Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1857-03-25
EBENsBURG, MARCH 25, 1857.

large sum of money When lad leaves
the service, or rather the protection of the
society, the balance in his favor in the bank
is paid to the superintendent, to be laid out
for his benefit Many have by this means
been apprenticed; some have obtained outfits
for emigrating; and some good clothes to en-
ter respectable situations.
The average number of boys employed by
the Red Society rose from twenty-four in
1852 to forty-eight in 1856; and their earn
ings in the aforementioned year amounted to
91432 IS. I'd. The Yellow Society, the
youngest branch, has been established only
two years average number of boys, twenty
eish. aud -thirty-two; ana aggregate earnings
for the two years, 9S94 lis. 4ad But the
Blue Society Cast London) possesses feat
ure in its administration peculiar to itself
!" It goes"-to use the words of jealous
promoter of this branch" still lower in the
scale than the other two; for while they employ
only those boys who have homes, We the
Blue-take the houseless and most destitute,
cleanse them from their filth and vermin, and
so completely change their outward appear
ance, that their former acquaintance SCARCELY
know them again" To accomplish this oh
ject, and in connection with the society, a
Refuge has been fitted up, in which twenty
one boys are clothed fed, lodged, educated,
and taught tailoring, shoe-making, and shoe
blacking. Originally, the boys brought their
dinners with them, and even breakfasts,
which they ate before leaving headquarters
But as it vas found thoir appetites returned
sharply before evening, the committee provi-
ded a refreshment-room on their premises,
which was conducted by a matron who receiy-
ed the profit, and bore the risk of the depart
ment, Bread and butter, eggs, herring, pies,
oranges, pudding, coffee, and soup were there
consumed by the boys after the labors of the
day were over. This also kept the so-disposed
shoe-blacks from adjourning to neighboring
coffee-shops to supper.
To enter the Refuge above mentioned,
note of recommendation from the superinten-
dent OF the Ragged Schco must always be
brought by the candidate for admission, when
a colloquy to the following tenor takes place
'' Where do you live :"
60 / live nowhere, sir"
Where do you sleep?"
" Anywhere, sir
" Where are your parents?''
Sc Dead, SIR" -
How long since p
&C Father about four years, mother one
:" How have you got your living since?"
Doing anything, sir"
60 Can you read p
=. 4 little, sr''
&c How long since you had shirt on:?"
't don't know, sir"
&c Are you willing to work -
Sc les, sir .
az Do you know how to get your living ?"
GO No sir
But letter of introduction from the su-
perintendent of Ragged School is not al
ways essential Misery and destitution have
sometimes been the sole recommendations
g We have now"-to quote again the gentle
man above alluded to-~a very superior lad,
who has been respectfully brought up, and
can read and write well; but who, on account
of the loss of both parents, became quite
destitute, and was brought to me by our boys
In perishing condition. We expect to make
an inspector of him..
If approved of, the boy is admitted at once,
conducted TO the dormitory, washed, fed,
housed, equipped in the blue uniform, and
instructed in the crafts we have already emu
mer ated.. Since the formation of the Refuge,
322 boys have been admitted, of whom 169
left it of their own accord, AZ were dismis-
sed as ncorrigible, and 106 were were re-
claimed, of whom several were once reputed
thieves. These are important facts and the
committee, in report recently. express their
belief that it cannot be shown, by any other
society that 106 boys have been effectually
from the streets, and put into the
way of obtaining their own living cheaply
the average cost of each hoy being only
FL. A great feature in the society again is,
that the boys help to pay the expenses incur
red in reclaiming them.
We have now briefly to notice the means
adopted to enforce discipline, and to carry out
this beneficial system of training. It's not to
be supposed that this is by any means an easy
task; not only great patience but great tact
must be employed, in dealing with the variety
of characters that are introduced to the man
ayers or superintendents of the societies. Of
course, the chief object is to gain the child's
and to make him sensible OF the
obligations he is under to those who thus in
terests themselves so much in his behalf. He
is also shown how much it is his own interest
to cooperate with those who undertake to pro-
vide for his future and direct his steps.
But this is not altogether sufficient A regu-
lar course of control is necessary, and it has
been fonnd that this cannot work without q sys-
tenn of rewards and punishments Fines, for
late hours, absence, or other mlsbehavlor
from one division to a lower,
either Prominently or for limited period;
Saspensi01s from work for fixed time Cen
orally speaking, the boys acquiesce in the JUS
tice of thier sentence, and willingly submit
to its execution. The system of rewards con-
sist in giving prizes in money. varying from
sixpence to half-a crown, and amounting IN
all to ten shillings. presented to the two boys
n each division whose monthly earnings have
been largest; medals. presented to the first
boys in threo first divisions; and promotion,
rom lower to higher division. The results