Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1870-07-01
NEWS CHILDREN OF NEW YORK

We extract from Packard's Monthly the
following sketch of the "News Children of
New York" which cannot fail to be read
with interest by all.
First, as TO the boys. Their manner Of
life at the present time is in strange and
pleasant contrast with what it WAS dozen
wears aro, at which time. indeed, my rela-
lions with them we're most intimate. There
we're no newsboy lodging houses then.
Our hero Of the bulletin was the veriest
vagabond. On his feet all day. hoarse
with shouting the names of his journals,
WITH perhaps, rough and ready synopsis
of what they were supposed to contain,
tired, wet, hungry, and like enough sick,
his shelter at night was, in most cases, the
interior Of an empty box, cavernous door
sloop, or under pier hole, in which he
could manage to crawl. II not more bold,
he was much worse than his successor of
the present dav. With all the vices Of the
latter. he had none of the virtues which the
Cbildren's Aid Society-all honor to its
name-has succeeded in developing.
In '5S or SO was acquainted with, and
became Interested in number of news
boys.
The most noteworthy instance I can bring
to mind at present was that OF little fellow
named Jerry McCabe. ] had desk in an
Office in N ssau street, and Jerry brought
me the Evening Post regularly for long
time. He was pockmarked. cross.eycd,
and had deep. triangular scar on his left
temple but was otherwise well favored. with
keen eyes, and sharp, precocious features.
| should iudge that he was about thir-
teen. but camn.folowing in the world $
warfare had added years to his appearance,
and even the tone of his voice was strong,
unhesitating and man like. In warm
weather he was barefooted, and in winter he
navicated in an unseaworihy pair Of num-
Der elevens, which were but poor protection
10 his little feet, the bare toes of which sci
dom failed to assert their individuality
somewhere in the middle Of the leath-
er.
He was always ragged, swore roundly and
and gambled with his compeers; but once
saw him give two pennies to decrerit
nerress, and thereafter regarded him with
a friendly eye. My opinion If his moral
conduct, however. was not improved BY the
fact that he frequently presented himself to
me with darkened eye. OF some other in-
dication ofrecent fisticufs.
One day. when our acquaintance had
rinened sufficiently to warrant the presnmp-
ton. ! took him to task for the latter deln-
quency.
"Bui, when they goes an PITCHES into a
feller all the time, what's cove 10 do sir
asked Jerry. splitting upon his fingers and
gently sopping his latest visual obscura-
ton.
"But do not notice that any cf your
comrades have black eyes so often as your
self" said ]. Glow happens it that you
are so often particularly pitched into,
Jerrv?''
"Iou Sec sir, they goes for ms swag-
that's their little game.'
"Swag-ah, I understand, 'swag means
money. So they are jealous at the result of
vour commercial ability you sell more pa
pers than they p
"Well. sometimes" replied Jerry, taking
from his pocket cigar STUMP, preparatory
to lighting it upon his departure. "But
t,nt amt it, quite. I alters licks 'em at
chuck penny. an they gifts mad, an swears
as how don't play on the square
now began to have perception Of the
real state Of the case. ] had q successful
gambler before me--perhnps an embryo
Morrissey-or or any other Congressman.
"Do yon play ON the square. as you call
it 2" ! asked.
At first he drew himself up with an air
of injured innocence, that would have done
credit to a veteran of the silver box,
hnt presently his eye twinkled roguishly.
He drew something from his POCKET, and
said. "Heads or tails, sir p
"Heads."
A broad penry piece twirled aloft and
came down tails. Try again sir
'Tails'
u came down heads
rnads do-er s''essce. 7ai e~e-- tine
y