Does it pay to be a life-member of The Boyville Newsboys’ Association?
PART SIXTH
From the very beginning of the Boyville association there has scarcely been a day without something of importance transpiring among the boys. It has been gradually building up, incidents and noble acts showing the willingness of these boys not only to do right themselves but to assist others.
The work so humbly begun in 1892, with one hundred or more members, mostly the poorest boys of the streets, little outcasts, as they are often called, developed so rapidly under the self-governing plan, that in the early part of the year 1905 the books of the Boyville Newsboys’ Association showed a membership of over three thousand boys under fourteen years of age. This enrollment includes two hundred and fifty boys who started with the association as sellers and shiners of shoes, but who today have graduated from the street. The majority of this number are engaged in some business, lawyers, doctors, commercial travelers, clerks or working in some trade, and all ambitious not only to earn a living for themselves but also to lend a helping hand to thosewho are in need, ever having in mind the teachings of the association. The following will show how well some of the principles have been remembered and how long they remained intact.
Early in January of 1905, a young man brought to the president an old pocket-book containing twenty-two dollars and sixty cents ($22.60), together with some letters, the contents of which revealed the fact that the owner was a poor woman and had been visiting her relatives to secure assistance in raising money to pay taxes, long since due, on her home. Names were given, but no residence.
The president said to the young man: “You know we advertise what the boys find in the daily papers and do everything we can to seek the owner and—”
“Yes, sir,” replied the young man, “I know all this and have been through it many years ago. That is just what I want you to do, please try to find the rightful owner. I want no compensation, and I don’t want my name mentioned in any way.”
LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.
LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.
LINING UP READY TO GO TO CHURCH.
As it was necessary to know who the finder was, so that after the expiration of thirty days the money could be returned to him, he finally gave his name and address. When he had left the office, something about his eyes reminded the president that he had seen him, somewhere many years ago. Bringing out the Newsboys’ book he found among the first names recorded eleven years ago, this young man’s. Following the name was: “Seller, and shiner, age eleven, poor parents, smart boy,” and on leaving the street, as a seller, became a graduate member. So, he was a newsboy eleven years ago, and still retained the desire to do something for others.
About a week after the money was advertised, a very aged lady called. She minutely described the contents of the pocket-book; she said: “I was returning from a visit to my son, where I went to get $22.60 to pay taxes on my home. This amount included some back taxes. The property was already advertised for sale. What to do when I lost that money I did not know. My mental suffering was most intense. I walked from the depot towards the court house and did not miss my pocket-book until I crossed the bridge. Yes, this is mine.”
During the recital of her story her eyes were filled with tears, and she showed the mental strain under which she was laboring. When thepocket-book and the money were handed to her, the change in her demeanor was beautiful to behold. When the young man was told to whom the money belonged and the great good it did, he said:
“No money reward could pay me for this. I am only too glad we found the owner, especially as it belonged to so poor a woman.”
Does it pay to be a life-member of The Boyville Newsboys’ Association?